Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: dazmond on November 02, 2022, 04:29:06 pm

Title: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: dazmond on November 02, 2022, 04:29:06 pm
I've been using a numax 20amp charger for nearly 5 years now since I got my diesel heater installed.its been great but its just stopped working today!so I've ordered another one(arriving tomorrow)....

I have an old halfords charger but im not convinced it's going to charge 2 x 105ah leisure batteries in the next 16 hours!we ll see!

Worse case scenario is having to use cold water for tomorrow's work!
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: NWH on November 02, 2022, 04:29:40 pm
You want a C-Tek m8.
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: NWH on November 02, 2022, 04:30:27 pm
Why didn’t they suggest you have a mains charge system just plug in and go indoors.
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: dazmond on November 02, 2022, 04:34:43 pm
I use numax batteries so i use a numax charger....like I've already said its worked fine for 5 years but it's dead today
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: NWH on November 02, 2022, 04:39:31 pm
A lot of people recommend the C-Tek all the good Caravan places sell them if you were closer to me I’d drop it off to you only used mine a couple of times.
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: windowswashed on November 02, 2022, 04:52:09 pm
I've been using a numax 20amp charger for nearly 5 years now since I got my diesel heater installed.its been great but its just stopped working today!so I've ordered another one(arriving tomorrow)....

I have an old halfords charger but im not convinced it's going to charge 2 x 105ah leisure batteries in the next 16 hours!we ll see!

Worse case scenario is having to use cold water for tomorrow's work!

Halfords smart charger will do it in under 6 hours for one large leisure battery.
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: AuRavelling79 on November 02, 2022, 05:03:06 pm
A lot of people recommend the C-Tek all the good Caravan places sell them if you were closer to me I’d drop it off to you only used mine a couple of times.

Agreed.
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: dd on November 02, 2022, 05:17:45 pm
c-tek is the best charger I have ever used
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: Richard Groves on November 02, 2022, 05:28:41 pm
Ctek . Mines permanently connected and built in to my pump box so it's a simple job of parking up each night and plugging in an extension lead.
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: robbo333 on November 02, 2022, 06:05:20 pm
C-tek for me too.
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: Splash & dash on November 02, 2022, 06:06:16 pm
We have built in chargers in all the vans that are set up to the type of batteries we use , you don’t want a fast charge you want a slower variable rate charge this way tge batteries will last much longer , we just plug the vans in each night with a shore socket takes seconds , in the morning disconnect and off you go never have any prob change the batteries every 6-8 years .
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: dazmond on November 02, 2022, 06:31:23 pm
I've been using a numax 20amp charger for nearly 5 years now since I got my diesel heater installed.its been great but its just stopped working today!so I've ordered another one(arriving tomorrow)....

I have an old halfords charger but im not convinced it's going to charge 2 x 105ah leisure batteries in the next 16 hours!we ll see!

Worse case scenario is having to use cold water for tomorrow's work!

Halfords smart charger will do it in under 6 hours for one large leisure battery.

Mines an old halfords charger that I bought around 10 years ago for £40!it looks nothing like the new smart chargers. ;D

I reckon the batteries still won't be charged after 16 hours!
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: NWH on November 02, 2022, 06:39:33 pm
I think the C-Tek charger I have was about £150 but like Splash does I plug in externally and just unplug after so many hours it’s done.
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: Stoots on November 02, 2022, 08:27:32 pm
I use this halfords one.

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/battery-maintenance/battery-chargers/halfords-smart-battery-charger-6a-496238.html
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: KS Cleaning on November 02, 2022, 09:32:03 pm
I think the C-Tek charger I have was about £150 but like Splash does I plug in externally and just unplug after so many hours it’s done.
So why does plugging in an immersion heater seem such an inconvenience to you? I’d imagine it’s the same procedure?
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: Spruce on November 02, 2022, 09:43:03 pm
Ordering a replacement is probably the best solution. I wouldn't be surprised if you find the reason why your previous one stopped working was because of a blown capacitor or capacitors.
They cost pennies to replace but you have to know what you are doing.
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: NWH on November 02, 2022, 09:53:18 pm
I think the C-Tek charger I have was about £150 but like Splash does I plug in externally and just unplug after so many hours it’s done.
So why does plugging in an immersion heater seem such an inconvenience to you? I’d imagine it’s the same procedure?

Err because that charger is sitting on the shelf in my garage and has been used a couple of times,I plug 🔌 my van in externally Grippa fitted all the gubbins behind my drivers seat etc in order for me to at my leisure just plug in from my outside socket.
I only have to charge my batteries every few weeks or so when I stick it on the drive,usually only for 5-6 hours.
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: NWH on November 02, 2022, 09:55:02 pm
I have a female socket on the side of my van like one of those fridge vans you see driving about.
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: Jonny 87 on November 02, 2022, 10:28:16 pm
Ctek all the way.

