Electric bike charging on the go

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wildebus said:
There is meant to be a 15 minute delay before the switchover to gas after the 12V supply is removed, based on the assumption that the driver may have stopepd for fuel (and would be done and dusted within 15 minutes if refueling).
This is how the Thetford AES is setup and I think is the standard?
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Thanks for that. I'll pass that to my friend. I haven't got that feature with my fridge, but then I also haven't got a 'crash shut-off'. So I always isolate the gas at the bottle before driving. My friend has an auto-changeover and told me that his fridge fired up while he was refuelling -- hence my wariness of that feature.
 
GeoffL said:
Thanks for that. I'll pass that to my friend. I haven't got that feature with my fridge, but then I also haven't got a 'crash shut-off'. So I always isolate the gas at the bottle before driving. My friend has an auto-changeover and told me that his fridge fired up while he was refuelling -- hence my wariness of that feature.
Click to expand...
I'm tempted to time the switchover now to check both there is a delay and for how long .....
 
wildebus said:
There is meant to be a 15 minute delay before the switchover to gas after the 12V supply is removed, based on the assumption that the driver may have stopepd for fuel (and would be done and dusted within 15 minutes if refueling).
This is how the Thetford AES is setup and I think is the standard?
Click to expand...
Mine is a AES (auto Energy sensing) fridge. but I just select manual and it will stay on Gas. :)

Even when I fill up with diesel !!! 🔥🧯
 
If you have a B2B (battery to battery) charger and your fridge is running off 12v when driving your charging current to the batteries is unaffected. The alternator just works a bit harder. A B2B charger is a good way to ensure that the leisure battery is charged quickly so is worth fitting anyway.
 
Has anyone tried anything like this

12V In Car Cigarette Lighter Socket 24V-29.4V 2A Lithium-Ion Battery Charger​

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As low as £39.80
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SKU
PWT2201
  • * This charger can ONLY be used In Car or Motorhome with a 12V Cigarette Lighter Socket. It must not directly connect to the mains socket, as it will destroy the charger and can cause a fire!!
 
Gus the bus said:
Has anyone tried anything like this

12V In Car Cigarette Lighter Socket 24V-29.4V 2A Lithium-Ion Battery Charger​

0%
Add your review
As low as £39.80
In stock

SKU
PWT2201
  • * This charger can ONLY be used In Car or Motorhome with a 12V Cigarette Lighter Socket. It must not directly connect to the mains socket, as it will destroy the charger and can cause a fire!!
Click to expand...
Interesting, but I think most bike batteries are either 36 or 48v.
 
Just had a browse on that site and I see they have the higher voltage output version too. I think it might be necessary to upgrade the fuse and perhaps the cable for the socket.
I'm not sure if I'd risk using it, knowing how expensive the bike batteries are. I've recently had to have mine re-celled so I'm being very careful!
 
Fiona B said:
Hi, we have tried in the past to charge our bike from onboard invertor with mixed success so looked for alternative. We have recently bought a small 'suitcase' petrol generator and this fits in the boot of our campervan. We used it for the first time this weekend. Have a lead that connects from generator to external hook up connection so can then use mains supply inside. Bike battery had 2 lights out of 4 lit after our ride and took just under 2 hrs to charge 2 bike batteries. We wild camped but we're only van so noise not an issue. Got a quiet generator and ran in eco mode and not that annoying when sat in the van.Can give you more info if interested.
Click to expand...
So why not cut out the middleman and just buy a moped ? 😁
 
bartman said:
We have a 150w solar panel with 2x100ah batteries, but even on a sunny day it's not possible to charge both bike batteries fully as has been said.
One of our favourite places is Lyndon Top as there are great rides around Rutland Water and surrounding area - but of course there is no electric hookup there so we can't ride every day. I did consider a small generator but the van is too small even for a suitcase type as we only have under-seat storage, no "garage". Even if it would fit I suspect there would be an unwanted smell of petrol inside.
So we now subscribe to the CCC (I won't use the other lot!) and try ro stay at reasonably a priced CS with hookup. We can then recharge the bike batteries overnight ready for the next day.
Click to expand...
Just a mention on battery charging, I have have had to renew my wife bike battery recently. Left it to long in-between charges what with lockdown and forgetting about it. Anyway had the battery cells renewed at a great shop in Corby (Motorsavers Corby) . They gave me some great advise on how to look after your lithium battery. One thing they told me not to leave your battery on charge over night. Always leave it for a least on hour after use, to give the batteries time to cool down as they take more of a charge once cold. Will give the batteries a lot longer life, before you need to buy replacement . Just thought I pass this valuable information on ,because I was never told this when purchasing our bikes.
 
At £285 each (for our bikes replacement batteries) we will be paying heed to this and the advice that came with our ebike batteries!
 
@alli B : Thanks for some excellent advice; both regarding not leaving it too long between charges and also that companies exist to replace the cells of battery packs for less than the cost of the replacement packs. If you're of a DIY mind, there are also instructional videos and web pages that tell you how to do this yourself.

FWIW, Cyclotricity (who supplied our conversion kits) recommend topping up once a month during prolonged non-use. They even sent me a few email reminders during lockdown to put the batteries on charge.
 
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I've just ordered a 36-42v 12v ebike charger as it'll be more efficient than the mains one through a temporary inverter. Only 1.5A but battery is 10AH so max 7hrs to charge (mains charger was 2A so not much difference)

Arrives tomorrow, will test over the weekend. (bought from ebay and these guys: https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/powatechnic09/m.html?item=173772977403&var=472441770150&rt=nc ) (Seems to be the same company as mentioned by @Gus the bus )

(ETA: The mains charger via a naff temporary inverter pulls c. 9A @ 12v - so 2A in "losses" which I can believe judging by the heat given off the tiny inverter! 300W solar easily covers this if the sun is out)
 
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I’ve just bought a 36v 20 amp battery for my bike .Ive 400watts of solar and 200amp of lithium batteries so not bothered how long it takes to charge lolol
 
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wildebus said:
There is meant to be a 15 minute delay before the switchover to gas after the 12V supply is removed, based on the assumption that the driver may have stopepd for fuel (and would be done and dusted within 15 minutes if refueling).
This is how the Thetford AES is setup and I think is the standard?
Click to expand...
So ref the above statement.... don't know what idiot said that!

Went out today in the van. Fridge switched from gas to 12V automatically when starting the engine. turned off engine after a minute (forgot something in the house) and looked at the fridge... back on gas. There does not seem to be the delay I spoke of and I am sure I read about in the Therford manual :( Going to have to look at again to see but either way, no time delay to be relied on it seems.
 
wildebus said:
So ref the above statement.... don't know what idiot said that!

Went out today in the van. Fridge switched from gas to 12V automatically when starting the engine. turned off engine after a minute (forgot something in the house) and looked at the fridge... back on gas. There does not seem to be the delay I spoke of and I am sure I read about in the Therford manual :( Going to have to look at again to see but either way, no time delay to be relied on it seems.
Click to expand...
mines almost immediately after ignition off, Thetford
 
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