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Charger flap question

Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 3:17 pm
by Teslas fag packet
Does it matter if you connect the avcon and close the flap but don't turn on the power? and can you turn off the mains before you open the flap and remove the AVCON.

I think it says in the manual you must open the flap to disconnect the mains Why is this, is it to prevent BMS confusion, PASS

I'm thinking economy 7 and a timer you see

Ta,
Tes

Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 7:05 pm
by Grumpy-b
Mine works fine if you plug in the berlingo / Avcon and then turn on at the mains when you need to.

No bad results yet!!

Grumpy-b

Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 10:19 pm
by ChrisB
Cant say I've had any issues doing any of the above and quite often insert one before the other, not complete full charges etc etc

Nothing seems to bother it :wink:

ChrisB

Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 11:07 am
by Flying John
I charge mine on the Eco 7 tariff via a timer with the Avcon pre connected with flap closed. No problem.

I think it would be kinder on the switching, if you are finishing the charge prematurely, to open the flap first - as I think this shuts down the charging so when you switch off, the switch is breaking virtually no current.

John

Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 1:56 pm
by arsharpe
Actually I am quite rough with my charging.

Starting: My Avcon is permanently powered and I just plug it in to start.

Stopping: I just pop the flap and unplugg without turning the mains off after charging had finished.

This probably needs checking, but it appears that it does not take current until the flap is closed.

I only ever had one problem early on when I stopped the charging before it was finished. Then the BMS light came on all the time the ignition was on until I completed a full charge. It drove ok with the light on until it had the full charge.

I am interested in the same thing as I might be working with a local guy who has some large PVs that is willing for me to buy leccy from him at the going rate during the midday period.

Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 2:43 pm
by timpootle
My understanding is what John said-Rob, you are actually following best practice, not rough at all.

I can see this using an energy meter in the socket. On startup, it does a dignostic for about 30 seconds before drawing lots of amps.

If you have to unplug it while it's still charging, open the flap first to unload the connectors. I would be wary of using a timer switch to STOP charging- leave the selected time segment longer than 8 hours, and stop it manually as required. I'm not sure the timer switch contacts would last too long if switched while passing 13A.

There will be no problem STARTING the charge with a time switch.

Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 3:16 pm
by Flying John
What you are doing is fine Rob. Popping the flap stops the charge so there is minimal current (probably zero) flowing when you actually unplug the Avcon.

Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 3:43 pm
by arsharpe
OK - thanks

Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 4:35 pm
by Teslas fag packet
Aaaaahhhh ok thanks you lot, So opening the flap stops the charge if it hasn't stopped already and have the timer run past the end of the charge period.

Great thanks

Also bought a new filing cabinet today and used my van as a van for the first time good eh

Man and machine 8)

Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 12:26 am
by ChrisB
Yep cant see any probs with what we are all doing, and I think (not 100% sure) but popping the flap or even closing the flap this just signals the controller to drop out of charging mode or even start charging so even if its running at full chat the actual switching is done electronically in side the controller.

I've never had the electronics light come on if I havent done a full charge Rob and I quite often top mine up all over the place sometimes only manage to bung 10% or 20% in which is enough to finish off a run.

ChrisB