[pjulk]

Are these split charge relays easy to install.
I went to halfords to get one today but sold out but should have some more tuesday so i will get one then.

But are they easy to install.
Can i leave my leisure battery in the van all the time will it charge it enough.
And what happens if the battery get low will it start draining my van battery.

Paul

[callum macleod]

I have just had one fitted by a local auto-electrician at least i will be covered if i have any problems. charges battery perfectly. I have two leisure batterys side by side to improve life of the battery.

[Bonzer]

How much does a split charge relay kit cost and is there something I can attach to the battery to observe it's charge level?

[Tim Morton]

Can i leave my leisure battery in the van all the time will it charge it enough.
And what happens if the battery get low will it start draining my van battery.

1. It depends on how much you travel, or more accurately, how long each day that your engine is running. A Split charge relay will only charge your leisure battery while the engine is running. That answers 2, no you wont flatten your van battery as it only charges your liesure battery when the engine is running.

The charge from a split charge relay is not huge, if your leisure battery is virtually dead from a normal days work then you'd need to keep the engine running for 4-5 hours at least to re-charge it. What it does do is provide a top-up charge while you drive between jobs but it wont fully charge up a 85Ah liesure battery in just 20-30mins, in fact I dont know of ANY type of charger that could do that.

I have just had one fitted by a local auto-electrician at least i will be covered if i have any problems.

That is the best route to go, in fact if something were to happen to your van's electrics and it were to go on fire or fail in some other way your insurance will not pay up, they will say that you have modified the wiring and that the problem is your fault. So make sure that you get a qualified INSURED auto electrician to do it for you.


Tim

[pjulk]

Thanks alot for the infomation.

Most of my work is close together so maybe won't charge much but i do have some larger jobs which are a bit further afield so would help with these.

I will contact an auto electrician to see what it going to cost to see if its worthwhile me doing.

Paul

[callum macleod]

hi i had to boost both batteries before i fitted them to van split charge works very well i do drive approx 30 miles a day and i have a voltmeter in van to keep an eye on charge level they stay on average at 13 volts

[sair]

we sell a split chardger kit via this outlet comes with voltage meter and level indicator to show that a charge is going to the lesurre battery an also has all the wires and where to attach to

crowelectro.co.uk          look under window cleaning section or can 07944227635  or email for prices to purewatersales@tiscali.co.uk

[Paul Coleman]

Are these split charge relays easy to install.
I went to halfords to get one today but sold out but should have some more tuesday so i will get one then.

But are they easy to install.
Can i leave my leisure battery in the van all the time will it charge it enough.
And what happens if the battery get low will it start draining my van battery.

Paul

Paul. I've no idea about installing them but to answer your other questions:-

I've not had to remove my leisure battery for recharging yet (except when I messed up once).
I have run a leisure battery too low before with split charge relay.  What happened was that one of the fuses next to the leisure battery just popped and needed replacing.

Just to explain a bit more about the above:-  My leisure battery only ran too low because the fuse next to the van battery popped.  This meant that the leisure battery was only running down and not receiving any charge.  When I eventually replaced the fuse near the van battery, a fuse next to the leisure battery kept popping.  This was because the leisure battery had run too low and it was too much work for it to be recharged without removing it and plugging into the mains (I live too far from the road to recharge it in situ).
The reason I encountered the above situation was because the van battery fuse is prone to popping if I start the engine before the glowplug light goes out - so be aware of that now that you have a diesel van.
I now have a spare leisure battery indoors that is charged up in case I make the same mistake again.  It would save waiting a few hours in the event of me popping a fuse. It's not a wasted resource as, one day, I will need to switch them over when the old one eventually dies.
Congrats on your new van system.  You now have an extra major weapon in your armoury.

[pjulk]

Hi Paul

I think i will get one put in but i think i will get someone to do it for me that way i know its done right.

My brother in law is a mechanic so i think i will be paying him a visit.

The system is great i know its not a new one but im getting there and so much easier not lifting those water barrels.

Day after i had the van system put in i broke my trolley the stand came off so got to take another trip to croyden to get it fixed.

And i want to have a look at one of those facelift poles while im there meant to look last time but it slipped my mind maybe get one.

But now with the larger van and van system i pretty happy with what i have.

But now i need a bigger van again i have yet again nearly run out of room.

Paul

[Paul Coleman]

Hi Paul

I think i will get one put in but i think i will get someone to do it for me that way i know its done right.

My brother in law is a mechanic so i think i will be paying him a visit.

The system is great i know its not a new one but im getting there and so much easier not lifting those water barrels.

Day after i had the van system put in i broke my trolley the stand came off so got to take another trip to croyden to get it fixed.

And i want to have a look at one of those facelift poles while im there meant to look last time but it slipped my mind maybe get one.

But now with the larger van and van system i pretty happy with what i have.

But now i need a bigger van again i have yet again nearly run out of room.

Paul

If you're going to Croydon anyway, I'm sure the guys there would sort you out with a split charge relay.  They seem pretty reasonable with their labour charges.  Vans are a bit like roads.  The more you build, the more traffic you attract.  If I had a 7.5 tonner, I'm sure I would be looking for more space :-) .  I went from an Escort 55 to a SWB Renault Trafic - and still find myself wishing I had got the LWB version.
As I'm sure you have noticed, having a van mount cuts out a lot of the trolley work.  However, having that trolley is still important - especially when doing mostly domestic.

[jeff1]

Recharging the Leisure Battery
The batteries are charged at a current equivalent to 0.1 times the capacity expressed in Ampere hours (Ah) for a maximum of 15 hours. (12 - 13 hours would normally be sufficient with a constant current charger, but 15 hours may be necessary with a taper charger.)

The duration of the recharge will depend on the extent of the discharge that the battery has experienced. As an example the 50 Ah type RR1 battery that has been utilised for 3 hours for operating a 100W pump would have consumed 24.9 Ah and therefore must be charged at 5 Ampere for approximately 6 hours.
 
.....................................................................................................................................................
As illustrated on the graph below, the First National Battery Leisure Battery Range has the ability to withstand frequent discharge and charge cycles which ensures that the batteries last longer than conventional automotive batteries used under the same conditions.