Can I use jumpstart lugs to charge battery?

[Matt Alber]

Motorhome is built on the Fiat Ducato chassis.

The Fiat manual says to charge the vehicle battery direct onto the battery terminals. However, a mate said I can charge the battery using the jumpstart lugs in the engine bay.

Is there any issue to charging using the jumpstart lugs?

It would save the hassle of taking up the carpet and access hatch to attach the charger to the terminal.

 

[TheBig1]

you can charge via the jump start points under the bonnet normally as this is what the dealers do on their forecourts

 

[Matt Alber]

Thanks for quick response advice, will certainly same time and hassle.

Lesson learned though is after this lockdown is over I'm getting a solar panel fitted and the kit to charge vehicle battery with leisure battery.

 

[stevewagner]

You can but it will take longer due to the voltage drop.

 

[Matt Alber]

You can but it will take longer due to the voltage drop.

That's okay I have at least 3 weeks to get it done

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[stevewagner]

That should do it

 

[IRHP]

Does your mains hook up not charge the engine start battery?

 

[pappajohn]

You can but it will take longer due to the voltage drop.

Volt drop?
The cables are of a size (16/25mmsq) capable of turning the engine and are comparatively short.
The charger cables may be 2.5mmsq max.... Volt drop is a result of excessive distance or too small for the distance.
How can there be a volt drop?

 

[PeteH]

You can but it will take longer due to the voltage drop.

As the Start point(s) are directly connected to the battery, and would be sized (one assumes) to cope with a Jump start current, I suggest that any voltage drop would be so minimal as to be of no consequence. Some manufacturers recommend disconnecting the battery before charging, to avoid issues with electronic devices.

 

[Matt Alber]

Does your mains hook up not charge the engine start battery?

Unfortunately not EHU only charges the leisure battery.

Some manufacturers recommend disconnecting the battery before charging, to avoid issues with electronic devices.

Good point Fiat instruction is to remove the negative connection before charging.

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[Nixdorfer]

Get yourself a vanbitz battery master and it will give a bit of charge back to the starter battery when on EHU and solar

 

[Neil Bedwin]

Unfortunately not EHU only charges the leisure battery.



Good point Fiat instruction is to remove the negative connection before charging.

On our Swift we can press a button on the control panel to connect the engine battery to the leisure battery. Can you not do that in your Swift?

 

[Matt Alber]

On our Swift we can press a button on the control panel to connect the engine battery to the leisure battery. Can you not do that in your Swift?

I noticed today the vehicle battery was charging the vehicle battery, the system automatically monitors both batteries and charges accordingly from EHU or solar.

I need to spend more time reading the manuals