HarmMinVan
Free Member
- Nov 10, 2022
- 5
- 8
- Funster No
- 92,380
- MH
- Ex-ambulance
Hi All - hoping I can get some advice, or some guidance towards a solution. Please forgive my total lack of knowledge around this!
I work for a charity and have recently purchased a Fiat Ducato ambulance to take support out into the community. However, as autumn has kicked in I have gone to switch on lights and heating etc to find it does not work.
Now, I thought all this would charge from the battery as it was driven around. I have since found that the leisure battery is another thing entirely.
The Van has a genysis system, which gives a reading of 'Chassis Bat 12.3, Aux batt 10.1' (if this is of any use), but using the auxilliary battery only gives a few minutes of power.
I think the van stood for a long time so think the battery may be dead. So I'm wondering my best course of action -
1- Buy a new battery. The leisure battery is an odyssey pc1700 - About £300. Could I use a cheaper alternative? or is that a false economy?
2- Buy a charging cable. There is a plug on the side of the van, an appropriate fitting to uk plug is about £100, which I am wary to spend if the battery is completely dead. But would I be needing to do this anyway, even with a new battery?
3- There are separate battery chargers available - is this an option? Are there specific types?
I am at a bit of a loss around this. As a charity I want to do this as cost effectively as possible, making sure we are able to stay warm and in the light while out on the streets at night!
All help is gratefully received - if there is anything else you need to know to support this let me know, though I am not close to the van everyday to be able to look at it
I work for a charity and have recently purchased a Fiat Ducato ambulance to take support out into the community. However, as autumn has kicked in I have gone to switch on lights and heating etc to find it does not work.
Now, I thought all this would charge from the battery as it was driven around. I have since found that the leisure battery is another thing entirely.
The Van has a genysis system, which gives a reading of 'Chassis Bat 12.3, Aux batt 10.1' (if this is of any use), but using the auxilliary battery only gives a few minutes of power.
I think the van stood for a long time so think the battery may be dead. So I'm wondering my best course of action -
1- Buy a new battery. The leisure battery is an odyssey pc1700 - About £300. Could I use a cheaper alternative? or is that a false economy?
2- Buy a charging cable. There is a plug on the side of the van, an appropriate fitting to uk plug is about £100, which I am wary to spend if the battery is completely dead. But would I be needing to do this anyway, even with a new battery?
3- There are separate battery chargers available - is this an option? Are there specific types?
I am at a bit of a loss around this. As a charity I want to do this as cost effectively as possible, making sure we are able to stay warm and in the light while out on the streets at night!
All help is gratefully received - if there is anything else you need to know to support this let me know, though I am not close to the van everyday to be able to look at it