Lazy-Ferret
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2012
- Messages
- 5,217
I have a Ring Automotive smart battery charger (RSC4A) which was in my T2, and now is in the Jeep. Great bit of kit, as it comes on in trickle charge mode, even if there is a power cut, which a lot of new battery chargers do not. Most need you to press a button or two to start charging.
I found a nice waterproof mains connector, which is a bit like the IEC computer plug, that fits in the rear door handle of the jeep, and you would not know it was there unless you look for it (it was expensive though). On the T2, I used the standard Blue 16amp connector, like used on caravans. It fits really nicely on the rear corner, under the brake lights. I connected it to two caravan mains sockets, let into the side panel of the boot and then plugged the charger and the hot start into that.
I must disagree with Rick, regarding charging the battery, the alternator on the T2 is only just up to the job of running all the electrical bits, when it is new, but as it ages, the output degrades. Not only that, but it only outputs the full charge current when the engine is at about 2300 rpm. When I checked mine, I was only getting 55amp out of it, not the 75amp that it should deliver. When you first start the car, on a frosty morning, and turn on the fan, heated rear window and mirrors, wipers, head lights, and heated seats (if fitted), while on tickover waiting for the screen to clear, you are drawing most of that current from the battery still, as the alternator is not outputting enough to cover it all, and top the battery up from the start and the parasitic drain from all the electronic devices fitted that run continually when the car is off. Do a few short drives like that, and the battery will definitely discharge.
I found a nice waterproof mains connector, which is a bit like the IEC computer plug, that fits in the rear door handle of the jeep, and you would not know it was there unless you look for it (it was expensive though). On the T2, I used the standard Blue 16amp connector, like used on caravans. It fits really nicely on the rear corner, under the brake lights. I connected it to two caravan mains sockets, let into the side panel of the boot and then plugged the charger and the hot start into that.
I must disagree with Rick, regarding charging the battery, the alternator on the T2 is only just up to the job of running all the electrical bits, when it is new, but as it ages, the output degrades. Not only that, but it only outputs the full charge current when the engine is at about 2300 rpm. When I checked mine, I was only getting 55amp out of it, not the 75amp that it should deliver. When you first start the car, on a frosty morning, and turn on the fan, heated rear window and mirrors, wipers, head lights, and heated seats (if fitted), while on tickover waiting for the screen to clear, you are drawing most of that current from the battery still, as the alternator is not outputting enough to cover it all, and top the battery up from the start and the parasitic drain from all the electronic devices fitted that run continually when the car is off. Do a few short drives like that, and the battery will definitely discharge.