They are so reliable, and help maintain the batteries better too.

Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: Clever Forum Name on November 03, 2022, 12:11:10 am
Yep deffo C tek

Hard wired charge leads into vans (well most of them) so it’s so easy to charge main battery and leisure if needed.
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: dazmond on November 03, 2022, 07:16:50 am
So for those guys with 2 leisure batteries running a diesel heater.what amp is your charger?grippatank told me a 20amp charger was best for charging 2 x 105ah batteries in tandem. The only higher amp C tec charger I could find was a 25amp one and that was £300 so i just ordered a like for like numax one from amazon for £98.
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: dazmond on November 03, 2022, 07:24:01 am
Ordering a replacement is probably the best solution. I wouldn't be surprised if you find the reason why your previous one stopped working was because of a blown capacitor or capacitors.
They cost pennies to replace but you have to know what you are doing.

I don't know what I'm doing!😄....5 years of charging my batteries overnight it was gonna stop working at some point.

My numax batteries lasted 4 years before needing replacing
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: NWH on November 03, 2022, 07:32:50 am
I was told then12v setups that we use potentially are very dangerous even changing batteries should be done by an engineer,2 seconds with the wrong wires touching and you’ll be on  🔥 
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: dazmond on November 03, 2022, 07:38:29 am
I was told then12v setups that we use potentially are very dangerous even changing batteries should be done by an engineer,2 seconds with the wrong wires touching and you’ll be on  🔥

It took me 10 mins to replace my 2 batteries.the only awkward thing is they are down the side of my tank (without the side door!) so a bit of a squeeze to get them in and out.

Don't believe everything people tell you mate😄
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: NWH on November 03, 2022, 07:39:46 am
Grippa told me I shouldn’t be touching them at all.
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: dazmond on November 03, 2022, 07:49:32 am
Grippa told me I shouldn’t be touching them at all.

How hard is it?it's 4 screws on the terminals!(2 on each battery).I only had to loosen them off slightly and then it's an easy swap out.job done!
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: Jonny 87 on November 03, 2022, 07:51:32 am
So for those guys with 2 leisure batteries running a diesel heater.what amp is your charger?grippatank told me a 20amp charger was best for charging 2 x 105ah batteries in tandem. The only higher amp C tec charger I could find was a 25amp one and that was £300 so i just ordered a like for like numax one from amazon for £98.

https://www.tayna.co.uk/battery-chargers/ctek/pro25s/


This is what you want. £280 ish but it’s a beast.

I upgraded my batteries I’ve got 360 amps of power in my van (2x180amp) and this charger has kept them in perfect condition for nearly 4 years now. Still no sign of the voltage/capacity dropping.
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: NWH on November 03, 2022, 07:54:03 am
If I ever have to change batteries I was told they should be doing it.
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: dazmond on November 03, 2022, 07:56:23 am
If I ever have to change batteries I was told they should be doing it.

It's easy...just like changing a normal car battery
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: NWH on November 03, 2022, 08:11:30 am
I have always done them myself for years m8 I’ve changed dozens but was told I shouldn’t go near them.
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: AuRavelling79 on November 03, 2022, 08:50:11 am
I have always done them myself for years m8 I’ve changed dozens but was told I shouldn’t go near them.

In Tudor times the local Doctor who is also a leech farmer recommends a course of leeches.  :D
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: NWH on November 03, 2022, 08:56:01 am
12v is lethal.
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: dd on November 03, 2022, 10:45:33 am
12v is lethal.
I think some of the stuff that goes on inside your head is far more lethal Nigel.
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: Splash & dash on November 03, 2022, 11:28:30 am
Grippa told me I shouldn’t be touching them at all.

How hard is it?it's 4 screws on the terminals!(2 on each battery).I only had to loosen them off slightly and then it's an easy swap out.job done!


Yes but are they wired up in series or parallel ?. That’s an important thing to know
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: dd on November 03, 2022, 01:02:36 pm
Why would that make a difference?

I used to a a single battery and now I have 2 wired in parallel,  it is still a piece of pi$$ to change them - and I am not even very practical/mechanically minded.
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: NWH on November 03, 2022, 01:18:34 pm
I think if I was to touch them and have a fire etc I would be in trouble as far as insurance goes.
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: Splash & dash on November 03, 2022, 03:09:15 pm
Why would that make a difference?

I used to a a single battery and now I have 2 wired in parallel,  it is still a piece of pi$$ to change them - and I am not even very practical/mechanically minded.


