Hook up and starting engine?

[rf9ridrer]

Maybe a daft question, but if you are connected to EHU, is it safe to start and run the engine?
Thinking the leisure battery is getting a trickle charge from the electric, but wondering if the alternator would cause a problem?

 

[Lenny HB]

Best not too, some systems can cope with it some can't.
Why would you want to?

 

[CazPaul]

I posted about this a few years ago a lot said on here it was fine to do but on our Hymer S820 2004 it knackered the charger and Electroblock.

 

[GeoffnDee]

If your mains charger does not charge the starter battery as well as the leisure battery when on EHU, and cannot be set to charge both , fitting a Vanbitz battery master will enable a trickle charge to go to the starter battery from the leisure battery. It is very easy to fit and works very well.

 

[Lenny HB]

I posted about this a few years ago a lot said on here it was fine to do but on our Hymer S820 2004 it knackered the charger and Electroblock.

Unusual Elektroblock are normally OK with it.
Only problem I had was breaking the inlet socket when I drove away with it plugged in.

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[Puddleduck]

Only problem I had was breaking the inlet socket when I drove away with it plugged in.

Unfortunately we have done that as well In our case tha damage was to the site's bollard. We did admit to the damage and paid for the repair.

It would really help if there was a buzzer or similar that alerted the driver when the ignition is turned on with EHU still attached.

 

[hja]

Ours shouts at us or flashes lights or something.

 

[icantremember]

It would really help if there was a buzzer or similar that alerted the driver when the ignition is turned on with EHU still attached.

Our previous moho (Autocruise Augusta) had such a buzzer and I reckon should be fitted to all motorhomes...

 

[Verteuil Man]

Unfortunately we have done that as well In our case tha damage was to the site's bollard. We did admit to the damage and paid for the repair.

It would really help if there was a buzzer or similar that alerted the driver when the ignition is turned on with EHU still attached.

Our Hymer has a buzzer if the EHU is plugged in. Same with the habitation and cab steps if they are out and the satellite dish folds 8tself up. Does not empty the toilet though.

 

[rf9ridrer]

Best not too, some systems can cope with it some can't.
Why would you want to?

On EHU the vehicle battery is not being charged, so wanted to run the engine for a bit to keep the battery up.

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[rf9ridrer]

Thanks all, guess i will disconnect before starting up.

 

[icantremember]

Fit a Vanbitz Battery Master and solve your problem ... [Broken Link Removed]

 

[Cush]

rf9ridrer has it ever been able to charge the vehicle battery on ehu? A pic pf your control panel may help. The only AF panel I have seen had the option to draw from, or charge, the cab battery at the push of a button. You can tell if it’s working by looking at the voltage readings on the panel. If it goes up singificant,y the it is giving a charge.

cush.

 

[Lenny HB]

On EHU the vehicle battery is not being charged, so wanted to run the engine for a bit to keep the battery up.

You really don't want to do that unless you have deep pockets.
Modern diesels should be driven off immediately after starting. Should never be left on tickover from cold.

 

[Andycap]

Unusual Elektroblock are normally OK with it.
Only problem I had was breaking the inlet socket when I drove away with it plugged in.

I have been close to doing this a couple of times fortunately I have a long lead and managed to spot it at last moment. I don't suppose we are the first and won't be the last. Happy camping

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[PeterE1947]

Our Moto-Trek PVC has a Sergent power system which emits a loud warbling noise when the ignition is switched on if the EHU is connected and powered up. I haven't tested if it works with no power on the EHU. I have also drove away with the EHU still connected!! Not any more though.

 

[G-RMPS]

The cable doesn’t half stretch when you drive away, before one end or the other rips something out.

 

[Bobbydaisy]

Our Sargent unit on our Autotrail had a button on it to swap from leisure battery to starter battery charging . Wouldn’t sit with the engine running for any great length of time , invest in a plug in battery maintainer/charger to top up the starter battery when on hookup for extended periods, much cheaper than a new DPF you can permanently wire in the plug and socket lead to the starter battery so you can easily connect the maintainer/charger , we use the Optimate , link below. Also our solar panel controller charges the starter and leisure batteries, another way of maintaining the starter battery for you perhaps .

Optimate 6 AmpMatic 12V 5A Battery Charger & Optimiser TM182 OPT6

Optimate Battery Chargers Since 1994, Optimate high performance chargers have enhanced AGM, GEL, STD lead acid, and LiFePO4 lithium batteries lifespan and performance. Optimate is trusted by 15+ vehicle OEMs worldwide offering unique features like 'AmpMatic' current control, pulsed final...

www.tayna.co.uk

 

[Don Campbell]

The cable doesn’t half stretch when you drive away, before one end or the other rips something out.

