I have been approached by a company with the following problem, they have a van which is only used once a month or maybe once every 2 months, the problem is that battery goes flat over the down time, it is a new battery and they don't want to take the battery out of the van every time. they are asking is i could put a charging unit in the engine compartment and a waterproof plug in on the outside wing, is this vaiable and safe and where could i get a charging unit like this? RS or CPC?
interesting job which i need advice on.
- Thread starter markymark2406
- Start date
We did a similar thing recently. We took a feed from an already fitted ceeform appliance inlet to the side panel of the van, and fitted a charger in the bulkhead above the cab. This trickle charged the battery. The garage who got us to do this job fitted a timer under the dash which turned the head lights on for a short while every day, as they said batteries prefer to also 'be doing something' rather than just being charged.
This was for a cherry picker that a CCTV company owned.
This was for a cherry picker that a CCTV company owned.
this is also a cherry picker, have you details about product and price?
To be honest, no.
The garage supplied the charger. We just supplied the 240v stuff and wired it. They even ran the cables from the charger to the batteries (I believe there where two)
The garage supplied the charger. We just supplied the 240v stuff and wired it. They even ran the cables from the charger to the batteries (I believe there where two)
Another idea is to interface the ignition somehow so , the thing cant start whilst plugged in.
We do refridge vans and the amount of drivers who drive off with the lead still in.
We do refridge vans and the amount of drivers who drive off with the lead still in.
Me too.
Atleast 2 or 3 drive-offs per month
Interfacing to the ignition on the vehicles is just not finacially realistic though, especially as they change the vehicles every 5 yr or so on rotation, so have a couple new ones arriving every couple months.
The company we work for has a bonus scheme for drivers and loaders (the loading team drive the lorries from the yard to the loading bays at night). Still happens though.
It is more of a problem (fork truck damage too) during the high seasons with seasonal staff (who dont want to be working!).
A large capacity mains powered relay wired to the incommer, and cutting the wire to the coil would immobilize the van if the plug is on.. ( not if it's in but switched off though.. )
as for the plug, a simple caravan hook up would do the job..
trickle chargers are availably from RS.. I have used some in a panel built to controll a gas engine generator.. one to charge the panels battery backup, and one to charge the engines starter battery..
as for the plug, a simple caravan hook up would do the job..
trickle chargers are availably from RS.. I have used some in a panel built to controll a gas engine generator.. one to charge the panels battery backup, and one to charge the engines starter battery..
because then you'd need to take the vehicle back to the place where the ELV is.. with the mains idea you just have a regular 13A plug on one end of the lead and can charge it anywhere..
I'd go for the battery guard system we have used these on fire appliances (see link for info)
http://213.143.4.21/battery-guard-2000-100amp.htm
What is the battery type?
If it's gelpack deep charge type then I'd defo go for the battery guard, mainly because if the charger packs up or is forgotten to be plugged in, the gelpacks drop below 7volt they cannot be recharged, but they can be refreshed (cheepest company we found for refreshing is £57 + vat per battery).
The gels also need cycle charging not trickle charging.
http://213.143.4.21/battery-guard-2000-100amp.htm
What is the battery type?
If it's gelpack deep charge type then I'd defo go for the battery guard, mainly because if the charger packs up or is forgotten to be plugged in, the gelpacks drop below 7volt they cannot be recharged, but they can be refreshed (cheepest company we found for refreshing is £57 + vat per battery).
The gels also need cycle charging not trickle charging.
Surely if it is going to be stood for a long time it will be in a designated place? I'm not the keenest fan on running 240v out to a vehicle from any old supply which can be left plugged in and driven off, like happens occasionally at work (24v system).
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