[David Kent @ KentKleen]

Not really an expert on charging but, as far as I know most alternators have a fairly crude voltage regulator fitted to them (changing ac produced to dc delivered to your battery). Batteries do not like unstable current being used to charge them, they will accept it and charge up but not in the most economical way. These alternator 'boosters' dont increase power in any way, they simply 'smooth' out the power delivery to your battery alot more than a standard alternator regulator.
We have one that was fitted to one of our old berlingo's and we never had any problems with van starting or system running.
Sterling claim that using one of there boosters is like charging your battery with a smart battery charger.
We dont not use leisure batteries in any of our vans, IMO 'normal' van batteries used as a system power supply (good quality one) like the 'charge' from the everyday running of a van more than a leisure battery.
Most SCR are not zero volt drop, heat and resistance builds up across the contacts and break down occurs in time, using a 100 amp relay simply means bigger contacts less heat and a longer life.
Hope this is of some use.
 

[Spruce]

Not really an expert on charging but, as far as I know most alternators have a fairly crude voltage regulator fitted to them (changing ac produced to dc delivered to your battery). Batteries do not like unstable current being used to charge them, they will accept it and charge up but not in the most economical way. These alternator 'boosters' dont increase power in any way, they simply 'smooth' out the power delivery to your battery alot more than a standard alternator regulator.
We have one that was fitted to one of our old berlingo's and we never had any problems with van starting or system running.
Sterling claim that using one of there boosters is like charging your battery with a smart battery charger.
We dont not use leisure batteries in any of our vans, IMO 'normal' van batteries used as a system power supply (good quality one) like the 'charge' from the everyday running of a van more than a leisure battery.
Most SCR are not zero volt drop, heat and resistance builds up across the contacts and break down occurs in time, using a 100 amp relay simply means bigger contacts less heat and a longer life.
Hope this is of some use.
 

Cheers Dave

[David Kent @ KentKleen]

Just to add Bruce, Geoff has a transit and travels from his house about a mile and cleans all day week in week out within a 0.5 mile area. He has ocd with his diesel use so never leaves the van running on a job (most roads/closes he cleans between 4 to 8 houses without moving and uses his car for collecting. No SCR just a van battery in the back, never charges and never gives his battery a second thought.

[DaveG]

Thanks for the answers guys

[CleanClear]

That sounds about spot on Spruce, I'm lucky in that way but not so lucky in the ammount of fuel costs pmsl !!!! 👍👳👳👳

Wierd the way we are isn't it. You don't mind driving for hours but find walking 15 foot to a garage a chore ?  👍👳👳👳

[windowswashed]

I cleaned three properties today from 8am until 3pm. Battery was reading 14.3volts at the start of day and finished reading 13.0 volts and it is connected to a smart split charge relay on my van but I only travelled a very short distance today. 1.3 volts used from a brand new battery today.

[DaveG]

Just to add Bruce, Geoff has a transit and travels from his house about a mile and cleans all day week in week out within a 0.5 mile area. He has ocd with his diesel use so never leaves the van running on a job (most roads/closes he cleans between 4 to 8 houses without moving and uses his car for collecting. No SCR just a van battery in the back, never charges and never gives his battery a second thought.

 

His battery never gets charged and never goes flat??

[David Kent @ KentKleen]

It never gets taken out of the van, he averages 15 to 20 miles a week of driving, yes it gets charged (whenever the van is running) and you are correct it never causes him any problems.

[Matt Gibson]

Tadarrrrrrrr

Pure H2O,

Where did you get those stickers/yellows labels from? Have been looking for exactly the same for my new machine panel.

[AuRavelling79]

Yep, the Neanderthal I am, I charge mine every day.  I have several ex scrap batteries; when I finish work I fill up the tank and swap batteries.  It's not a chore because my shed is like only 5 feet from where I park up.

But I never have any battery problems.

+1

FTFM!

[G Griffin]

Don'ty icons come
Up as pics I'm putting on ? Yes I love triangles as well as squares pmsl !!!!

🔲🔲🔳♦♦♦

Those are not triangles.

[Spruce]

Tadarrrrrrrr

Pure H2O,

Where did you get those stickers/yellows labels from? Have been looking for exactly the same for my new machine panel.

Looks like he used a Dymo LetraTag with yellow tape. Tape comes in different colours. See YouTube under Dymo LetraTag

[Matt Gibson]

Cheers mate.