[bobplum]

can you just run a cable from the car battery to the pump battery and that will charge it as i drive around,if so what safe guards do you need in place
cheers bob
(IM A PICESIAN,waters my thing not electrics)

[Lee GLS]

No, it will act like jump leads on a car, you need a split charger relay, I think it runs off the alternator.

[Tom White]

Bob,

Have a look at this (Lee pointed me in this direction):

http://www.thecleaningwarehouse.co.uk/hydroflo-pump-controller-built-in-batt-charger-1353-p.asp

It's easy to wire up; even a Geordie can do it; and it goes from battery to battery.

[Spruce]

or
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SPLIT-CHARGE-RELAY-12V-30A-SELF-SWITCHING-FORD-TRANSIT-/200600941491?pt=UK_Campervan_Caravan_Accessories&hash=item2eb4bf73b3

Although it says it's for a Transit, they will work for any vehicle.
This is an intelligent relay so will sense the condition of the van battery before it switches to charge your leisure battery. Once you start your van it will take about 20 secs for this relay to click in (assuming van battery is in good state of charge) as it ensures that charging the van battery takes priority.

All that is required is one suitable cable from your van battery to the relay, and a second cable from the relay to your leisure battery which will carry at least 20 amps at 12v. An inline fuse holder with a 10/15amp fuse as close to each battery as possible and an earth cable to the van body from the relay. Instructions are included and there is a dedicated technical helpline provided by the company if you have any problems.

Initially we both had relays that were triggered by another wire from the alternator's charging warning circuit, but this relay from Ebay is much easier to fit.

We have one of them operating successfully on my sons van.

If you are doing low mileage and you have compact rounds, this split charge relay will not charge your van battery fully. You will still have to put a charger onto it every second or third evening when you get home.

Spruce

[Perfect Windows]

My van (Hiace) is fitted with two batteries as standard.  They are joined by heavy duty cables, +ve to +ve, -ve to -ve and have never caused any problems whatsoever, so I'm a little dubious about the need for a split relay charger.  The engine charges both batteries, the pump works off both.

Vin

[Spruce]

My van (Hiace) is fitted with two batteries as standard.  They are joined by heavy duty cables, +ve to +ve, -ve to -ve and have never caused any problems whatsoever, so I'm a little dubious about the need for a split relay charger.  The engine charges both batteries, the pump works off both.

Vin

Hi Vin

Its been designed by Toyota so will work fine that way. Both batteries will be the same type and as you start your van both batteries will 'carry the load.'

However, you need to take a different approach when connecting a leisure battery into a circuit as you don't want it to become part of your van's starting circuit.
So you need to break that circuit and have it automatically connect after the van engine has been started by the vans cranking battery.

A cranking battery and a leisure battery are designed differently for different applications. If you use a leisure battery to start your van you will knack it virtually straight away.

Spruce

[traps7]

I got one similar to the one Spruce has linked. That's a much better kit than the pump controller with built in charge. With the pump controller you have to manually select it each time you drive off and remember to turn it off when you get home. It's a right pain for not much gain, especially over short journeys.  Also, its only a small trickle charge I think.

The ebay kit is a much better kit and is automatic.

[bobplum]

thanks
for the replys im going to go with spruces idea / suggestion had a quick look on ebay looks good
cheers everyone
bob

[Spruce]

I got one similar to the one Spruce has linked. That's a much better kit than the pump controller with built in charge. With the pump controller you have to manually select it each time you drive off and remember to turn it off when you get home. It's a right pain for not much gain, especially over short journeys.  Also, its only a small trickle charge I think.

The ebay kit is a much better kit and is automatic.

I didn't know that the pump controller has to be 'programmed' as a split charge relay every time.

[Perfect Windows]

My van (Hiace) is fitted with two batteries as standard.  They are joined by heavy duty cables, +ve to +ve, -ve to -ve and have never caused any problems whatsoever, so I'm a little dubious about the need for a split relay charger.  The engine charges both batteries, the pump works off both.

Vin

Hi Vin

Its been designed by Toyota so will work fine that way. Both batteries will be the same type and as you start your van both batteries will 'carry the load.'

However, you need to take a different approach when connecting a leisure battery into a circuit as you don't want it to become part of your van's starting circuit.
So you need to break that circuit and have it automatically connect after the van engine has been started by the vans cranking battery.

A cranking battery and a leisure battery are designed differently for different applications. If you use a leisure battery to start your van you will knack it virtually straight away.

Spruce

Thanks, Spruce: You learn a new thing every day.

Vin

[traps7]

I got one similar to the one Spruce has linked. That's a much better kit than the pump controller with built in charge. With the pump controller you have to manually select it each time you drive off and remember to turn it off when you get home. It's a right pain for not much gain, especially over short journeys.  Also, its only a small trickle charge I think.

The ebay kit is a much better kit and is automatic.

I didn't know that the pump controller has to be 'programmed' as a split charge relay every time.

Yep. I've got one but I don't use the charge facility. Got the 30 amp intelligent relay instead.
You have to manually press the enter button untill 'chg' comes up on the display.

Now even with it disconnected I have to hold enter for about 3 seconds every time I switch the pump off else it would be flashing 'chg'.