[Smudger]

Ok chaps,

All my set ups have been wired from van batt through a split charge relay to leisure batt and all the wiring and plumbing to the various parts - now the doblo has a smart alternator so we charge the battery overnight,

I was looking at pump boxes and thinking that they are much neater and easier to get at parts when things go wrong, however is it essential that the  leisure batt has an earth or does it require just a positive feed ?

I've always earthed the leisure batt , but if I don't require the earth wire that's one connection less.

Cheers
Darran

[Slacky]

NWH will be along in a minute, schools kicked out a short while back, to correct any answers.

[CleanClear]

Ok chaps,

All my set ups have been wired from van batt through a split charge relay to leisure batt and all the wiring and plumbing to the various parts - now the doblo has a smart alternator so we charge the battery overnight,

I was looking at pump boxes and thinking that they are much neater and easier to get at parts when things go wrong, however is it essential that the  leisure batt has an earth or does it require just a positive feed ?

I've always earthed the leisure batt , but if I don't require the earth wire that's one connection less.

Cheers
Darran

Not sure if i'm understanding you right. If your leisure battery is running your pump via  a box or whatever, and you are charging it standalone then no it does not need earthing to your vehicle. Unless your pump is earthed only to your vehicle, that make sense ?

[Smudger]

erm no 

I will have a live feed from van into the pump box ( from van battery ) inside the pump box will be all the gubbins - leisure batt, pumps and the controllers fixed to the outside - so all wiring other than the live feed will be inside the box .

will this work OR do I need an earth from the pump box to the van ?
(hopefully clearer  )
Cheers

[CleanClear]

erm no 

I will have a live feed from van into the pump box ( from van battery ) inside the pump box will be all the gubbins - leisure batt, pumps and the controllers fixed to the outside - so all wiring other than the live feed will be inside the box .

will this work OR do I need an earth from the pump box to the van ?
(hopefully clearer  )
Cheers

If you are intending to charge it from your van battery via a positive feed from your van battery then yes you will have to earth it to your van.

* Edit to add............if you are intending to bench charge it every night as you said in your OP then not only will you not need an earth, you won't need to run a positive to it from your van battery either.

[Smudger]

I thank you

I now know what wiring I will require

Cheers

Darran

[֍Winp®oClean֍]

Your van battery is earthed to the van so you can earth the pump to the van.
I've always run this way. Positive from van battery then earth to van. A separate leasure battery would require both positive and negative terminal connections to that battery but not the van.

[֍Winp®oClean֍]

I'm just about to replace my ancient Cleantech (remember them?) Pump box with one of these. Still run from van battery and earthed to van.👍

https://purefreedom.co.uk/100psi-shurflo-pump-strainer-and-flowmaster-controller-on-back-plate.html

[֍Winp®oClean֍]

The other option, of course, is to contact one of Nigel's imaginary expert advisors- guaranteed to be right, whatever the subject!👌

[Scrimble]

you would only earth the leisure battery if it is connected via a charger to the engine battery,

a pump box is no better, I would say worse, it is just a spring controller and a shurflo pump inside a box? you can attach the pump and controller onto the tank to make it tidy

a battery to battery charger is needed in the new Fiat Doblos, stop being a cheap skate and just fit one.

[Smudger]

Hi Scribble,

All my systems have been wired up without a pump box - but weather they are now getting old/tired - or abused more now with the number of staff, and defo staff who don't know how to look at wiring - I feel its time for a change to where we can just disconnect 1 or 2 wires and a couple of pipes and pull the whole thing out

Main reason for this I can no longer work inside the van  or get into tricky areas due to health issues

Ref Doblo - the batt charges up fine overnight using a smart charger - cant be asked to to spend £250 of a batt to batt charger + getting it all wired in

Darran

[Simon Trapani]

I’m confused. So why the pump box? Just take the leisure battery out each night to bench charge. Or run an extension & charge in situ. I’ve never seen a pump box containing a leisure battery. 🤔

[Smudger]

the batteries are tucked away - the majority of the time they get charged up no issues but as we do more and more larger works on consecutive days thy need the odd overnight charge - and its not all about the battery sometimes its a fuse or loose wire or a pump issue - it will hopefully be easier if all vans are identical and all the "bits" in one area

I noticed one on eBay (pump box) and it was all contained inside the box - seems a neat idea to me

Darran

[Matt.]

Am I right in these vans can use dc - dc charging, a mate has just had this fitted to new custom

[Simon Trapani]

Yes but their engine won’t be running long enough whether that be driving or at idle. Battery needs a bench charge. Been talked about on here numerous times.

[Smudger]

no it doesn't - ive run without bench charging for 9 years

I only get the odd day where I need to add extra charge to the battery - and thats not my issue - with 6 different guys I need some uniform set up - sometimes its a bit much for them ( well one of them ) to follow a wire back to a fuse box thats not in the same position as another van

Darran

[Scrimble]

put the pump and controller in a location where you can access them easily? I fitted plugs onto all my pumps and controllers with spares on a shelf ready so if one needs replacing (which is very rare) there is one on the shelf ready to be swopped and it will just plug in so anyone could swop it over. all connectors are fitted with proper crimp terminals (not bullet connectors, heat shrinked and the terminals dipped in silicone grease to stop the moisture corroding them, you could use waterproof superseal connectors

same goes with the split charging function, the Doblos  that I have the older ones have a split charger spring controller, these work fine even with electric hose reel and rarely need bench charging, so ignore what some say about saying the leisure battery's need bench charging and a split relay not being enough, there are too many variables and my vans almost never need bench charging except for when one of the leisure battery's is weak and needs replacing.

The newer doblos I have use a battery to battery charger, easy to install, buy the waterproof version.

The reliability of the set up is down to the quality of the installation,

Combo van spring controller with split charge function


Spring controller connectors


Side view of Transporter


Leisure battery in passenger seat VW Transporter

[Scrimble]

these images are of one of my newer Doblos with the leisure battery secured in a bolt down tray, The b2b chargers is mounted on the back of the tank, its the waterproof version.

same spring leisure controller and shurflo pump, I have 10 vans all with the same set ups and never has a van been unable to work due to a leisure battery/pump/controller issues

Hope this helps Smudger

[Smudger]

very nice

thanks

Darran