Van Life Reality: DC to DC Battery Charger and Alternator Trouble - My Horrible Week

[@lesterthorpe4190]

Also Jack , keep on posting these events , no matter how complicated they get , as they’re very educational ! And as the great motorcycle journalist, Ted Simon used to say in his books : “ the interruptions , are all part of The Journey “ * via Jupiter’s Travels , his first bike tour of the World in the 70’s , is truly inspiring!

[@gregorypepper8674]

Ted Simon told me personally when I met him after an overland expedition that " the adventure begins when things go wrong" So true

[@jackvandean]

I guess you are right. And you would think at my tender age ;-) I would have learned to put things into perspective - something I clearly still need to work on !

[@jackvandean]

Not going to argue with Ted Simon - just not feeling that quote just yet - but give it some time!

[@MichelleWalling69]

So sorry you are having to deal with this. I watched a few videos on charging problems and it could be something as small as a teeny little wire break causing such a big problem for you. A Ford electrical technician could save you $ on labor, as they know the sequence for testing rather than wasting a bunch of time. If you don’t have a reserve fund for repairs on the road, I would say you are fortunate you can still get back home to re- group. I see it as a blessing that you wouldn’t be completely stranded in Spain. It’s best to have the attitude of gratitude and maybe the lesson is to learn to create your happiness wherever you are, even if you have to home base for a while. Please keep posting!

[@jackvandean]

Ah thank you for your message. I love that word re-group. Because I think that is what ideally I would like to do ... and yes you are right. Still grateful for the adventure I am leading !

[@lesterthorpe4190]

Well done J , your showing some exemplary patience and learning how to cope outside one’s “ comfort zone “ ! Maybe there’s a Ford dealership , not far away , that can advise , or even fix the main problem , rather than returning back home ? I totally empathise, as I’m not “ mechanically “ minded either , and at least you’ve still got You Tube followers to speak to 😊

[@jackvandean]

True ... I have received a lot of support and tips/tricks via KZbin... The patience I am showing was more an outward than inward expression haha

[@art2voice]

Man, oh man Jack... what a Story 😮 I really know the pain if youre out your language area and having car (which is Your home) problems. Hope You can fix it - before going back, I would check out with a local Ford-Garage what the real problem could be. The pictures you caught on Your excursions were absolutely beautiful and strucked my wanderlust... thank you very much for those nice impressions 👍👍 take care and safe travels 🙏😇

[@jackvandean]

wanderlust is such a beautiful word. I hadn't heard of it until recently ... Yes trouble with it being "my home" that you are basically homeless should there be a longer repair ... to be continued!

[@JonTanOsb]

If it isn't your alternator, it's probably your battery clamps. If they are loose or cracked, the battery will not get enough power. It can also destroy your alternator! Or it could be the battery is just too old. Either way, both are cheaper to replace than an alternator. I'm lucky I only needed to get a battery connector for Monty. $59.00 Canadian charge from my mechanic. Plus he removed the tricky rear seats. Good luck. I hope things run smoothly from here. Jon in rural BC, Canada

[@jackvandean]

Still on my way to get a professional look at all the issues ... if I can find an honest professional that is haha. The alternator is now changed - can't do anything about that anymore - the batters is 10 months old ... keep you posted!

[@SecrePeach]

I feel your pain Jack, I’m just starting my first conversion, not at all mechanically minded and dealing with a persistently intermittent leak. Having done the obvious, the not so obvious and more I’ve sent mine to the garage 😏 Keep battling through and you will learn so much but maybe limp your van to the nearest Ford dealer to sort (purely because you don’t know what damage elsewhere the source of the initial problem is causing). I mean for example - if you keep blowing a fuse just removing it and trying to continue use would cause more damage and cost more to repair. Good luck and do let us know how you get on. Also, look into what other KZbinrs do with this ‘buy me a coffee’ system where views can help support you, that should help with funds, people watch and subscribe because they like your content so I’m sure it might help even a little while your channel grows.

[@jackvandean]

Yes. Vanlife is not the Instagram version. Don't get me wrong - I am loving it, but as you are also discovering, it comes with its ups and downs. You hit the hammer on the nail with the "don't make the problem worse" by continuing to drive ...

[@james3418]

So sorry to hear that you are having these issues Jack. Hopefully you can get to the bottom of it soon. I'm just leaving Nerja should be near you in around 10 days catch up for that coffee if your still in Spain 👍

[@jackvandean]

10 days ... well can't promise anything - I kinda want to move , but somehow still having a great time here in Valencia. Stay in touch

[@darrincambridge2377]

Batteries are the weakest link, most folk replace them every 3yrs. Diesel heaters have their uses but I recommend a gas bottle and a portable space heater too! 😈

[@jackvandean]

Thanks - you are right. There are a multitude of options - for a multitude of weather conditions, I guess ...

[@colomacountry]

I laughed harder than I have all year "found on road dead" but also love " driver returns on foot" ford (backwards) anyway, don't mix your van 12 volt system with your solar or external devices. Go to a bonified shop back home that does van conversions. Isolate each part of your van by fuse if you want to find the issue the poor mand way 😊 good luck!

[@WhereIsTheVan]

Wat een ellende jack! Hopelijk krijg je het werkend. Je hebt ook een drone gekocht zie ik? Leuk! Succes!

[@jackvandean]

Dank je. Jammer genoeg is het drone budget nu aan iets anders uitgegeven. Heb dus creatief met archief beelden moeten omgaan ... psst, maar vertel het niemand !

