charging batteries

when i hook up our duetto to to the mains does this charge both the batteries?also when the vehicle is not in use for long periods how often and for how long should i charge them? 

What year is your Duetto?

The MK5 only charges the habitation battery, the MK7 can be switched between the habitation and the vehicle battery.

Both MK5 and MK7 (probably the MK4 and MK6 as well) only have normal 12 volt power units which run at (from memory, 13.6 volts) and so can never fully charge a lead-acid battery. You need up to 14.7 volts for a wet lead-acid and 14.4 for a gel battery.

As a suggestion only, charge both batteries for half an hour every week, or better still take the vehicle out for a run every week or so.

i echo sposby's comment.we take our van for a day out about once a fortnight.it has other benefits as well, plus a nice day out in winter which we all need. g

cheers guys.its a 1996 duetto by the way.if i have the battery charging option how do you switch from one to the other?

A 1996 Duetto is on a MK5 Transit, so you don't have switching (unless a previous owner has modified the van).

mickenbacker 330 wrote:when i hook up our duetto to to the mains does this charge both the batteries?also when the vehicle is not in use for long periods how often and for how long should i charge them? 

Hi if you can disconnect your batteries,Its not hard ,then you can leave them for weeks if not months. I do without a problem. Some of us are not with our vehicles so that's the only way that's easy ans safe.
If you want to run your motor i suggest a proper run of about half an hour or so. Its important to get the oil up to temperature.Water will be up to temperature very quickly. remember 90 % of wear occurs on starting.
best regards
Mike

Hi there,

I stick one of these on the dashboard and plug it into the cigarette lighter.

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No problems after two years - and the van faces north when it's parked up at home!

Best regards,
 

Hi Ian,the output of that panel in winter UK is about zero. However you van is basically, no identical, to mine and use nothing when turned off.However you use your van all the time.So that is the best way.
Mine this year is snug under a teacozy or cover as you call it.Snug as a bug in a rug as i remember the saying.
regards

Mike

Dutto wrote:Hi there,

I stick one of these on the dashboard and plug it into the cigarette lighter.

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No problems after two years - and the van faces north when it's parked up at home!

Best regards,
 

This is good advice given that the MK4, 5, 6 and 7 Transits have cigarette lighter sockets which are live all the time (don't know about the MK1, 2 and 3, but probably the same).

With the Fiat / Peugeot range, I believe the sockets are only live with the ignition turned on, so without re-wiring, this simple dodge won't work with these vehicles.

Spospe wrote:

Dutto wrote:Hi there,

I stick one of these on the dashboard and plug it into the cigarette lighter.

[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

No problems after two years - and the van faces north when it's parked up at home!

Best regards,
 

This is good advice given that the MK4, 5, 6 and 7 Transits have cigarette lighter sockets which are live all the time (don't know about the MK1, 2 and 3, but probably the same).

With the Fiat / Peugeot range, I believe the sockets are only live with the ignition turned on, so without re-wiring, this simple dodge won't work with these vehicles.

 Boxers up to 2002 have 'live' cigarette lighters, those after need ignition on. I've used a 4.8w dashboard panel for a few years now and never suffered a flat battery since having it, so I've just had my Nuevo rewired so the socket is live all the time.

Hi Dutto,

Just catching up on all the posts on the site,
Can you tell me what Battery charger you have ,
1.5, 1.8, 4, or 7 Watt,
As it looks a good idea for my 1995 Duetto.

Cheers and A Happy New Year to Everybody..        


Mrs Justchillin   

im liking Dutto,s solar panel charger idea.  does it charge both the van and leisure battery at the same time when plugged into the cigarette lighter socket ? 

mickenbacker 330 wrote:im liking Dutto,s solar panel charger idea.  does it charge both the van and leisure battery at the same time when plugged into the cigarette lighter socket ? 

No.

Engine battery only. There is presumably a 12v socket somewhere in the habitation area so you could plug the solar panel into that to charge the leisure battery or connect by crocodile clips to the leisure battery. I use two panels, one connected to each battery.

Paulmold wrote:Engine battery only. There is presumably a 12v socket somewhere in the habitation area so you could plug the solar panel into that to charge the leisure battery or connect by crocodile clips to the leisure battery. I use two panels, one connected to each battery.

If you have the TV drop-down shelf fitted above the third travel seat, there is a 12 volt socket there, which could take a solar panel output and feed it to the habitation battery.