[8weekly]

Following the other thread and knowing the issue with split relays on new vans, what's the problem with running off the van battery?

[robert mitchell]

Following the other thread and knowing the issue with split relays on new vans, what's the problem with running off the van battery?


I did it for about a year with no real problems , you will probably have to change battery more often though and when it does go your van wont start .  If you stay in one place for ages you may run it down and not be able to start the van .

[Darren H]

Been using van battery for 6 years changed battery a few times but never had a problem.

[Matt.]

Same ere been running off van battery, I also don't use controller as I like to get as much water as possible on the glass and had van about 4 years now, changed me battery last winter.

Obviously if u stationary for more than 3-4 hrs there is a risk of running it flat,  but u will noticed the flow of water coming out the brush slowing down which is a sign to go run the van for 10 mins.

If u on a job were u can leave the van running the flow is great

[8weekly]

That's what I'll do then with the new Transit. 

[Smurf]

Best make a habbit of parking yer van on a hill facing down.  That way when it don't start you don't have bump start it by pushing the bloody thing. 

[8weekly]

Best make a habbit of parking yer van on a hill facing down.  That way when it don't start you don't have bump start it by pushing the bloody thing. 

I'll switch back if we get problems, but we're nearly all domestic so I shouldn't think we'd ever be running long enough to drain the thing. I'll bet the split charger will start working when the pump drains the battery a bit so it goes below 80%!

[SeanK]

Best make a habbit of parking yer van on a hill facing down.  That way when it don't start you don't have bump start it by pushing the bloody thing. 

I'll switch back if we get problems, but we're nearly all domestic so I shouldn't think we'd ever be running long enough to drain the thing. I'll bet the split charger will start working when the pump drains the battery a bit so it goes below 80%!

Two questions,
Split charger for one battery ?
One battery, Why ?

[gto]

i had a bad alternator a month a go, and didnt know it. i got to my first job cleaned and the van wouldnt start.
i had to walk over a mile to the nearest battery place i new of.

your going to risk the van not starting every day.  my leisure battery cost me £58 off ebay 5 years ago.
its not worked that hard. but its lasted well.

[8weekly]

Best make a habbit of parking yer van on a hill facing down.  That way when it don't start you don't have bump start it by pushing the bloody thing. 

I'll switch back if we get problems, but we're nearly all domestic so I shouldn't think we'd ever be running long enough to drain the thing. I'll bet the split charger will start working when the pump drains the battery a bit so it goes below 80%!

Two questions,
Split charger for one battery ?
One battery, Why ?

The new Transit Custom has a split charger fitted, but it doesn't work because of the new eco engines. The other van is a 2005 Boxer and SCR works fine. I just charge the leisure battery in my truck but that's ok because it's not full time anyway so it lasts a few days between charges.

[Matt.]

If ur van battery is in decent nick u will be able to run a single pump for minimum 3 hrs before even thinking about ya battery, if u running 2 pumps direct u will have easy a hour stationary.

I have had the van battery run flat in the past on a few occasions in last some many years but I carry jump leads with me, it's no big deal.

Not sure we're battery is located in transit van but in trafic it's under the floor In front of passenger seat, so easy enough to run through into the back. My pumps are screwed into bottom of bulk head, so outlet nipple into hose  around the back of tank through the pump then into di bottles at other end of tank

[dazmond]

if you want to give yourself some hassle run off the van battery!

i cant believe some of you guys would leave your new(ish) vans running while your round the back of a property cleaning.

your asking to get your van nicked.

also why run the risk of not being able to start the van due to a flat battery?its just hold ups and irritations during your working day that you could do without for sure.(and are entirely avoidable).

[Matt.]

I would only leave the van running if in a secure area, I have ran the battery dry ( twice ) wen doing Chester race course.

A lad ran it dry a few weeks back doing an over night job on an event in a secured area, which I told him to run the van after 3 hrs but he didn't listen.

[LWC]

You dont need to leave van running...i never have had the need to.  If you're really "that" stressed about the van battery "possibly" running flat, buy a jump pack, £30 - £40 and jump it...even tho you wont need to.

[duncan h]

If you are that worried, carry a spare battery and jump leads

[ObiwanK]

If you are that worried, carry a spare battery and jump leads

Or just run off the spare battery ffs

[dd]

if you want to give yourself some hassle run off the van battery!

i cant believe some of you guys would leave your new(ish) vans running while your round the back of a property cleaning.

your asking to get your van nicked.

also why run the risk of not being able to start the van due to a flat battery?its just hold ups and irritations during your working day that you could do without for sure.(and are entirely avoidable).

100% correct. Some days I am in the same road/close all day. Often I will spend the whole day in one village. Do a lot of guys on here drive long distances between jobs on a daily basis?

[Darren H]

I've spent hour's in the same place and never had a problem with starting the van .

[Frankybadboy]

Best make a habbit of parking yer van on a hill facing down.  That way when it don't start you don't have bump start it by pushing the bloody thing. 

I'll switch back if we get problems, but we're nearly all domestic so I shouldn't think we'd ever be running long enough to drain the thing. I'll bet the split charger will start working when the pump drains the battery a bit so it goes below 80%!

Two questions,
Split charger for one battery ?
One battery, Why ?

The new Transit Custom has a split charger fitted, but it doesn't work because of the new eco engines. The other van is a 2005 Boxer and SCR works fine. I just charge the leisure battery in my truck but that's ok because it's not full time anyway so it lasts a few days between charges.

why dont you employ a auto electrician that knows what there doing,if you paid for somthing thats been fitted and not working then why havent you taken it back

[8weekly]

Best make a habbit of parking yer van on a hill facing down.  That way when it don't start you don't have bump start it by pushing the bloody thing. 

I'll switch back if we get problems, but we're nearly all domestic so I shouldn't think we'd ever be running long enough to drain the thing. I'll bet the split charger will start working when the pump drains the battery a bit so it goes below 80%!

Two questions,
Split charger for one battery ?
One battery, Why ?

The new Transit Custom has a split charger fitted, but it doesn't work because of the new eco engines. The other van is a 2005 Boxer and SCR works fine. I just charge the leisure battery in my truck but that's ok because it's not full time anyway so it lasts a few days between charges.

why dont you employ a auto electrician that knows what there doing,if you paid for somthing thats been fitted and not working then why havent you taken it back

Because they are a general garage and fitted a split relay as requested. They charged for the part and the labour to fit it. It's not their fault that it doesn't work because of the new eco engine systems. That's the view I took. Looking on here, the only solution is to pay £250 or so for another unit plus the fitting. It's hard to justify that to save Dan (that's the driver's name) a few minutes each night plugging the charger in.

However, there will come a point - probably in the Spring when I get a third van where it will be impractical to have two vans plugged in overnight because the extension will need to trail over the carriageway in the estate.