WheelchairDriver

http://www.prioritystart.com/mobility.php

May be of interest to some of us. It disconnects your vans battery if its voltage drops below that where it will start the van so saving you dead battery issues. And it still allows the ramp to work. It can be reset by any pulse, such as flashing your lights.

Great Find!
This looks like a good idea.
I guess it would tell you how it connect it up to the light switch.
Usually if we leave the car standing for a week, My partner would start the engine before we use the access ramp, This device looks good.

Has anyone tried one yet?

100!

Sorry, Could not resist!

My 100th post.

(think i should get out more)

No I have not tried one. Was actually looking for a relay I could DISCONNECT fast at will for the BM3 in the event anything bad happens with my own joystick, power supply, cables, Roboteq controller internally, software etc. So I can stop it instantly in the event it wants to drive me under a bus or worse!

Looks interesting, but seems like it might cause problems as well... My understanding is that modern cars have some of their electronics that get upset if they don't have power to them at all time... Some of this is supposed to be security (i.e. making the radio not work if it's stolen) not sure about other reasons, but it's enough that they sell extra "bypass battery" kits that a mechanic is supposed to connect if he needs to disconnect the car battery....

What does this gizmo do to these components?

ex-Gooserider

It depends. Essentials can be wired direct to the battery. But theres no need. The only thing that is a problem may be the radio code. So you connect this to the battery before the gadget if you cant remember it. Or write it in a hidden place.

This is an emergency measure only.

The best safety options are:
a) A maintainance charger connected if you are not using the van. Or a sensible sized solar charger on your dashboard when unused.

b) 12V Anderson option on van dashboard AND chair, and one externally in case you need to power ramp with a totally flat van battery.
Like this: http://www.wheelchairdriver.com/faster- ... arging.htm

Trouble with these devices are they save enough power to start engine, but by the time you've opened electric door, lowered vehicle and deployed ramp and got the key in the ignition, battery not got enough g uts to start the engine. I've had a 'Battery Brain' http://www.tayna.co.uk/Battery-Brain-Platinum-12-Volt-P7652.html fitted. More trouble then their worth! My cure for flat batteries was Odyssey 1500 battery.

Well that depends on the voltsage the specific device actually cuts off power. Which we dont know as usual!