Charging batterie(s) (1 Viewer)

johnp10

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Hi folks,
Is running the vehicle engine to keep the engine slack whilst connected to EHU bad for the batteries / charging system?
Advice appreciated
Cheers
John
 
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johnp10

johnp10

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Thanks, Pappajohn.
I did it today for a short while, then switched off the engine thinking it may not be a good idea.
Seem to have got away without blowing anything, everything appears to be as it should, all working ok.
Pleased I asked for future reference.
The link explains a lot.
Cheers
John

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M&L

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I've done it quite a few times over the years especially if parked up for a week or so at a time including a couple of times in the last month. I'm not an expert but it does not appear to have had any effect on my present van or previous ones.

Mike
 
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johnp10

johnp10

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Thanks Mike.
Its maybe a set up thing, or just down to luck?
I didn't blow anything either, but.....
It seems in principle not to be too good an idea?

John
 

Phil

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Oct 21, 2007
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It may depend on if you have the charger on or not and if you have a split charge system. So sooner than take a risk I always switch off or disconnect EHU before starting the engine.

Phil.

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onion

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It may depend on if you have the charger on or not and if you have a split charge system. So sooner than take a risk I always switch off or disconnect EHU before starting the engine.

Phil.
Hi phil was wondering if yr royale was same as mine, its a 1994 vw t4, was looking for a number of the 5pin charging rly thanks onion.
 

Douglas

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Hi folks,
Is running the vehicle engine to keep the engine slack whilst connected to EHU bad for the batteries / charging system?
Advice appreciated
Cheers
John

I'm not to sure what you mean by " to keep the engine slack" but I think there is a real chance of drawing currant from the domestic circuit when you start the engine. Probably best to disconnect the mains, start the engine and the reconnect the mains again.

But bear this in mind. It is not good practice to to run a diesel engine with no load for long periods of time, it tends to build up carbon in the head and pistons as the running temp is not high enough to complete the complete burning of the fuel. Its much better to take the van for a run if its the battery's you want to charge. or if its more heat you need that use the mains to run an electical heater.

Doug...
 
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CamperJohn

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Charging batteries

Running the engine whilst plugged in on mains is never a good idea. The on-board charger can charge either battery depending on selection; when the engine starts the split-charge relay picks up and you end up with two batteries being charged by a mains charger and the alternator simultaneously. Depending on the control systems there is the possibility of high currents circulating between the alternator and charger. Damage to the alternator could be expensive ! Don't do it. Trip the RCD or panel isolator before starting up. :Smile:

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johnp10

johnp10

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I'm not to sure what you mean by " to keep the engine slack" but I think there is a real chance of drawing currant from the domestic circuit when you start the engine. Probably best to disconnect the mains, start the engine and the reconnect the mains again.

But bear this in mind. It is not good practice to to run a diesel engine with no load for long periods of time, it tends to build up carbon in the head and pistons as the running temp is not high enough to complete the complete burning of the fuel. Its much better to take the van for a run if its the battery's you want to charge. or if its more heat you need that use the mains to run an electical heater.

Doug...

Cheers Doug.
Just for charging, not for heat.
Going fore a run seems the best, obviuos option.
Your comment on running diesels without load taken on board.
John
 

Loujess

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Charging battery and other things

I have had my EHU connected to our supply at home all day today. Is this ok and how long does it take to rully recharge the MH? Our last MH was a Hymer and the controls were much easier than on this panel. We have a commodore buccaneer which I think is similar to a compass drifter among others. Also, I believe we should be changing the water filter and that this is on top of, or close to, the water tank. Is this an easy job, are the filters easily available and how much is one likely to cost. I'm sure I'll get the hang of this in the end. We are off to the NEC in February so will be able to pick up some tips there. Thank you in advance.