[@darrenmatthews6217]

Hi Jack sorry for your problem,first of all i am no expert and i might be wrong but it seems to me that you have a SMART alternator fitted on your van, i had never heard of this until i fitted a split charger on my 2005 renault traffic and was made aware to check the alternator before buying the split charge kit, the normal standard split charge kit works with non smart alternators, newer vans and cars have smart alternators that are controlled by the engine ECU so the alternator will only push out a lower voltage to comply with emissions that is why you are only seeing low voltage back to your leisure battery , if you a SMART alternator you will need a SMART split charger such as CTEK split charge kit, there is guides on youtube to identify what alternator you have fitted and google SMART alternators it will explain better than what i can, i dont think your garage is aware of this and is looking for a problem that is not there, hope this helps

[@james3418]

This would make sense but his starter (engine) battery would be fully charged still even with a smart alternator

[@darrenmatthews6217]

you are correct but only if the starter battery is 100% working and accepting and holding a full charge from the alternator@@james3418

[@darrenmatthews6217]

you are correct but only if the starter battery is 100% and accepting and holding the charge from the alternator@@james3418

[@einarsteinsson]

Don't use split charge especially if you have a smart alternator, use a DC to Dc charger.

[@jackvandean]

OK, I need to go check what split charger they have installed. But since I have been back to this garage twice now (they are van builders), they never mentioned the split charger as a possible problem. And somehow I was hoping they were aware of things like smart alternators on van ...

[@DeryckeJohan]

Found on road dead... hm... if I'd have known 10 years ago perhaps I'd have bought another brand. I agree with the others, maybe not a bad idea to get someone in a Ford Garage to look at it. They're bloody expensive, mind ya. (My transit is from 2013 and I've had a lot of costs already to keep it running)

[@jackvandean]

Guessing other car brands are not perfect either. So going to stick with my little ford (well, gotta, really). What were your issues with the 2013 version ? #

[@DeryckeJohan]

Well I had a dead battery one year, The year after there was a problem with the rear suspension. Had this a few times already. The first time they replaced it completely (expensive!), the 2nd time they replaced part of it (also expensive). I had problems with my ignition and last fall my clutch pedal suddenly wouldn't find it's initial position anymore after shifting gears. Had to get towed that day. And I've had a few accidents as well. Once someone drove into the back end of the car pretty hard. Someone hit the right flank as well one day (that was my fault). Oh well, it still drives well so that's what matters, eh. Anyway, I hope Dean gets fixed properly very soon and it won't cost you too much. Best of luck Jack.

[@renatoscutube]

Hi Jack. There'a another device, just like the one you bought (plugs the same way) where you can see actual numbers and the current voltage, instead of colored lights. It is called a "Voltmeter." A hint, the voltage of conventional batteries should never be lower than 11 volts, otherwise the battery gets damaged e you have to replace it, because it becomes unreliable. A suggestion - van lifers make up a kind of a community, maybe you could access some type of forum where you could find someone who could help you with the language barrier or you know, maybe a friend of a friend of friend lives nearby and could help. Or maybe instead of going all the way home, you could find someone in a city or country nearby who speaks English or German. I have that song here in a different version, it is played by Anthony Ventura, but both versions are equally beautiful. Nun schlage ich vor, dass Sie die Aussprache des Wortes „Garage“ überprüfen. Das ist eine knifflige Angelegenheit. Englisch ist auch nicht meine Muttersprache und ich habe es genauso ausgesprochen, wie du es im Video getan hast. Aber verstehen Sie mich bitte nicht falsch, ich versuche nicht kritisch zu sein, sondern zu helfen. Du sprichst sehr gut und fließend Englisch. Außerdem möchte ich sagen, dass du im Video zu viel Kleidung trägst ...

[@jackvandean]

Yes, the voltmeter I ordered was the one my Spanish mechanic recommended. Now that I have ordered it, Amazon of course is suggesting better versions, like the one you describe ... To be quite frank, I am nearly afraid of going to yet another garage for what they might discover on top of things. Hence the "going home" idea. Then if it is an expensive or elaborate affair, I have a place to sleep etc. I think the way I pronounce garage most Brits would - but I could be wrong ... Ja, ich weiss dass mit den Klamotten ... aber irgendwie dann doch nicht so heiss dass ich alles or die Hälfte ausziehen möchte ;-)

[@renatoscutube]

@@jackvandean Yeah, forget what I said about "garage". By coincidence, I watched a video of a British guy who pronounces it just like you did. It seems that is how it is pronounced "on the other side of the pond". In US and Canada, it is pronounced a bit as a French word, the stress is on the middle gaRAge. Another example that I recall is "mobile" that has totally different pronunciations there and here. Yes, maybe it makes sense for you to go home after all...

[@Wijkkie]

Ik zou even naar de laadstroom regelaar laten kijken. Of misschien een massa probleem....

[@jackvandean]

hey wipper.jack. als ik nou eens wist wat de laadstroom regelaar is ... en welke over massa je het hebt. ikzelf blijk een pondje bijgekomen te zijn door de stress....

[@Wijkkie]

@@jackvandeanHoi Jack, ga ff langs een garage, die kunnen je het zo vertellen. En een massa tekort..kijk naar alle kabels die op het chassis zijn verbonden, check voor roest of andere oxidatie. Schoonmaken en eventueel die massa kabels vervangen !

[@brantley7831]

P r o m o S M 💖