[Fin Clearview]

Today was the most frightening experience in 15 years of Wc. I'll post a few pics later..

I had finished my work for the day and was out collecting. I have a DIY set up (2 man) running off a battery in the back which is also connected to a split relay to the van battery. I also have a switch fitted to conserve any power when turning the controllers off. I had switched it to off when finished work. The crocodile clips were still connected as was the relay. The only thing i had done different today was attached the croc clips (only me working today so one set) to the top of the batt terminals where the nut is in the top as sometimes they slip off the terminal so i thought this would hold better. The nut however also has the relay rings around them permantely in place so the clips and the rings were touching. I obviously didn't think this could be a prob and still dont know if this was the cause but im just saying how it was.

I had collected from a custie and was walking to the van when i saw some smoke coming from the cab. i pulled the seat forward as i saw a lad walked past and thought he had chucked fAg in the window, the smoke was coming from the back. I opened the back door and the smoke bellowed out. I can't say how bad it was but put it this way i couldn't see any of my stuff! It cleared after a few seconds but i suppose due to air coming in the flames started in the battery box, along side the battery i had a coil of excess cable from the relay this is what was alight. I disconnected the clips burnt my finger in the process and grabbed the nearest bottle of liquid to hand 'ecover!' and squirted the life out of it. My van stinks but at least everything ok and i haven't got to hire a van tomorrow! Off to buy a fire extinguisher though. Just so relived i only had the one job to collect from one more and it could of been a totally different story.

[duncan h]

It was a long read but..why did it start

[Window Lickers]

Glad all is well. Least you can still work.

Maybe take a good hard look at the wiring - how safe and trustworthy it is.

[steve rix]

Go back to trad, its safer!!!

[Pete Thompson]

This is why you need FUSES on every wire going to and from the battery.

[windowswashed]

Sorry to hear of your van fire.

Warning to those who plug 3kw immersion heaters into their vans, it's just as dangerous if other equipment plugged into extension exceeds 3120 watts and cable isn't fully unwound! Likelyhood of van fire and house fire. Never mess with electrics, leave it to those who know

[rosskesava]

This is why you need FUSES on every wire going to and from the battery.

Cars, etc, sometimes catch fire due to electrical faults and they have fuses and lots of them.

A fuse will only blow if the current is greater than the rating of the fuse. Sometimes a direct short, which is what starts the fire, will not blow the fuse.

[paulben]

Coil of excess cable may be another cause for fire as it will heat up that's why you should fully unwind extension leads if on a reel.

[Fin Clearview]

This is why you need FUSES on every wire going to and from the battery.

Cars, etc, sometimes catch fire due to electrical faults and they have fuses and lots of them.

A fuse will only blow if the current is greater than the rating of the fuse. Sometimes a direct short, which is what starts the fire, will not blow the fuse.

Correct Ross. The relay was fused as was the controller. Both still fine. I wonder if it started by the croc clips being directly on to where the relay connections were on the battery. The fire started on the excess relay cable and the cable is melted to bits even the earthed cable was stripped of rubber that was attached. Also the relay was fitted over 2 years ago.

[Fin Clearview]

Go back to trad, its safer!!!

Did make me stop and think last night! Safer for the van but not sure about me mate!
Hardly any sleep last night still in shock tbh..

[paulben]

Was cable of correct amperage

[Window Lickers]

I'm waiting for someone to have a fire from plugging an immersion heater in to heat their water. Don't unreel your extension lead and it'll happen. Too many people trying to cut corners - it'll come back and bite you.

[Fin Clearview]

Found the problem! I had the two sets of croc clips coming out of the switch. When I worked alone the other set were just dangling possibly touching the side of the van. This shorted it out and the nearest wiring to where they were was the earthed relay cable.

2 fire extinguishers and a smoke detector bought and a very valuable lesson learnt to never take any electricity for granted and learn more about it before you go about installing it!

[richard groves]

Wow, that was a close call ! glad your ok and your van. Do you think insurance would have paid out if van had gone up in flames ? diy modifications ? not critising , only asking. I too (like many of us) have a diy system.

[Jonny 87]

Found the problem! I had the two sets of croc clips coming out of the switch. When I worked alone the other set were just dangling possibly touching the side of the van. This shorted it out and the nearest wiring to where they were was the earthed relay cable.

2 fire extinguishers and a smoke detector bought and a very valuable lesson learnt to never take any electricity for granted and learn more about it before you go about installing it!

Smoke detector! That's a great idea actually. Going to do that too.

[Fin Clearview]

Wow, that was a close call ! glad your ok and your van. Do you think insurance would have paid out if van had gone up in flames ? diy modifications ? not critising , only asking. I too (like many of us) have a diy system.

Not sure, just glad I didn't have to find out!

[Fin Clearview]

Found the problem! I had the two sets of croc clips coming out of the switch. When I worked alone the other set were just dangling possibly touching the side of the van. This shorted it out and the nearest wiring to where they were was the earthed relay cable.

2 fire extinguishers and a smoke detector bought and a very valuable lesson learnt to never take any electricity for granted and learn more about it before you go about installing it!

Smoke detector! That's a great idea actually. Going to do that too.

£42 in total seems a small price to pay if it saves the lifeline of your business. Needless to say I'm mounting the alarm on the van ceiling on the side of the electrics!

[duncan h]

Everything should be hard wired. Crocks are a no no

[Fin Clearview]

Everything should be hard wired. Crocks are a no no

What do you mean - hard wired? Soldered? Ive re wired the lot today with wire joiners where needed and changed the croc clips to rings and screwed them into the batt terminals. I've also added a further switch so they are both isolated system with separate 10a inline fuses. (the fuses were in place before but as I've said all running via one switch).

[markymark]

Re: smoke alarm in the van. Is it an optical one ie one similar to your hall/stairs/landing one? If so you'll need to keep your van really dust free as the sensor can mistake floating dust for smoke and set itself off. Hilarious at 2am I bet