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pappajohn

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I have had my EHU connected to our supply at home all day today. Is this ok and how long does it take to rully recharge the MH? Our last MH was a Hymer and the controls were much easier than on this panel. We have a commodore buccaneer which I think is similar to a compass drifter among others. Also, I believe we should be changing the water filter and that this is on top of, or close to, the water tank. Is this an easy job, are the filters easily available and how much is one likely to cost. I'm sure I'll get the hang of this in the end. We are off to the NEC in February so will be able to pick up some tips there. Thank you in advance.

it depends on what type of onboard charger you have....

a standard charger will overcharge the battery....not dangerous in itself, unless the battery gets really hot, but the battery electrolyte will boil off leaving the plates exposed which will cause them to fail and if theres any source of ignition near the battery the resulting gas can explode.

if you have a multi-stage charger its usually ok to leave it on as it only float charges once full charge is reached.
a regular charger will keep charging at the same rate even when the battery is fully charged.

if the van MUST be on hookup then turn off the charger and turn it on every week or two for a few hours just to top up the battery.

sorry cant help with the water filter...

Ooops...just noticed you said only for today. no problem with that.
 
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lorger

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Hi
I hadn't really thought about this before so will ad a few questions for you.

If i start my engine it turns off all the 12v in the back of the motorhome so does this mean it switches off the 12v even if i just turn ignition on 12v goes off.

How do i find my charger i have a peugeot 2.2hdi on a 2006 elddis autoquest 130 i have never thought of it and just assumed it would switch on and off when needed.

Thanks
Gerry
 

pappajohn

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Hi
I hadn't really thought about this before so will ad a few questions for you.

If i start my engine it turns off all the 12v in the back of the motorhome so does this mean it switches off the 12v even if i just turn ignition on 12v goes off.

How do i find my charger i have a peugeot 2.2hdi on a 2006 elddis autoquest 130 i have never thought of it and just assumed it would switch on and off when needed.

Thanks
Gerry

it depends how the relay's been fitted...switched or alternator sensed.
some switch with the ignition, some switch when the engines started.

easy way to find out....turn on a hab light then turn on the ignition without starting.
if the light goes out then its ign switched.

cant help with the charger location.

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lorger

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Hi Pappa
Yes it goes off as soon as you turn key and stays off when engine is running as for the charger while not looking for it i have had the van totally empty to clean it out and never noticed a charger unless its under the hood
 

pappajohn

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Hi Pappa
Yes it goes off as soon as you turn key and stays off when engine is running as for the charger while not looking for it i have had the van totally empty to clean it out and never noticed a charger unless its under the hood

not 100% sure but look in the wardrobe....the floor may have some screws and a removable floor panel...it should be under there.
 

lorger

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Cheers i'll have a look never thought of there as thats where my fire is but my mains switch is in wardrobe.

Gerry

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Loujess

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Crikey - this all sounds very technical but I won't be deterred. Have had a good look in MH today and feel as if I am moving towards our first trip in this one. Have looked everywhere but can't find the alarm but when I climbed out of the passenger door the damned thing went off. Husband pressed key and stopped racket but still can't find out where the key to the alarm goes. Very strange. Next step is to set aside an afternoon and switch the gas on so that we can test the heater and cooker. Husband says not to say this because you will think we are thickos. Do you? Oh well - worse things happen at sea. As a small extra, do the ovens in MHs work at the same temperature as home ovens?
 

pappajohn

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Crikey - this all sounds very technical but I won't be deterred. Have had a good look in MH today and feel as if I am moving towards our first trip in this one. Have looked everywhere but can't find the alarm but when I climbed out of the passenger door the damned thing went off. Husband pressed key and stopped racket but still can't find out where the key to the alarm goes. Very strange. Next step is to set aside an afternoon and switch the gas on so that we can test the heater and cooker. Husband says not to say this because you will think we are thickos. Do you? Oh well - worse things happen at sea. As a small extra, do the ovens in MHs work at the same temperature as home ovens?

the alarm sounder may be in the engine compartment and the key may kit the sounder itself.....toad and viper alarms were made like this.
i believe the key is just to disable the sounder, not turn the system on/off.

the cooker may take a little longer to heat up but the oven temps are the same.

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