Battery starter

It depends what the difference is between the 50 and 40. The 40, for instance, may not be man enough for the job on a commercial vehicle. Do a bit of research and if in doubt, go for the bigger model.

Tbh, if a professional has recommended a particular item and you don’t have specific knowledge in the field, I’m not sure it makes sense to go against the advice.

PS. I’ve had a quick look and the 50 is 1500A as opposed to the 40 being 1000A. They are not the same animal with the 50 being more powerful.

Thank you very much much appreciated 

I’ll go for the 50 

cheers Les

I have a similar device which I sometimes have to use on my car. Mine came from Machine Mart and I think it is their own brand. Its a very useful bit of kit. Fortunately not had to use it on the motorhome, yet!

If your cab battery is going flat perhaps you should be looking at way to keep it in a fully charged state. How you achieve that might depend on whether you either have a solar panel or whether you can hook up the electrics where you store it.

David

I use one of these Quite big, heavy and not cheap, but will start a tank (should you ever need to).

Selected as a “Best Buy” by Which Caravan Magazine at some point.

Looking at the price, you would be better off doing as DK suggests, a DIY solar panel would cost little more and keep your battery in better condition. To keep discharging and re-charging shortens battery life.

peedee

May I as a caravanner, put in my tupeneth!  If you were on a site and your van battery (not leisure battery) was flat I would ask myself why.  If plugged into EHU it should have charged, is the alternator working or is the battery shot!  If in storage well yes maybe you need to get the clever bit of kit or solar panels.  If at home could you not plug in EHU cable or use a battery charger.  I used to have a yacht (like Cyber!) and once I was about half way across channel under engine, as no wind, and the autohelm stopped working!  Investigation showed that the leisure battery was flat and not charging; further investigation, there was corrosion on a relay which stopped battery charging.  Clean with sand paper and all sorted.  Just use this example to show that there is probably a reason whey your battery was flat.  Smart camper Dollynoper!

Some manufacturers don't include cab battery charging from the 230v system so the only charge going to that battery is whilst the engine is running. Solar panels can be used to charge both batteries and the controller can be configured to decide the amount of charge going to both. What I have done on both my motorhomes (at Peedee's recommendation) is to fit a Battery Master (alternatives are available) which pushes excess charge from the leisure battery through to the cab battery to keep it in good condition. It seems to have worked so far!

David

The starter Battery on my Ducato began  giving 'age related ' trouble about three years ago***, so had it changed by my tame Service Man on its service + MOT day. Dammit after about six months of idling & shortish runs due to Covid lockdowns the new one started the same trick .  So with idle time available by the week or month I went hot foot to Halfords & purchased the

NOCOBOOSTPLUS GB40  and it performed brilliantly until 'van went back in for service when full checks gave a reduced capacity of 30% for the Ducky's replacement starter battery which was replaced free gratis and for nothing under warranty.

Now I have a good battery AND  a NOCO jobbie which did as it said on the box -- i.e. started the motor every time i needed it as well as providing a torch and back-up power for mobile fones etc etc  all for the price of 20 minutes charging by USB !!

All in all  BRIAN IS VERY 'APPY WITH HIS PURCHASE as are several neighbours who watched the regular start-up-games !!

*** The original battery was 12 years old - original equipment on a 12 reg FIAT 

Two things are getting confused here. I think the OP was asking about something suitable to start a vehicle with a flat battery. The reason for the flat battery probably requires a different solution.

Indeed, SB,  I was just commenting ( rather fully I admit  )  on the item Green Flag had suggested he might buy.  He only requested views on the NOCO since, as you say, there might be many unmentioned or unmentionable reasons for the battery going flat in the first place.