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UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: 8weekly on December 01, 2016, 09:50:55 pm

Title: Running pump off van battery?
Post by: 8weekly on December 01, 2016, 09:50:55 pm
Following the other thread and knowing the issue with split relays on new vans, what's the problem with running off the van battery?
Title: Re: Running pump off van battery?
Post by: robert mitchell on December 01, 2016, 10:24:15 pm
Following the other thread and knowing the issue with split relays on new vans, what's the problem with running off the van battery?


I did it for about a year with no real problems , you will probably have to change battery more often though and when it does go your van wont start .  If you stay in one place for ages you may run it down and not be able to start the van .
Title: Re: Running pump off van battery?
Post by: Darren H on December 01, 2016, 10:43:53 pm
Been using van battery for 6 years changed battery a few times but never had a problem.
Title: Re: Running pump off van battery?
Post by: Matt. on December 01, 2016, 10:51:57 pm
Same ere been running off van battery, I also don't use controller as I like to get as much water as possible on the glass and had van about 4 years now, changed me battery last winter.

Obviously if u stationary for more than 3-4 hrs there is a risk of running it flat,  but u will noticed the flow of water coming out the brush slowing down which is a sign to go run the van for 10 mins.

If u on a job were u can leave the van running the flow is great
Title: Re: Running pump off van battery?
Post by: 8weekly on December 02, 2016, 03:26:57 pm
That's what I'll do then with the new Transit.  ;D
Title: Re: Running pump off van battery?
Post by: Smurf on December 02, 2016, 03:36:12 pm
Best make a habbit of parking yer van on a hill facing down.  That way when it don't start you don't have bump start it by pushing the bloody thing.  ;D
Title: Re: Running pump off van battery?
Post by: 8weekly on December 02, 2016, 03:45:37 pm
Best make a habbit of parking yer van on a hill facing down.  That way when it don't start you don't have bump start it by pushing the bloody thing.  ;D
I'll switch back if we get problems, but we're nearly all domestic so I shouldn't think we'd ever be running long enough to drain the thing. I'll bet the split charger will start working when the pump drains the battery a bit so it goes below 80%!
Title: Re: Running pump off van battery?
Post by: SeanK on December 02, 2016, 04:41:40 pm
Best make a habbit of parking yer van on a hill facing down.  That way when it don't start you don't have bump start it by pushing the bloody thing.  ;D
I'll switch back if we get problems, but we're nearly all domestic so I shouldn't think we'd ever be running long enough to drain the thing. I'll bet the split charger will start working when the pump drains the battery a bit so it goes below 80%!

Two questions,
Split charger for one battery ?
One battery, Why ?
Title: Re: Running pump off van battery?
Post by: gto on December 02, 2016, 05:05:28 pm
i had a bad alternator a month a go, and didnt know it. i got to my first job cleaned and the van wouldnt start.
i had to walk over a mile to the nearest battery place i new of.

your going to risk the van not starting every day.  my leisure battery cost me £58 off ebay 5 years ago.
its not worked that hard. but its lasted well.
Title: Re: Running pump off van battery?
Post by: 8weekly on December 02, 2016, 05:18:05 pm
Best make a habbit of parking yer van on a hill facing down.  That way when it don't start you don't have bump start it by pushing the bloody thing.  ;D
I'll switch back if we get problems, but we're nearly all domestic so I shouldn't think we'd ever be running long enough to drain the thing. I'll bet the split charger will start working when the pump drains the battery a bit so it goes below 80%!

Two questions,
Split charger for one battery ?
One battery, Why ?
The new Transit Custom has a split charger fitted, but it doesn't work because of the new eco engines. The other van is a 2005 Boxer and SCR works fine. I just charge the leisure battery in my truck but that's ok because it's not full time anyway so it lasts a few days between charges.
Title: Re: Running pump off van battery?
Post by: Matt. on December 02, 2016, 06:13:51 pm
If ur van battery is in decent nick u will be able to run a single pump for minimum 3 hrs before even thinking about ya battery, if u running 2 pumps direct u will have easy a hour stationary.

I have had the van battery run flat in the past on a few occasions in last some many years but I carry jump leads with me, it's no big deal.

Not sure we're battery is located in transit van but in trafic it's under the floor In front of passenger seat, so easy enough to run through into the back. My pumps are screwed into bottom of bulk head, so outlet nipple into hose  around the back of tank through the pump then into di bottles at other end of tank
Title: Re: Running pump off van battery?
Post by: dazmond on December 02, 2016, 06:17:59 pm
if you want to give yourself some hassle run off the van battery! ::)roll

i cant believe some of you guys would leave your new(ish) vans running while your round the back of a property cleaning.

your asking to get your van nicked.

also why run the risk of not being able to start the van due to a flat battery?its just hold ups and irritations during your working day that you could do without for sure.(and are entirely avoidable).
Title: Re: Running pump off van battery?
Post by: Matt. on December 02, 2016, 06:22:37 pm
I would only leave the van running if in a secure area, I have ran the battery dry ( twice ) wen doing Chester race course.

