black box battery charger

[slowbus]

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Hi guys, i have yet another newbie question.
Have been working on my van this weekend getting all the little jobs done and i'm wondering what to do with the black box charger under the back seat. At first it looked like it wasn't working but then i found a red wire lying loose and when i touched it against a multiblock connector the light reading 50% came on. So i'm thinking i should just connect up the loose wire, but there doesn't seem to be any on/off switch. Do these chargers stay on all the time? Also the rocker switch on the right says normal or wartungsfrei (maintenance free according to internet), can anyone tell me which position i should have this switch in.
I must add i have only looked at this with the ignition running, i havent tried it on hook-up yet
Once again thankyou in anticipation of the great help you guys are always giving me
John

[Hacksawbob]

at a guess its a 240V charger for charging from the mains when hooked up. If there are loose wires it would be a very good idea to get it checked out that everything is connected as it should be. Normal would be charging up the battery when its been run down "maintenance free" would be trickle charging the battery when its laid up like over winter.

[slowbus]

Thanks Hacksaw Bob
You make a lot of sense

[Oldiebut goodie]

Usually normal/maintenance free is used to differentiate between normal/maintenance free battery types.

[slowbus]

Hmmm, Oldiebut Goodie,
That makes sense too. I'm presuming if there is no on/off switch its ok to leave these things running all the time

[Oldiebut goodie]

Have you checked to see as to the power input - is there a mains connection to it? The fact that there isn't an off/on switch is odd if it is a mains unit - unless there is a remote switch for it. It isn't much of a charger whatever it is - it is rated at only 8A. Depending upon your leisure battery size ideally you need something like a 16/20A charger otherwise it will take you weeks to recharge a 110Ah leisure back up.
I think it needs closer examination unless someone recognizes the exact unit.

[slowbus]

Thanks for the help OG
There's a load of wiring under that back seat, I think maybe my next job should be tracing where it all goes. Perhaps I'll start researching internet for a better unit.
Cheers

[Hacksawbob]

Aldi have a reasonable charger on sale occasionally.