Beacause they are connected up differently
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: NWH on November 03, 2022, 03:18:52 pm
Mine are connected together as 1 there’s wiring under the battery boxes that do this I’ve been told, to look at them from above you’d think they were independent but they aren’t.
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: dd on November 03, 2022, 04:34:38 pm
Why would that make a difference?

I used to a a single battery and now I have 2 wired in parallel,  it is still a piece of pi$$ to change them - and I am not even very practical/mechanically minded.


Beacause they are connected up differently
Is it still not just a mater of disconnecting the battery from the terminals, removing and connecting new battery to the terminals
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: Splash & dash on November 03, 2022, 04:42:10 pm
Why would that make a difference?

I used to a a single battery and now I have 2 wired in parallel,  it is still a piece of pi$$ to change them - and I am not even very practical/mechanically minded.


Beacause they are connected up differently
Is it still not just a mater of disconnecting the battery from the terminals, removing and connecting new battery to the terminals


Yes but depending how they are joined together it’s very easy to wire them up wrong  , ime talking about 2 batteries not just one , it’s a simple job to do but care needs to be taken as it can easily be done wrong 
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: dd on November 03, 2022, 05:27:17 pm
Like I said I have 2 batteries wired in parallel and in my experience it is no more complicated. It just takes twice as long (4 minutes instead of 2 minutes).

Red wire is positive and black negative, yes are two leads that run between them but it is easy to see which terminal to connect them to.
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: Stoots on November 03, 2022, 05:54:01 pm
Does anyone not just run a split charge relay to save having to charge every night?

I just bought a new van so im back to bench charging daily as i need to get a b2b charger but on my last van i had a split charge relay fitted and i didnt have to charge battery at all surprisingly.
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: Splash & dash on November 03, 2022, 06:07:04 pm
Does anyone not just run a split charge relay to save having to charge every night?

I just bought a new van so im back to bench charging daily as i need to get a b2b charger but on my last van i had a split charge relay fitted and i didnt have to charge battery at all surprisingly.

We don’t do enough mileage to make it worth while
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: NWH on November 03, 2022, 06:16:21 pm
I only have to plug in every few weeks and that’s by choice I still get 13-9 at least while engines running and 12-8-12-9 when working dropping to 12-6ish,I do roughly 300 miles a week.
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: dazmond on November 03, 2022, 07:13:53 pm
Does anyone not just run a split charge relay to save having to charge every night?

I just bought a new van so im back to bench charging daily as i need to get a b2b charger but on my last van i had a split charge relay fitted and i didnt have to charge battery at all surprisingly.

It only works for window cleaners who haven't got a diesel heater.

My heater and electric reel are heavy on the batteries so I have both(b+b charger and bench charge every night)
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: NWH on November 03, 2022, 07:17:09 pm
The heater is what drains em the electric reel is only intermittently working the heaters on most of the day if not all of it.
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: DJW on November 03, 2022, 07:25:01 pm
So many negatives on here  ::)roll
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: NWH on November 03, 2022, 08:01:47 pm
Yeah I agree far to many negatives about Daz going to the Maldives etc and just generally enjoying life,yeah spot on 🥱.
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: DJW on November 03, 2022, 09:14:53 pm
That’s positive
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: Stoots on November 04, 2022, 03:41:59 pm
Does anyone not just run a split charge relay to save having to charge every night?

I just bought a new van so im back to bench charging daily as i need to get a b2b charger but on my last van i had a split charge relay fitted and i didnt have to charge battery at all surprisingly.

We don’t do enough mileage to make it worth while

Neither do i which i why i was very surprised, i put off buying a split charge for years because i didnt believe it would keep my battery topped up. Well it ran 2 shurflo pumps nearly everyday for a couple of months and i didnt need to charge the battery once. Granted i had manual reels at the time not electric...I only do about 10k miles a year.
Title: Re: Battery chargers...what do you use?
Post by: Splash & dash on November 04, 2022, 06:27:51 pm
Does anyone not just run a split charge relay to save having to charge every night?

I just bought a new van so im back to bench charging daily as i need to get a b2b charger but on my last van i had a split charge relay fitted and i didnt have to charge battery at all surprisingly.

We don’t do enough mileage to make it worth while

Neither do i which i why i was very surprised, i put off buying a split charge for years because i didnt believe it would keep my battery topped up. Well it ran 2 shurflo pumps nearly everyday for a couple of months and i didnt need to charge the battery once. Granted i had manual reels at the time not electric...I only do about 10k miles a year.


All our vans have 2x electric reels ,3 x pumps , and 9kw diesel boilers running 8 hours a day , there is no way ours would be charged   enough , usually we do less than 80-100 miles per week , apart from once every 6-8 weeks when working 300 miles away from base