using batteries when connected

[pikeyrm]

i have a shore power lead with a domestic plug on the end. would it be ok to use my battery on the boat while i have a battery charger plugged in and connected up to battery.

 

[VicS]

Yes.

Dont forget an RCD with your lead.

 

[pikeyrm]

there is no rcd with the lead.
i was thinking of just plugging in a charger from halfords,
would this cause problems then?

 

[VicS]

Not problems but an RCD is advisable for purely safety reasons. Risks with what you are proposing are minimal though but whenever I use an extension lead in the garden or on the boat I always use a plug in RCD (if I remember it!) Still does not eliminate all the risks anyway.

 

[elton]

I've been doing it for years. It's one of those Halfords 'smart' chargers that switch off the charging when the battery is fully charged. Beware that when the charger is unplugged from the mains and still connected to the battery, it draws a small current which will ultimately flatten it. We've got earth leakage trips on the pontoons so I don't bother with an RCD on the boat.

 

[pikeyrm]

i was more woried about excess power going thro the terminals as it would just be clipped onto the terminal, ? power to the buz bar and blowing fuses.

 

[elton]

Not sure exactly what you mean, but I've never had any fuses blowing because of the charger. I think the halfords charger outputs 5 or 6 Amps maximum, which the croc clips can handle easily when clipped straight onto the battery terminals. 5 or 6 Amps wouldn't be sufficient to keep the battery fully charged if you're running a lot of equipment, though it's quite enough to power my laptop, television and a few lights whilst also topping up the battery.

 

[pikeyrm]

thanks for the info it has put my mind at ease
will look at rcd but not worry too much about them

 

[elton]

By the way, there's a product recall on one model of the Halfords charger. I had mine swapped a few weeks ago.

 

[Otter]

[ QUOTE ]
i was more woried about excess power going thro the terminals as it would just be clipped onto the terminal, ? power to the buz bar and blowing fuses.


[/ QUOTE ] No problems, the output voltage is about 14v. A bit less than a diesel engine's alternator and it's OK to use equipment with the engine on!

 

[Csail]

Surely the supply box has an RCD?

 

[WoodyP]

[ QUOTE ]
By the way, there's a product recall on one model of the Halfords charger. I had mine swapped a few weeks ago.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for the link, I've got one of those and had no idea there was a recall. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[maxi77]

Indeed most do, but having seen the inside of our boxes that were replaced recently I prefer to have my own too. CPC the retail side of Farnell do an inline waterproof one ideal for this situation at a very reasonable price.

http://cpc.farnell.com/

Excellent online service and delivery, with good prices if you are carefull.