I have to agree

Heated screens use a very hefty amount of power.
It won't take long to drain a battery if left on without the engine running.

Also, if the engine isn't running above idle, then the alternator is unlikely to be providing enough charge to keep the screen running (40 amps is a lot).
So an automatic 5 min timer is a good idea.

And I seem to remember that the screens shouldn't be used for longer than 10 mins? Although I can't remember where I heared that.
 
captainbeaky said:
I have to agree

Heated screens use a very hefty amount of power.
It won't take long to drain a battery if left on without the engine running.

Also, if the engine isn't running above idle, then the alternator is unlikely to be providing enough charge to keep the screen running (40 amps is a lot).
So an automatic 5 min timer is a good idea.

And I seem to remember that the screens shouldn't be used for longer than 10 mins? Although I can't remember where I heared that.
Click to expand...

I am with you captainbeaky with only a small LED to see when it is working as the screen will give no indication of its status unless it is melting ice and you would want it on then.
Leaving it switched ON when the alternator is not running would be easy and foolhardy. Put an interlocking safety system in when installing and no worries your hand will be held tightly.:D:D
 
A heated screen does not need 40 amps - that's close to what 4 glow pugs need...
Seeing as you all seem so worried about flattening your batteries with heated front screens,may I suggest you design and fit interlocks to prevent you from engaging the starter motor while the gearbox is engaged in a forward or reverse gear....
Or you could just use a little thought and pay attention to what you are supposed to be doing.
 
You could have the split charge for the caravan run by a cute little switch - you could then remove the automatic charging circuit from the alternator, and have a little lever to control it - after all, we all watch the voltmeter really closely, and its really better to control the charge to the battery by hand.

The little lever could be next to the lever that opens the coolant thermostat - after all, who would be so stupid as to leave the thermostat closed once the engine has warmed up - huh?

While you are messing around in there - take all the synchs out of the gearbox - you don't really need them in there do you? We all love double de-clutching so much, don't we.





Sorry - I disagree - a system that runs when the engine is running and times out is a good idea for a couple of reasons.

1. Obvious possibility of battery drain when the engine is not running.

2. Not so obvious battery drain when engine IS running (the alternator won't supply 40 amps at idle, its coming out of the battery) leaving the screen on while idling or slow traffic could easily discharge the battery. we did a lot of testing on this at Jag / Landrover. A vehicle at idle with all the electrics on will not sustain - it will run the battery out. Remember the "load relief relay" on RRC's would open at idle and disconnect the front and rear screen (and the aircon i think too)

3. I am pretty sure these windscreens have a recommended time limit or duty cycle - I seem to remember 10 mins as the max recommended, but I could be wrong - they use a lot of power - the one on my RRC clears a fully iced screen in something like 90 secs - they really do use a lot of juice.


Its the OP's choice - it's what he wants - it's not always us finely honed fully mechanical 100% infallible machines that drive these cars - we do sometimes hand them over to mortal people, who do forget, or don't fully understand.

Don't knock him for it...

After all, we are all guilty of the defect that results in land rover ownership.
If we were that perfect, we'd have a Landcruiser, an immaculate unused toolbox, a driveway that is bereft of oil staining and free time at the weekends...
 
captainbeaky said:
Sorry - I disagree - a system that runs when the engine is running and times out is a good idea for a couple of reasons.

rear screen (and the aircon i think too)

Its the OP's choice - it's what he wants - it's not always us finely honed fully mechanical 100% infallible machines that drive these cars - we do sometimes hand them over to mortal people, who do forget, or don't fully understand.

Don't knock him for it...

After all, we are all guilty of the defect that results in land rover ownership.
If we were that perfect, we'd have a Landcruiser, an immaculate unused toolbox, a driveway that is bereft of oil staining and free time at the weekends...
Click to expand...

Thank you for your support captain my point is as you say I can install the HFS any way I want it installed. if that installation works in exactly the same way as the factory setup then that is my choice.
Everything else we have about what we could do to a vehicle is just frippery because of the hand holding mockery.
I guess that the customers of eightinavee were given a choice of fitment options for their HFS and there would be a cost advantage not to have the engine off interlock fitted and they made the choice to manually monitor the switching on and off of the screen at the appropriate time. That would be their choice not my choice but I do suppose the only consequence to the vehicle in getting it wrong is a flat battery. The inconvenience of a flat battery is another subject.:rolleyes:
 
Also, a part of the challenge is to make it the best you can - or want.

I'm an aerospace electronics and systems engineer, so I will be creating my own little gadget to do the same thing - probably based around a small microprocessor, and will also detect low battery condition, and hold off the heater during this "brownout"

I make no apologies - some people have knitting, I play with electronics ( and bikes, Landrovers, vw campervan, classic cars, audio kit, dog training etc etc...)

Like I say - it's an affliction!
 
captainbeaky said:
I will be creating my own little gadget to do the same thing - probably based around a small microprocessor, and will also detect low battery condition, and hold off the heater during this "brownout"

No apologies are required, when you want to solve a problem and do all the R&D yourself it is so satisfying when it is up and running properly.
Let us know when it is developed.
I just hate half a job. :5bcheers2:
Click to expand...
 
Tim4x4 said:
Thank you for your support captain my point is as you say I can install the HFS any way I want it installed. if that installation works in exactly the same way as the factory setup then that is my choice.
Everything else we have about what we could do to a vehicle is just frippery because of the hand holding mockery.
I guess that the customers of eightinavee were given a choice of fitment options for their HFS and there would be a cost advantage not to have the engine off interlock fitted and they made the choice to manually monitor the switching on and off of the screen at the appropriate time. That would be their choice not my choice but I do suppose the only consequence to the vehicle in getting it wrong is a flat battery. The inconvenience of a flat battery is another subject.:rolleyes:
Click to expand...
No,both customers supplied their own wiring kits from the link I posted earlier.If you look you will see the kits include a timer.LR do not supply retrofit kits now so the customers decided on those kits,both are very happy with them.
 
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