[MNWC]

Is it possible to run a cable to the pump controller from the 12 aux plug in the front of the van (Connect) ?

Would it also be possible to run a split charge relay from the socket as well ?

Regards

Marcus

[MNWC]

Something like this 

http://www.tantronics.co.uk/acatalog/Cigar_Lighter_Extensions.html?gclid=COOE_eqQ8bsCFernwgodYw4AFQ#a24_21car_2dsw_2dext_2d3m_2drl

[rah]

I have a couple of ctek chargers and you can purchase a cig lighter adapter to charge, can't help with the controller, but if you wired it to the battery an the battery was charging from cig lighter would it matter ?

[MNWC]

Thats what im thinking Rah.

It saves drilling through the bulk head to connect to the van battery.

This is the split charger ive got

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RING-SMARTCOM-30A-SPLIT-CHARGE-RELAY-12-VOLT-FRIDGE-SUPPLY-CARAVAN-CAMPERVAN-/231129371205?pt=UK_Campervan_Caravan_Accessories&hash=item35d0625245&ssPageName=RSS:B:SHOP:GB:101

[evo]

Thats what im thinking Rah.

It saves drilling through the bulk head to connect to the van battery.

This is the split charger ive got

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RING-SMARTCOM-30A-SPLIT-CHARGE-RELAY-12-VOLT-FRIDGE-SUPPLY-CARAVAN-CAMPERVAN-/231129371205?pt=UK_Campervan_Caravan_Accessories&hash=item35d0625245&ssPageName=RSS:B:SHOP:GB:101

thats ok if you do a lot of miles per day other wise its a waste of money

[MNWC]

I only probably do about 5 a day 

[rah]

I installed those in my vans, although some claim to have excellent results from them, I can only state, that I found them to be useless! We are compact with our work and maybe we didn't do enough miles per day. I wouldn't recommended them to anyone from my own experience.

I ran wired to the van batteries, Hiace 24V start, once the batteries began to fade, couldn't start van, slight push and I could bump it. My advise would be, grab a leisure battery, decent charger and charge daily. Initial outlay will be recouped in time, pay cheap, pay twice.

[Spruce]

What Connect is it?

The later LWB vans have an aux plug in the back. The earlier ones don't have a socket but the wiring is already there so you can tap into it. It's the same wiring harness as the people carrier versions use. The connector to on the drivers side behind the centre support beam. There is also provision for putting a 15 amp fuse into the fuse box behind the glove box.

[MNWC]

Its a 55 plate short wheel base

[MNWC]

Its already got the socket there

[Spruce]

Its already got the socket there

You could buy a plug

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-Male-Car-Universal-Cigarette-Lighter-Socket-Power-Repair-Plug-LED-And-Fuse-/161154421531?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item25858d531b#ht_1730wt_1399

I would prefer to splice the controller wires into the wiring harness before the coupler or socket.

We did this on Son In Laws Transit Connect hoping to use his van battery as the power source for his pump and controller. It didn't work for us and we ended up adding a leisure battery. We did however, use this coupler as the power source for a split charge relay which is used to charge SIL's battery on the move.

He only occassionally has to 'bench charge' his battery as he does a reasonable daily mileage.

[James Bulton]

I have the same van and the same relay and its work a treat.

[MNWC]

Sorry Smithy but do you mean the same relay as mine ?

How many miles do you travel per week ?

[Ian Sheppard]

Fitting a split charge relay to the leisure battery can be useful however as previously commented the amount the battery will recharge is dependent on how long and fast the engine is running.
The charging capacity is controlled by the alternator which is generating current.

The amp per hour charge rate is dependant on a number of factors for example the length of time the engine/alternator are running and how quickly they run.
Most alternators are designed to trickle charge a battery so the longer and faster they run the higher the charge rate. (Up to the maximum capacity of the alternator and battery) There is also a restriction based on the maximum capacity of the alternator and battery in any system plus any drop off through the wiring due to resistance.

The ampage per hour rate will drop off as the battery nears full charge, the batteries capacity to take amps drops as the voltage capacity nears its maximum. The only way of physically pushing higher current into the battery would be to increase the Voltage capacity and increase the maximum generating capacity of the Alternator.

Ohms Law  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohm%27s_law

2nd As a general rule It is better to run a a controller/WFP from a leisure battery as opposed to the vehicle battery. The reason is the way the different battery types discharge. A leisure battery is designed for a long continuous discharge over a period of time.
A Vehicle battery is designed to discharge a high voltage over a very short period (the time is takes to start the engine) Once the engine is running the Alternator is powering all the electrical systems and recharging the battery.

[robert mitchell]

Fitting a split charge relay to the leisure battery can be useful however as previously commented the amount the battery will recharge is dependent on how long and fast the engine is running.
The charging capacity is controlled by the alternator which is generating current.

The amp per hour charge rate is dependant on a number of factors for example the length of time the engine/alternator are running and how quickly they run.
Most alternators are designed to trickle charge a battery so the longer and faster they run the higher the charge rate. (Up to the maximum capacity of the alternator and battery) There is also a restriction based on the maximum capacity of the alternator and battery in any system plus any drop off through the wiring due to resistance.

The ampage per hour rate will drop off as the battery nears full charge, the batteries capacity to take amps drops as the voltage capacity nears its maximum. The only way of physically pushing higher current into the battery would be to increase the Voltage capacity and increase the maximum generating capacity of the Alternator.

Ohms Law  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohm%27s_law

2nd As a general rule It is better to run a a controller/WFP from a leisure battery as opposed to the vehicle battery. The reason is the way the different battery types discharge. A leisure battery is designed for a long continuous discharge over a period of time.
A Vehicle battery is designed to discharge a high voltage over a very short period (the time is takes to start the engine) Once the engine is running the Alternator is powering all the electrical systems and recharging the battery.

In theory this is correct but in practice i have found no discernible difference.

I ran using the van battery alone on my old vehicle and never had a problem , i have been running a while now with a split relay and a second car battery to run my system (secondhand £30).

The second battery is 100ah (900 amps cranking) so is a similar capacity to most leisure batteries ,i have been told that a car battery can take a higher charge rate , wether it actually draws a higher charge rate from the split relay i don't know but it certainly works for me.

I think modern car batteries are much better than they used to be at delivering this sort of current without damage.

It has also got me out of trouble when i parked up and left my lights on , jump leads from the system battery to the starter battery got me going without having to wait for the rac.