[Simon Trapani]

I have two 16 plate Vivaro's. Both have a twin setup with two pumps, two controllers & one 110 leisure battery. Both vans are mostly used by just one man all week and we almost always work very local. Controllers (Spring) are set to around half power (40-60).

We have a Sterling battery to battery charger in each van and they have never given us problems in the 3 years or so we've had one system & a year the other. I use a Ctek mx5 most weekends to fully recharge the battery in each van. I bought an extra set of ring terminal fly leads so as neither battery has to leave the van whilst being 'bench' charged.

My point is that although the maths may not add up, in my real world experience the Sterling battery to battery charger keeps the leisure battery topped up enough in each vehicle to not give any problems. Some weeks I don't 'bench' charge either, especiallly if we've had a quiet week. I think I could possibly get away with not bench charging at all.

[RPCCS]

B2b charger it will have to be then I guess. Another 160 quid I could do without spending. Sooner Im outta this game the better.

[P @ F]

B2b charger it will have to be then I guess. Another 160 quid I could do without spending. Sooner Im outta this game the better.

Or you could just buy any van you wish but buy 2x Numax 105’s at £96 each , one in use and one on charge at all times , it’s not rocket science is it ?
I tried to be clever with all the solar and linked alternator but it wasn’t enough unless you have 12 months of summer per year .
As Spruce says , we are to a degree battery killers of the greatest order so just keep what you have fully charged after every day and you won’t go wrong , buy two and alternate and they will last even longer !

[RPCCS]

B2b charger it will have to be then I guess. Another 160 quid I could do without spending. Sooner Im outta this game the better.

Or you could just buy any van you wish but buy 2x Numax 105’s at £96 each , one in use and one on charge at all times , it’s not rocket science is it ?
I tried to be clever with all the solar and linked alternator but it wasn’t enough unless you have 12 months of summer per year .
As Spruce says , we are to a degree battery killers of the greatest order so just keep what you have fully charged after every day and you won’t go wrong , buy two and alternate and they will last even longer !

Now that’s a good idea! Never thought of that, I have a spare l b in the shed that Ibtook out of the caravan a couple of years back, so will put it on charge tomorrow and see if it works, job done . I can get a 110ah battery from Go Outdoors for about  70 quid

[Simon Trapani]

Doubtful a battery that’s been in the shed for 2 years will be much good.

Personally I used to find it a right pain swapping a battery over every day or two.

[P @ F]

Doubtful a battery that’s been in the shed for 2 years will be much good.

Personally I used to find it a right pain swapping a battery over every day or two.

So did I, but I have come to the conclusion that to keep a battery tip top it needs to be kept as charged as possible at all times , either benched or mains charger fitted to van

[RPCCS]

Apparently on Vivaro/Trafic if a smart alternator is fitted there is a chip next to + terminal on battery. Mine doesn't but has extra connection on - terminal so waiting for Vauxhall to get back to me with clarification.

[RPCCS]

Apparently on Vivaro/Trafic if a smart alternator is fitted there is a chip next to + terminal on battery. Mine doesn't but has extra connection on -terminal so waiting for Vauxhall to get back to me with clarification.

. Turns out it’s on the negative side, not the positive terminal.

[Soupy]

Anyone know if Fiat Doblos have these?

[Spruce]

Anyone know if Fiat Doblos have these?

My experience is that most dealerships wouldn't know what you are talking about if you ask. My experience is that the technical department in Fiat (and others) are just as clueless.

I would suggest you get  one the battery volt meters that plug into the cigarette lighter/auxillary socket and watch what it does when you drive around.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LED-Car-Auto-Battery-Electric-Cigarette-Lighter-Voltmeter-Voltage-Meter-Tester/254197055372?epid=0&hash=item3b2f533f8c:g:vrEAAOSw3uFbBrnQ

If the voltage drops to +- 12.2v and jumps up to 15 or 16v when decelerating then you have regenerative braking. (I doubt a Doblo has that but anything is possible.)  If like my Peugeot Boxer (made in the Fiat factory in Italy) the alternator charges constantly at 13.9v then a split charge relay won't fully recharge a maintenance free leisure battery as that needs 14.2v. A flooded leisure battery needs 14.6v.

My previous van was a Citroen Relay and that charged at 14.6v. I could have used the split charge relay from that van but opted for a Sterling Battery 2 Battery BB1260 charger. I'm glad I did as I don't have to 'bench' charge my leisure battery as often as I did.

[Soupy]

Anyone know if Fiat Doblos have these?

My experience is that most dealerships wouldn't know what you are talking about if you ask. My experience is that the technical department in Fiat (and others) are just as clueless.

I would suggest you get  one the battery volt meters that plug into the cigarette lighter/auxillary socket and watch what it does when you drive around.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LED-Car-Auto-Battery-Electric-Cigarette-Lighter-Voltmeter-Voltage-Meter-Tester/254197055372?epid=0&hash=item3b2f533f8c:g:vrEAAOSw3uFbBrnQ

If the voltage drops to +- 12.2v and jumps up to 15 or 16v when decelerating then you have regenerative braking. (I doubt a Doblo has that but anything is possible.)  If like my Peugeot Boxer (made in the Fiat factory in Italy) the alternator charges constantly at 13.9v then a split charge relay won't fully recharge a maintenance free leisure battery as that needs 14.2v. A flooded leisure battery needs 14.6v.

My previous van was a Citroen Relay and that charged at 14.6v. I could have used the split charge relay from that van but opted for a Sterling Battery 2 Battery BB1260 charger. I'm glad I did as I don't have to 'bench' charge my leisure battery as often as I did.

Having problems with my Doblos.

All I'm getting out the alternator is 12ish v which isn't kicking over the split charge relay.

I've bought the doohickey as advised and I'll see what it says when it arrives.