[dazmond]

well this morning i started the van up and fired up the boiler and got to my first job and the  batteries were reading 12.4 so i left my engine running for 30 mins(with the boiler running) then turned off the engine and carried on working for another 30 mins.checked the battery and it was reading 12.7!(fully charged).

all day ive checked after working with the engine off  for an hour or so and the batteries havent dropped lower than 12.5.

so the batteries must charge up rapidly even when the boiler is running (if the engine is running).

im trying to see if i can go a week without having to bench charge the batteries.

this is all new to me ive never had a split charge relay fitted before.

whats the lowest you can go without damaging the batteries?is it 12.2?(50% discharged?)

[Don Kee]

12.2 is around 60% so you should be ok up to around 11.8-12 volts I’d of thought.
(The voltage will depend on whether its under load as well)

Do you use a digi controller as they will tend to start cutting off at 50% to save the battery anyway?

I’m not sure on the rate of charge on the grippa split charger (although I believe its pretty high on the b2b chargers) but just bare in mind that you’ll get different readings depending on whether its just been taking charge or under load so you wont get a true reading until the battery has settled (usually around 4hours ish)

Might be worth checking it after your last job and then again a bit later in the eve and see what the difference is. You might find that you’re getting a slightly lower reading a little later after the battery has ‘settled’ obviously assuming you dont have 100% charge in there.

(Are your batteries set up in parallel or does one power the pump and other the heater?)

[Don Kee]

Might be a useful table for some...

[brianbarber]

Prior to hot water, I had an issue with the new vans battery. (2014 connect 240/ 115.)Very poor standard battery at 64 amp per hour.
Would do few jobs in same street and on occasion, battery died wouldnt start.
So ungraded to 85 am per hour plus it has a higher crank value.
 Interestingly when van wouldn't start I jump started it using the leisure  battery!

Been fine now and very rarely use my built in grippa charger

Mr B

[brianbarber]

Prior to hot water, I had an issue with the new vans battery. (2014 connect 240/ 115.)Very poor standard battery at 64 amp per hour.
Would do few jobs in same street and on occasion, battery died wouldnt start.
So ungraded to 85 am per hour plus it has a higher crank value.
 Interestingly when van wouldn't start I jump started it using the leisure  battery!

Been fine now and very rarely use my built in grippa charger

Mr B

[dazmond]

so brian do you go all week without charging your batteries even when you use your heater all day every day?

how long is the van running on average a day?as mine is around a hour.im hoping thats enough to not have to charge overnight.

[brianbarber]

Yes, with exception of when I think heater will kick in over night.
Earlier this year I had not charged it fir periods exceeding 6 weeks
I use hot all year round, every day.

Mr B

[brianbarber]

Yes, with exception of when I think heater will kick in over night.
Earlier this year I had not charged it fir periods exceeding 6 weeks
I use hot all year round, every day.

Mr B

I drive around twenty mikes a day average,short stop start Joinery's, but I leave heater on, unless it's a lunch break for example.

[deeege]

Does that mean you have to leave your van running and unlocked whilst working away around the back of properties?

[dazmond]

Does that mean you have to leave your van running and unlocked whilst working away around the back of properties?

no.i lock mine manually with the spare key if leaving the engine running to charge the batteries.

[dazmond]

Yes, with exception of when I think heater will kick in over night.
Earlier this year I had not charged it fir periods exceeding 6 weeks
I use hot all year round, every day.

Mr B

great thanks brian.the whole point of getting a split relay fitted was to not have to run a cable out to charge the batteries every night or bother putting a heater in there overnight.

[NWH]

The split charger won’t put the same amount back into them as your mains charger does though you will benefit from mains charging now and again.

[dd]

To me leaving your engine running just to charge your batteries is a waste of money. It is also not particularly good for the engine. Assuming you can run a lead out to your van it is far cheaper to leave on charge overnight.

During the day the split relay should insure the batteries don't get too drained from your heater so is a good safeguard.

[dazmond]

To me leaving your engine running just to charge your batteries is a waste of money. It is also not particularly good for the engine. Assuming you can run a lead out to your van it is far cheaper to leave on charge overnight.

During the day the split relay should insure the batteries don't get too drained from your heater so is a good safeguard.

i always leave my engine running at lunchtime for 30 mins(to keep warm in winter and to keep cool in summer)so the batteries get a pretty good charge plus at least 30-40 mins of driving a day.that seems to be enough to top up the batteries to full charge at the moment.

[dazmond]

The split charger won’t put the same amount back into them as your mains charger does though you will benefit from mains charging now and again.

once a week ill charge up overnight then.it doesnt seem to be needed at the moment though nigel.

[The Jester of Wibbly]

I would avoid leaving the engine running buddy.  If someone walks by and sees the key and hears the engine running.......smash  glass and drive off....no insurance will cover you.

Easier to just plug the van in for charging. Same effort as plugging in your kettle. 
 

[dazmond]

I would avoid leaving the engine running buddy.  If someone walks by and sees the key and hears the engine running.......smash  glass and drive off....no insurance will cover you.

Easier to just plug the van in for charging. Same effort as plugging in your kettle. 

im normally sat in it eating my lunch mate!

[The Jester of Wibbly]

I would avoid leaving the engine running buddy.  If someone walks by and sees the key and hears the engine running.......smash  glass and drive off....no insurance will cover you.

Easier to just plug the van in for charging. Same effort as plugging in your kettle. 

im normally sat in it eating my lunch mate!

They might take a fancy to you and kidnap you too 

[dazmond]

I would avoid leaving the engine running buddy.  If someone walks by and sees the key and hears the engine running.......smash  glass and drive off....no insurance will cover you.

Easier to just plug the van in for charging. Same effort as plugging in your kettle. 

im normally sat in it eating my lunch mate!

They might take a fancy to you and kidnap you too 

you ve obviously not seen the size of me mate.im 6 ft 2in and 17 stone(mostly muscle!)

[Splash & dash]

To leave the engine running to charge batteries is false economy it’s far cheaper and will do a much better job to mains charge it Evan if upu have to do it each night takes seconds to plug it in