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Author Topic: Charging batteries on the move  (Read 1736 times)

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handy

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Charging batteries on the move
« on: 10 May 2008, 18:48:00 »
Hi everyone,


Ive just got home from work and after the same old routine of charging the 6 batteries for my power tools ZZzzzzz  40 mins :(

Is there any product i can buy that allows me to charge them on the move in the van, ???


Come on all the clever ones :)
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hotel21

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Re: Charging batteries on the move
« Reply #1 on: 10 May 2008, 18:51:27 »
solar panel?

12volt socket and power inverter?
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cbs2

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Re: Charging batteries on the move
« Reply #2 on: 10 May 2008, 19:02:39 »
300 watt inverter
charges everything while driving, laptops, drill batteries, torches etc.
Not all at the same time though ;)
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Mr Skrunts

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Re: Charging batteries on the move
« Reply #3 on: 10 May 2008, 19:14:51 »
Mine was £20 from Maplins.

Only used it once with the lappy as an MP3 player and Autroute to Wigan from Rotherham.

Brilliant, Thinking of permantly wiring mine into the car this time via a swich thats only live with ignition live.

They are a must have for many reasons
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Dazzler

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Re: Charging batteries on the move
« Reply #4 on: 10 May 2008, 19:39:05 »
Yep inverter is the way to go ;)
You can get anything from 50w upto 3000w, all down to what you need and how much you want to pay.

I have a 2500w in my van, doesn't just charge it can power as well :y
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Entwood

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Re: Charging batteries on the move
« Reply #5 on: 10 May 2008, 21:19:50 »
I have one of these, 150W is plenty for charging powertool batteries IMHO

http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=218810&doy=10m5

at only £30 it works for me .. :)
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handy

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Re: Charging batteries on the move
« Reply #6 on: 10 May 2008, 23:12:48 »
Im going to buy one in the morning.   I dont really want it in the cab with me plugged into the ciggy point,    

Is there someway i could hard wire it into my rear lights or interior light in the back of the van somewhere??
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Vamps

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Re: Charging batteries on the move
« Reply #7 on: 10 May 2008, 23:15:49 »
Quote
Im going to buy one in the morning.   I dont really want it in the cab with me plugged into the ciggy point,    

Is there someway i could hard wire it into my rear lights or interior light in the back of the van somewhere??

I guess you fit a socket anywhere where you can find an ignition switch controled live, otherwise you will flatten the van battery. imho
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handy

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Re: Charging batteries on the move
« Reply #8 on: 10 May 2008, 23:26:58 »
Are the interior lights ignition controlled?
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Entwood

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Re: Charging batteries on the move
« Reply #9 on: 10 May 2008, 23:28:10 »
The inverter I have as an on/off switch .. so could be wired direct to the battery and switched off when not required ??

Unless you don't trust your memory .....    :)
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Taxi_Driver

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Re: Charging batteries on the move
« Reply #10 on: 10 May 2008, 23:36:10 »
Quote
The inverter I have as an on/off switch .. so could be wired direct to the battery and switched off when not required ??

Unless you don't trust your memory .....    :)

Dunno where/what your plugging it into....the inverter i mean....

But if you've got a facelift omega.....plug the invertor into the rear ciggie lighter.......it stays on for 15mins after you've turned off the ign......then it turns off  :y
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Entwood

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Re: Charging batteries on the move
« Reply #11 on: 10 May 2008, 23:54:21 »
Quote
Quote
The inverter I have as an on/off switch .. so could be wired direct to the battery and switched off when not required ??

Unless you don't trust your memory .....    :)

Dunno where/what your plugging it into....the inverter i mean....

But if you've got a facelift omega.....plug the invertor into the rear ciggie lighter.......it stays on for 15mins after you've turned off the ign......then it turns off  :y

Thats what I do with mine !! and the inverter sits in the rear footwell with whatever is being charged ... I don't mind it being "visible" ... but if handy wants to hide it .. ....  :(

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Kevin Wood

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Re: Charging batteries on the move
« Reply #12 on: 10 May 2008, 23:59:49 »
Bear in mind that these devices can take a hefty current when loaded. If it's not designed to be plugged into a lighter socket, it probably needs a dedicated feed from the battery to be safe. Interior light feeds and the like are not designed to take this sort of current.

As with a supply to an audio amplifier, work out the maximum current draw, get some cable that's up to the job and run a positive feed from the battery, with a fuse protecting the circuit as close to the battery as possible. The negative supply connection to the inverter can be made to the vehicle body at a convenient point close to the fitted location.

150 watts at 12 volts is over 12 amps, and a lighter socket is normally rated at about 10. This assumes that the inverter is 100% efficient, which they're not, of course, so the actual current will be 15 amps or more.

Anything bigger certainly needs a dedicated circuit installing.

Having said this, a charger for a power tool is probably only going to take a few tens of watts, so it doesn't need to be a large inverter.

If you need it to switch off with the ignition, fit a relay in the circuit capable of taking the expected load and connect the coil to an ignition switched feed.

Kevin
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tmx

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Re: Charging batteries on the move
« Reply #13 on: 11 May 2008, 01:56:19 »
get an ex bt transit

has a second alternator on the engine rated to 1kva i think ill check the sticker on monday!
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Mr Skrunts

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Re: Charging batteries on the move
« Reply #14 on: 11 May 2008, 19:11:46 »
Quote
The inverter I have as an on/off switch .. so could be wired direct to the battery and switched off when not required ??

Unless you don't trust your memory .....    :)

Just add a relay that is then controlled via the ignition switch
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