Not being able to run our van in lockdown
27 replies
Tinwheeler replied on 09/04/2020 17:34
Posted on 09/04/2020 17:25 by ABMNot sure about charging the battery, TW, but my 2012 Ducky was as flat as a pancake last week. I called 'Green Flag ' and they turned up after 3/4 of an hour, agreed with my opinion and lifted t' bonnet attached the brief-case type battery to the under bonnet points. After a couple of minutes he smiled, turned the ignition key and vavoom away it ran. Every other day since then I have given it a run { static or mobile
} and it's not exhibited any signs of trouble apart from a strange movement of the fuel gauge !!.
Posted on 09/04/2020 17:34
That’s the benefit of the under bonnet connectors, Brian. I bought a battery starter pack as you described because those modern lekky bits seem to drain the battery in the blink of an eye at times and I had no wish to wake up one morning somewhere like Altnaharra and find the battery had pancaked. Mind you, it would be a good excuse to stay longer…
EmilysDad replied on 09/04/2020 17:37
Posted on 09/04/2020 17:25 by ABMNot sure about charging the battery, TW, but my 2012 Ducky was as flat as a pancake last week. I called 'Green Flag ' and they turned up after 3/4 of an hour, agreed with my opinion and lifted t' bonnet attached the brief-case type battery to the under bonnet points. After a couple of minutes he smiled, turned the ignition key and vavoom away it ran. Every other day since then I have given it a run { static or mobile
ABM replied on 09/04/2020 17:46
ABM replied on 09/04/2020 17:48
Posted on 09/04/2020 17:34 by TinwheelerThat’s the benefit of the under bonnet connectors, Brian. I bought a battery starter pack as you described because those modern lekky bits seem to drain the battery in the blink of an eye at times and I had no wish to wake up one morning somewhere like Altnaharra and find the battery had pancaked. Mind you, it would be a good excuse to stay longer…
cyberyacht replied on 09/04/2020 17:53
Tinwheeler replied on 09/04/2020 17:55
Posted on 09/04/2020 17:53 by cyberyachtI've charged my 2016 Boxer based MH via the connections under the bonnet without issue. I've since run a connection from the engine battery to the solar controller with a 90/10 split in favour of the habitation battery to save periodic charging.
Tinwheeler replied on 09/04/2020 17:56
EmilysDad replied on 09/04/2020 18:01
Posted on 09/04/2020 17:46 by ABMI did not say how long it gets run, MM !! I always did this even back in the days of A35 vans & dynamo's, snow, ice and Emergency Call-outs !! It gets a long enough run to keep the amps nicely stirred up I assure you
Posted on 09/04/2020 18:01
I did not say how long it gets run, MM !!
I know you didn't but it takes a very long time at idle to make a notable difference to your battery's charge .... you'd be really popular with your neighbours running your engine for hours on end 🙄
Anyway ... not a problem I have 🙂
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cyberyacht replied on 10/04/2020 07:21
Posted on 10/04/2020 07:21
TW, the handbook says to use the connections under the bonnet to "jump start" but to use a charger, the battery should be disconnected. I have not observed this instruction having, in the past, utilised the "jump start" connections to charge the battery with no ill-effects. As I posted earlier, it now has a permanent connection to the solar supply.
Tinwheeler replied on 10/04/2020 08:17
Posted on 10/04/2020 07:21 by cyberyachtTW, the handbook says to use the connections under the bonnet to "jump start" but to use a charger, the battery should be disconnected. I have not observed this instruction having, in the past, utilised the "jump start" connections to charge the battery with no ill-effects. As I posted earlier, it now has a permanent connection to the solar supply.
Posted on 10/04/2020 08:17
Same as my book, CY. Disconnecting the battery obviously eliminates use of the jump start connections. I suspect charging with the battery connected means the ECU runs for the whole of the duration of the charge. However, you seem to have got away with it.
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Motorhomer