Charging

About this range

Keep your batteries charged and your camp powered with our 12V charging range. It covers Projecta multi stage battery chargers, Nomad lithium batteries with Bluetooth, and Mean Mother power control boxes, Anderson style connectors and USB charging panels.

Buy online with Australia-wide shipping, or have your charging setup supplied and installed at our Burwood workshop in Melbourne's east. Call 03 9808 8966 to talk through your 12V plans.

20 products

Buying guide

Dual battery and 12 V power explained

A second battery runs your fridge, lights and charging without touching the starting battery. Modern vehicles and lithium batteries change how that system should be built.

  1. Smart alternators

    Many late-model vehicles have smart alternators that vary their voltage. A simple isolator doesn't charge a second battery well from these, so a DC-DC charger is recommended (Redarc).

  2. Where lithium can go

    Lithium batteries must not go in the engine bay: the heat is too much (Redarc, Enerdrive). They go in the cabin, tub or canopy.

  3. Charge it correctly

    Lithium needs a charger with a lithium profile, and most can't be charged below 0 C unless the battery is heated. Don't mix battery brands or sizes in one system (Redarc).

  4. Sizing solar

    Work out how many watt-hours you use a day and divide by 5 to 6 sun hours to size your panels. A panel laid flat can lose up to 38% of its output (Enerdrive).

Choosing 12V charging and power gear

Start by adding up what you need to run. A fridge, lights and phone charging over a weekend is a very different load to a week of remote touring, and that maths decides how much battery capacity you need. Lithium batteries such as the Nomad LiFePO4 range are a popular touring choice, while a multi stage charger keeps everything topped up between trips.

Connections and control matter as much as the battery itself. Anderson style plugs are the common standard for high current 12V connections, and Mean Mother panels make it easy to add sockets and USB charging where you need them, with Projecta covering multi stage charging duties. If you are planning a dual battery setup, plan the wiring, fusing and charging source together rather than piece by piece.

Related categories

Common questions

Do I need a DC-DC charger?

If your vehicle has a smart alternator, yes: isolators charge poorly from them. A DC-DC charger also gives the second battery the right charging profile, including for lithium (Redarc).

Can a lithium battery go under the bonnet?

No. Battery makers say lithium batteries can't handle engine bay heat and must not be installed there (Redarc, Enerdrive).

Lithium or AGM?

Lithium needs a charger with a lithium profile, a location out of the engine bay and, below 0 C, a heated battery to charge. Compare usable capacity and weight on each battery's specifications, and follow its maker's mounting guidance.

How much solar do I need for a fridge?

Add up your daily use in watt-hours, then divide by 5 to 6 sun hours (Redarc). Allow extra if the panel will lie flat or sit in shade.

Can I run my fridge off the starting battery?

You can, but you risk a flat battery and no start. A second battery with a DC-DC charger keeps the starting battery for the engine.

Keep going

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