[Smudger]

Considering having a backpack permanently carried about on each van for 1st offs, sfg, conny roofs, but not sure what's the best way to keep it charged, I have Gardiner and kobold backpacks ( gardiners I believe is rebranded kobold ) so they all have the same kettle lead plug which then goes to a transformer and from their to the mains, inside the backpack is a 6v battery so if I cut the wire off leaving the kettle plug could I just wire into the leisure battery and be charged off the split charge relay system ? I would install a fuse plus switch so it didn't charge day in day out when not required.

Any thoughts?
Darran

[slap bash]

Check if the battery is 6 volt surely its 12 volt and if it is you can connect it onto the vans battery, all that might be a problem will be overcharging from your van. So I would fit a switch and only leave it on a few hours a week.  I have my one connected to my smart by relay. The only thing I do, is connect it to my smart charger to recondition it once a month.

[Smudger]

Just checked they are 12v - so all good to go !!

Darran

[Spruce]

Just checked they are 12v - so all good to go !!

Darran

Back pack chargers are rated at 1 or 2 amps. Connecting a backpack battery directly to a split charge relay with an alternator behind it will fry those batteries.

You need to find a 12v charger that will do the job, say through the cigarette lighter. These can then be hard wired in the system with an on/off switch.

The trouble is that they will rely on the operator which may or may not be successful.

[Smudger]

Yes that's true, but now moving over to staff having their own van, if they fail to keep it charged they then have to find a way to spray s/f/g without the backpack and still do it in the allotted time.

But good call spruce

Darran

[andyM]

What about one of those power inverter thingys that plug into the vehicle cigarette lighter socket?

[Spruce]

What about one of those power inverter thingys that plug into the vehicle cigarette lighter socket?

I think that would have to be the way to go and then use the standard 230v charger pack the backpack comes with. I couldn't find an in car charger that  would adapt to what Darran wants, but something must be out there.

[Smudger]

No i would be happy to wire in a ciggy socket then use a power inverter, just need to make sure it's all neat and tidy

Darran

[samson]

No i would be happy to wire in a ciggy socket then use a power inverter, just need to make sure it's all neat and tidy

Darran

Get an auto electrician to fit one Smudge.

[Smudger]

What!!!

dont you swear at me young man !! 

Darran

[Spruce]

Depending on the type of split charge relay you have on the vans, you may be able to wire a small inverter directly into it, bypassing a cigarette lighter socket.

Some of them have a couple of terminals. The TECM units have 3, 1 for the leisure battery, 1 straight through so is live from the van battery at all times and the 3rd is another switchable terminal, usually for a fridge, so again  will only work when the engine is running.

I believe the Gardiners charger is an intelligent type so will go to maintenance charging once the backpack battery is full. Alex will confirm.

[Smudger]

I use these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221798209870?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Always had probs with these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BERLINGO-SELF-SWITCHING-VOLTAGE-SENSING-SPLIT-CHARGE-RELAY-12V-30-AMP-/141707179004?hash=item20fe67f3fc

And these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12v-DC-Multi-Purpose-Split-Charge-Relay-Caravan-Motorhome-Dual-Battery-/321148454905?hash=item4ac5f087f9

Darran

[Spruce]

I use these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221798209870?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Always had probs with these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BERLINGO-SELF-SWITCHING-VOLTAGE-SENSING-SPLIT-CHARGE-RELAY-12V-30-AMP-/141707179004?hash=item20fe67f3fc

And these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12v-DC-Multi-Purpose-Split-Charge-Relay-Caravan-Motorhome-Dual-Battery-/321148454905?hash=item4ac5f087f9

Darran

Sorry Darran but you will have to either hard wire it in to the battery with an on/off switch or via a second self switching relay.

The problem with the first solution is that if they leave the inverter on over the weekend it will draw current from the battery.

Wiring the inverter up through a 'second self switch relay will take more effort, but if done correctly will take the element of human error out of the equation.  It will switch off a few moments after the engine is switched off (once the van battery drops to around 13.2v. The output terminal of the relay will be connected directly to the inverter. 

Please protect it with a suitable fuse as one of them will decide that he can use it to boil a kettle for coffee during his break. If it is used for something else then the engine has to be running for the inverter to work which won't 'kill' or flatten the battery.
 
Might be an idea to look at the different types of inverters available.

http://www.photonicuniverse.com/en/how-to-choose/ac-inverter/

[Spruce]

TBH this is going to be expensive.  Pure sine wave inverters aren't cheap.

My son uses his back pack every day so I plug it in each night to charge it. Its not a big deal. If it has just cleaned a couple of houses that day, I don't bother, but will definitely plug it in the following night.

[Smudger]

Hmmm, maybe I will keep it like that, any day they use their backpack they remove it on RTB charge overnight then put back on van next morning

The more I look at it the less I like the idea of charging in the van 

Darran

[samson]

Hmmm, maybe I will keep it like that, any day they use their backpack they remove it on RTB charge overnight then put back on van next morning

The more I look at it the less I like the idea of charging in the van 

Darran

Or buy more backpacks