A lad ran it dry a few weeks back doing an over night job on an event in a secured area, which I told him to run the van after 3 hrs but he didn't listen.
Title: Re: Running pump off van battery?
Post by: LWC on December 02, 2016, 06:25:53 pm
You dont need to leave van running...i never have had the need to.  If you're really "that" stressed about the van battery "possibly" running flat, buy a jump pack, £30 - £40 and jump it...even tho you wont need to.
Title: Re: Running pump off van battery?
Post by: duncan h on December 02, 2016, 06:45:23 pm
If you are that worried, carry a spare battery and jump leads
Title: Re: Running pump off van battery?
Post by: ObiwanK on December 02, 2016, 07:07:45 pm
If you are that worried, carry a spare battery and jump leads

Or just run off the spare battery ffs
Title: Re: Running pump off van battery?
Post by: dd on December 02, 2016, 07:09:33 pm
if you want to give yourself some hassle run off the van battery! ::)roll

i cant believe some of you guys would leave your new(ish) vans running while your round the back of a property cleaning.

your asking to get your van nicked.

also why run the risk of not being able to start the van due to a flat battery?its just hold ups and irritations during your working day that you could do without for sure.(and are entirely avoidable).
100% correct. Some days I am in the same road/close all day. Often I will spend the whole day in one village. Do a lot of guys on here drive long distances between jobs on a daily basis?
Title: Re: Running pump off van battery?
Post by: Darren H on December 03, 2016, 11:34:26 am
I've spent hour's in the same place and never had a problem with starting the van .
Title: Re: Running pump off van battery?
Post by: Frankybadboy on December 03, 2016, 04:18:45 pm
Best make a habbit of parking yer van on a hill facing down.  That way when it don't start you don't have bump start it by pushing the bloody thing.  ;D
I'll switch back if we get problems, but we're nearly all domestic so I shouldn't think we'd ever be running long enough to drain the thing. I'll bet the split charger will start working when the pump drains the battery a bit so it goes below 80%!

Two questions,
Split charger for one battery ?
One battery, Why ?
The new Transit Custom has a split charger fitted, but it doesn't work because of the new eco engines. The other van is a 2005 Boxer and SCR works fine. I just charge the leisure battery in my truck but that's ok because it's not full time anyway so it lasts a few days between charges.
why dont you employ a auto electrician that knows what there doing,if you paid for somthing thats been fitted and not working then why havent you taken it back
Title: Re: Running pump off van battery?
Post by: 8weekly on December 03, 2016, 04:30:52 pm
Best make a habbit of parking yer van on a hill facing down.  That way when it don't start you don't have bump start it by pushing the bloody thing.  ;D
I'll switch back if we get problems, but we're nearly all domestic so I shouldn't think we'd ever be running long enough to drain the thing. I'll bet the split charger will start working when the pump drains the battery a bit so it goes below 80%!

Two questions,
Split charger for one battery ?
One battery, Why ?
The new Transit Custom has a split charger fitted, but it doesn't work because of the new eco engines. The other van is a 2005 Boxer and SCR works fine. I just charge the leisure battery in my truck but that's ok because it's not full time anyway so it lasts a few days between charges.
why dont you employ a auto electrician that knows what there doing,if you paid for somthing thats been fitted and not working then why havent you taken it back
Because they are a general garage and fitted a split relay as requested. They charged for the part and the labour to fit it. It's not their fault that it doesn't work because of the new eco engine systems. That's the view I took. Looking on here, the only solution is to pay £250 or so for another unit plus the fitting. It's hard to justify that to save Dan (that's the driver's name) a few minutes each night plugging the charger in.

However, there will come a point - probably in the Spring when I get a third van where it will be impractical to have two vans plugged in overnight because the extension will need to trail over the carriageway in the estate.
Title: Re: Running pump off van battery?
Post by: Frankybadboy on December 03, 2016, 04:39:23 pm
so they fitted something and didnt test it to see if it worked ???? and thats ok !!!!!

i would be more worried about what and if it could do damage to the van circuits

running  of van battery and running the risk of flat battery and keep replacing battery,paying £300 is not that dear in the long terms of things
Title: Re: Running pump off van battery?
Post by: 8weekly on December 03, 2016, 05:10:10 pm
so they fitted something and didnt test it to see if it worked ???? and thats ok !!!!!

i would be more worried about what and if it could do damage to the van circuits

running  of van battery and running the risk of flat battery and keep replacing battery,paying £300 is not that dear in the long terms of things
I take your point on the garage, but they fitted as I requested and it didn't work. I'd still have to pay for the time and I'd have to pay the additional time working out where to go from where we are.

A leisure battery only last 18 months anyway so whether it's a van battery or a leisure battery makes no odds. The experience of the guys that use them on here is that there is no problem with doing so.

In light of the above I'd say that the sensible thing is to do nothing for now or try running off the van battery. The worst that can happen is the van may one day need a jump start.