Tried to charge the units battery with my C-Tec via the external conections, red and black. As our van is rarely moved while managing parks the battery gradually goes flat. C-Tech is not capable of charging this unit because it relies on a trigger from the unit, that is the Break Safe. Rang the number at Holden Hill and they were very helpfull and i purchased a small charger from them that can be left attached continuously, trade price 19 dollars. For those who travel regularly the tow vehichle does the job.
The charger in the van for the deep cycle battery is 240v and when the battery is fully charged it turns off. The tug charges it when I'm on the road. I've been parked up for 18 mths now, so I have some homework to do before I hit the road again in a few months.
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
Obviously you've now overcome the problem and that's good. One thought for others who may have similar issues with C Tech chargers is to initially select the 13.6 v setting for a while to get the charging process started. In this setting the charger functions as a "stand-alone" power supply and doesn't need a battery connected to function. This is a suggestion only, I haven't tried it so it may or may not work. Also the 3.8 amp C Tech does not have this function so it doesn't apply to that model.
Another issue with the 3.8 amp model (only) is that sometimes it doesn't detect when a battery is fully charged if there is a load (such as a fridge etc) connected. This can be overcome by simply switching the charger off then back on. Unfortunately this is the only C Teck model that is suitable for charging small "SLA" batteries.
I aplogise for the confusion I may have caused with my battery charging comment. I don't have Break Safe on my van. Each state seems to have it's own rules on this matter. My van is a '98, formerly registered in NSW and now in WA. Can anyone define when the Break-safe is required?
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
CG, My understanding is that in SA a Breaksafe is required, if the van is over 2000KG and in my opinion your 20ft van would be over this. You could well already have a Breaksafe on your van and not noticed it.
If in the event of your van coming loose from your vehicle (while both are moving) and a Breaksafe was not fitted, there could be some insurance issues.
Lets hope you have it,a little steel cable with a loop on the A Frame and you connect the loop to the D Shackle on your vehicle.
No PeterInSA I don't have the little cable. My van is rego'd in WA and the gross weight is estimated at 2500kg. The tare weight of my van is 1500kg. When the van was checked at the time of transfer from NSW to WA rego there was no mention of the break safe cable. I'll do some checking. Thanks Peter.
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20ft Roma caravan - Mercedes Benz Sprinter - SA-based at the moment. Transport has no borders.
Management makes the decisions, but is not affected by the decisions it makes.
