[Ian Lancaster]

I got through 3 batteries in a year and a half, then I just wired the pump straight to the van battery 8 months or so ago.
Never had a single problem since.

Till one day when you've done 7 hours straight without moving the van and suddenly the van won't start

You won't know your van battery is on the way out till this happens, then it's too late.

[Sir Squeaky]

I got through 3 batteries in a year and a half, then I just wired the pump straight to the van battery 8 months or so ago.
Never had a single problem since.

Till one day when you've done 7 hours straight without moving the van and suddenly the van won't start

You won't know your van battery is on the way out till this happens, then it's too late.

7 hours in one place? Most I ever do is an hour or so.

Ask Dave Morris if he's had any problems this way.

[ftp]

When I looked at Concept20 set up a couple of years ago, they ran their unit off the van battery. I was quite surprised at the time. The Express Cleaning guy who demonstrated it didn't seem concerned.

[traps7]

Ok seeing as I already have a leisure battery I think I'll go for a split charge relay this time. When this battery dies I may connect straight to vehicle battery then.

I'm still a bit confused though.
I understand the intelligent relays are best but after looking at various sites I still don't understand the amps. I looked at the site posted by concept but seems a bit pricey and maybe overkill in terms of connectors ,sleeving etc.

I'm quite handy so just want the basic kit but don't know which one. I don't do many miles between jobs if that helps.

Would something like this do?:

http://www.brocott.co.uk/towbar-electrics/towbar-wiring-relays/intelligent-self-switching-split-charge-relay-kit-12v-30amp-p-848.html

I'd appreciate your help anyone.

[evil genius]

yeps that will be fine but get a bigger amp one if you can.
its the exact same relay as i have in my split charge system.
very easy to wire up with little auto electrics knowledge needed.

idealy in the future you should't be discharging you batter no more than 75% max and 50% is better.


the split charge will help alot but your have to do some mile for to have a good effect. the engine will have to first fully charge the main starter battery and then it will switch over and to the leisure battery.

so most mornings it could take 10-15 mins driving before it even starts to charge your other battery and then it will only be giving you 30amps charge per hour. so that could be 2 hours driving to recharge a half empty battery

ian

[traps7]

Ok thanks.

I can't seem to find a bigger amp one and seeing as I don't know much about them and don't want to go poking about in my alternator wiring I'm gonna phone www.rawcomponents.co.uk on Monday I think as suggested by Concept and speak to them.

Hopefully I'll get an intelligent kit so I can wire straight to my vehicle battery and will have a lot more amps.

Just seems a bit expensive that's all. But I've bought cheap stuff before and it often doesn't pay.

Thanks for all your help guys.

[concept]

traps, the chap there is so knowledgeable, he will tell you all about the cheaper kits. what you get, is quality...i was like you, dubious about costs, but i have scrimped on a few bits in this game, and fed up with it. let us know how you get on.

[evil genius]

Traps,
raw components are good but they are a bit expensive.
a 50amp kit will cost over £70 posted
the 30 amp kit you listed will be enough  for keeping you new battery topped up in between a full charge at weekend. plus it is intelligent so very very easy to wire.

ian

[traps7]

Update....

I spoke to rawcomponents last week and ordered the 50 -70 amp intelligent kit. I've fitted it and it seems to be working fine so far. I will update you in a month or so.

I've gotta say though, although I found them very helpful, with hindsight £80 odd for the kit does seem expensive and having now fitted it, I think I coud've bought the individual parts much cheaper at a Motor Factors, maybe with the exception of the relay itself as I take it that's the bit that makes it intelligent, and I didn't want to go poking around for a wire on my alternator.

[concept]

It's not cheap, and yes you could buy it cheaper, however, the connections are crimped well, and heat shrunk well, if you take into account the tools and time, it's a fair price for a plug and play solution.

My 110a has only been charged once, briefly after a few days of having the s/c system fitted, as I wanted to check how good it was. had it on about 10 weeks now, and not charged it after the first few days.

[Sapphire Window Cleaning]

I think my battery is on its last legs, lucky if I get a days work out of it!
I normally charge it up every night. it is a HD Deisel battery. I have been using it for 12 months.


Matt

[traps7]

It's not cheap, and yes you could buy it cheaper, however, the connections are crimped well, and heat shrunk well, if you take into account the tools and time, it's a fair price for a plug and play solution.

Maybe. But I borrowed a crimping tool from a friend as they want £25 extra for a pair, the connectors themselves are pence from a motor factor, the heatshrinking could be done just as well with electrical tape and even thick 10mm elecctrical cable is only a few quid. Add a bit of fancy cable sheething I didn't use and a few inline fuses and like I said, apart from the relay itself, at £80 delivered it just seems overpriced to me.

But hey, I got it now and it's working. That's the main thing.

And I am grateful for all your help. Thanks.

[poole bay]

if you have a lot of work close together and doing short trips then it will not last then it would not be worth haveing a trickle charge unit you need to have 2 types of trick units one from battrie and alternator with 2 battries in the back and then you will always have power just cost more to set up......

[Sir Squeaky]

I hardly ever work more than 6 miles away and my battery has never been any problem.

[AuRavelling79]

All batteries sulphate up over time from the bottom up - you can delay this by keeping the battery relatively warm and topped up with charge on a daily basis. But after a year or two or three they will lose charge and die.

My 110 is dying and this cold spell signed it's death knell. Since Xmas I start off with my old battery which lasts until about 200 litres have been pumped and then I swap to the new one. I just carry my new replacement battery in the van so as to get every last ounce out of the old one and prolong the life of the new one.