jump leads

[Wilma]

One for you electrical buffs. Van is fitted with AAZ and normal alternator - 85amp? I make a habit of carrying jump leads just in case, for me or whoever else needs them. In my case the two batteries, main and leisure, are fitted side by side in the engine compartment, the positive terminals being about 4 inches apart. The negative of the leisure battery is hidden under the metalwork and requires removal of main batter to slide it out. My idea is to make up a very short heavy duty lead with two substantial crocodile clips so that, in the event of a flat battery, I can put one on the positive of the leisure and other on the positive of main to get a start. I am working on the idea that both batteries have a common negative earth to the vehicle. Will this work? This will mean that I don't have to get out the half mile of cable on my normal jump starts which then flap all over the engine compartment and are likely to get caught up where the shouldn't. My real question is this. Vehicle is fitted with Zig unit. Is this treatment likely to blow it up or do other nasties to it?

[R0B]

if its a proper leisure battery.dont even think of using it as a jumper battery.it will kill it.

[CovKid]

Better to invest time in making sure you don't get a flat battery in the first place. Get all your running light bulbs over to LEDs and consider modifying your dash a bit so you get ample warning if anything is left switched on when you no longer need it.

[pionte]

if its a proper leisure battery.dont even think of using it as a jumper battery.it will kill it.

As Rob says its not a good idea to use the LB to start the engine, they really arent designed to ' give ' the necessary amps for starting, however what you could do is make up the lead as you describe and in the event of a flat battery connect the two batteries together but DONT attempt to start the van but leave connected for 20 mins, disconnect and then start the engine.

You can buy something that plugs into a 12v cigarette type power adapter that plugs into another cars 12v cigarette socket and charges your battery

or this is a similar take on the same idea http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/12V-CAR-BATTERY-J ... 2203wt_911


not as quick as a jump start but will get you out of trouble.

Mart

[Wilma]

Sorry, Rob, I should have said that it is a good quality standard car battery. I don't use proper leisure batteries on car or boat because of their limitations.

After many years motoring I have learnt never to trust completely anything electrical or mechanical, nor to rely on anything being 'idiot proof'. We are all idiots sometimes and I am no exception. Hence the jump lead requirement - I get in some wild and wooly places sometimes and don't fancy a 50 mile walk for help.

Does anyone know the answer to my real question - will it bugger up the Zig unit? I don't want to suck it and see!

Malcolm

[VWCamperfan]

No, it won't, good idea and feel free to fiddle! Your Zig will be fine.

[Red Westie]

I agree. it will work and won't effect the zig unit, my only concern would be the the connections you intend to use, they really do need to be substantial and when not in use need to be completely safe with no chance of touching eachother or the body of the vehicle.

Martin

[jpennington]

Only one thing you need to be careful of. How thick is the earth (negative) lead from the leisure battery? It needs to be roughly as heavy as the jump lead you are planning to make.
On my Westy the earth for the leisure battery is only 2.5mm insulated wire. I use normal jump leads for both positive and negative connections; but this is easy as the batteries are just behind the front seats.

jp