interesting job which i need advice on.

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.. )

Or a low current one connected into the ignition.....(as most imobilisors do). Obviously put the mains voltage relay in a sensible place and run the ELV wires to it.
 
Halfords sell a trickle charger which plugs into the cigarette lighter socket.
Regards
 
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.. )

Or a low current one connected into the ignition.....(as most imobilisors do). Obviously put the mains voltage relay in a sensible place and run the ELV wires to it.

I thought of a 5 pin commando type socket/ plug

Wire the ignition relay via two of the pins of the plug

Leave spare socket on site with two pins internally linked out

They cannot drive off till mains socket out and the linked socket inserted
 
A method I have seen in fire stations is a socket hanging from the ceiling, with a plug on a short lead attached to the vehicle. the plug and socket being of a design that easily frees without damage when pulled.

I don't know how they work, never seen one close up.

I think the plug lead came out of the vehicle roof so that it did not drag on the ground or dangle where it could be a nuisance or a danger.

Thinking about it, I don't know if it was for a sump heater or a battery charger (or both). I have seen sump heaters used a lot in very cold places so this must be a problem they've learned to cope with.
 
A method I have seen in fire stations is a socket hanging from the ceiling, with a plug on a short lead attached to the vehicle. the plug and socket being of a design that easily frees without damage when pulled.

I don't know how they work, never seen one close up.

I think the plug lead came out of the vehicle roof so that it did not drag on the ground or dangle where it could be a nuisance or a danger.

Thinking about it, I don't know if it was for a sump heater or a battery charger (or both). I have seen sump heaters used a lot in very cold places so this must be a problem they've learned to cope with.

They are Macardy 230volt reels, wired to a 13amp Duraplug (for quick release when the driver forgets to unplug, which happens more often than you might think) which is then connected to a 16amp commando plug/socket setup in the cab of the fire engine.
On the vehicles are a splitcharge system, when plugged in to the mains the vehicle batteries & compressor are charged, then when unplugged the system switches to alternator charge.
The charger system plugs do get damaged John, normaly because the crews forget to set off the retract function of the reel when they uplug the charge leads, so the rear wheels of the vehicle invariably run over the commando plugs......keeps me in regular work :lol:
 
I find an intelligent battery charger such as the Accumate http://www.international-tool.co.uk/products/product.asp?id=149 ideal for this kind of problem. Accumate make various connection accessories which can be fitted to the vehicle to allow quick connection of the charger.

The snag with using the cigarette lighter socket is that it's usually wired through the ignition switch: so you have to leave the keys in the vehicle if you're going to charge it that way, unless you rewire the socket.
 

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.


Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

 
Back
Top