And there was me thinking I was the only pillock who had ever done that.

 

[Ingwe]

The cable doesn’t half stretch when you drive away, before one end or the other rips something out.

Yes, keeping cable connected you can get to Dover from York in just over 7 hours and back in about 20 seconds!

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[Captain Yoghurtpot]

Our Sargent unit on our Autotrail had a button on it to swap from leisure battery to starter battery charging . Wouldn’t sit with the engine running for any great length of time , invest in a plug in battery maintainer/charger to top up the starter battery when on hookup for extended periods, much cheaper than a new DPF you can permanently wire in the plug and socket lead to the starter battery so you can easily connect the maintainer/charger , we use the Optimate , link below. Also our solar panel controller charges the starter and leisure batteries, another way of maintaining the starter battery for you perhaps .

Optimate 6 AmpMatic 12V 5A Battery Charger & Optimiser TM182 OPT6

Optimate Battery Chargers Since 1994, Optimate high performance chargers have enhanced AGM, GEL, STD lead acid, and LiFePO4 lithium batteries lifespan and performance. Optimate is trusted by 15+ vehicle OEMs worldwide offering unique features like 'AmpMatic' current control, pulsed final...

www.tayna.co.uk

Thats what I now do with a stand alone Ring battery charger plugged into a 240v socket in the van and inserted into a permanent live cigarette 12v socket, when at home if cab battery gets a little low and also when on site if on ehu.
The leisure battery is of course charging on ehu via the ancient on board charger.
When rolling however, both batteries charge from the alternator, which can also power the fridge on 12v.
Simple, but effective and works.

 

[Badknee]

Only problem I had was breaking the inlet socket when I drove away with it plugged in.

Lenny HB I can honestly say that I don’t remember ever being so stupid as to do that…………mind you I’ve a terrible memory

 

[Lenny HB]

Lenny HB I can honestly say that I don’t remember ever being so stupid as to do that…………mind you I’ve a terrible memory

Well it was outside the house and I rarely ever plug the van in.
Even worse I've done it on two vans.

 

[Monty777]

Unusual Elektroblock are normally OK with it.
Only problem I had was breaking the inlet socket when I drove away with it plugged in.

Been there, done that Lennie-feel a right fool don’t you……

 

[JaG]

Unusual Elektroblock are normally OK with it.
Only problem I had was breaking the inlet socket when I drove away with it plugged in.

Been there, done that...once.

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[Platelet]

On the ambulances we had the 230v shoreline to keep everything charged up. They are fitted with an auto-eject, which in essence is a solenoid which triggers under starter motor switch on and fires the plug out of the socket, this was devised due to the umpteen accidents, yours truly responsible for 3!

 

[Towat101]

Only problem I had was breaking the inlet socket when I drove away with it plugged in.

We have a laminated check list to avoid this, although it also includes "remove cab window blinds" which I now realise is a bit unnecessary.

 

[Steve-N]

I have a split charging solar system, so both the leisure and van starter batteries are being charged all the time.
Re driving off with the cable plugged in I always do a mirror check before moving, I can easily see the cable if I've overlooked it.
As a thought, it should be quite easy to rig up a small warning light on the dash which is illuminated when mains voltage is 'present' ie the ehu is connected !!

 

[rf9ridrer]

rf9ridrer has it ever been able to charge the vehicle battery on ehu? A pic pf your control panel may help. The only AF panel I have seen had the option to draw from, or charge, the cab battery at the push of a button. You can tell if it’s working by looking at the voltage readings on the panel. If it goes up singificant,y the it is giving a charge.

cush.

Only had the motorhome 4 weeks, its an older model, a Swift Ace Firenze, the control panel is this one in pic.
I have looked on youtube etc, someone says the cab icon button is for emergencies only to replace leisure battery source, someone else said you can charge the vehicle battery from this button?
I can check vehicle and battery voltage readings on the panel, but vehicle battery shows no change on EHU

 

[Otter Spotter]

Only had the motorhome 4 weeks, its an older model, a Swift Ace Firenze, the control panel is this one in pic.
I have looked on youtube etc, someone says the cab icon button is for emergencies only to replace leisure battery source, someone else said you can charge the vehicle battery from this button?
I can check vehicle and battery voltage readings on the panel, but vehicle battery shows no change on EHU

As a number have already suggested, get a Vanbitz Battery Master fitted it will do what you want without having to run your engine on idle.

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