I have looked for a thread on this subject but couldn't find it.
My neighbour asked me if you could hookup to site or home electric without a leisure battery connected in the van.
Like me he takes the battery out off season to trickle charge and wanted to put in heater to heat van before going away without battery connected.
I have never had need to do this so haven't a clue any advice appreciated
------------- It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.
If he just wants to power the heater during storage on the drive, running without a battery would be fine. As a precaution, ensure the charger is switched off and I would even insulate the battery terminals (in case he forgot there wasn't a battery and powered everything back up).
There is not a "catch all" answer, it depends on the charger unit fitted.
A van we had contained a specific warning notice that it must not be powered without a battery in place.
I don't know why, nor did I try to see if the warning was correct.
Thanks folks, I think it best if he takes a good look at his handbook. Or checks for a warning notice, they are usually on the inside of the wardrobe door.
I will go see him tomorrow and see if I can help.
------------- It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.
I can't see a problem with connecting a hook-up to the van, as long as the charger is switched off. Some chargers do not react well to being switched on without a load (battery) connected. If there is a circuit breaker on the main consumer unit in the van, that just cuts out the charger, I would switch it off.
As G7ACU says, make sure the battery terminals are separated and insulated, and I would leave a note near the charger to say that the battery was disconnected. But then I do have a terrible memory.
Thanks Colin..I will go see him tomorrow and see if I can help given the info you guys have passed on.
He is new to caravanning and knew I had a caravan so he came down later on today.
I told him I would ask the question and think he will be joining UKCS himself.
------------- It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.
JTQU is probably correct with regards to some vans carrying warnings, but the caution is only relevant to some design of 12v circuits requiring the battery in-situ for proper operation, i.e., when on site and using the van.
For your friends situation where he simply wants to provide 240v to power the heater, whilst the battery is removed, then this caution isn't applicable providing he protects the 12v circuit from damage as I've suggested above.
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Topic: Hookup without battery.
