Isolating charger socket

[mowgli]

I use a battery conditioner and have a socket installed just above the number plate. I noticed the other day that the terminals in the socket are corroding aggressively. I suspect that this is because the socket terminals remain live connected to the battery and that moisture is acting as an electrolyte.

I am considering replacing the plug/socket and installing a relay as in the attached diagram to electrically disconnect the socket when not charging. I am not a sparky so am interested in views on why this will or won't work. TIA

[AllanB]

Mines under the seat and has a little cover over the end - no problem

[mossy1200]

once the charger latches the relay then your bike battery will keep it latched even when charger is removed.

[bogan]

once the charger latches the relay then your bike battery will keep it latched even when charger is removed.

agreed, get a diode instead

[mowgli]

once the charger latches the relay then your bike battery will keep it latched even when charger is removed.

I don't understand. The relay is held latched through the plug. When the plug is removed the circuit through the coil is broken and the relay should trip.....either that or my leccy knowledge is poorer than I thought

[mossy1200]

I don't understand. The relay is held latched through the plug. When the plug is removed the circuit through the coil is broken and the relay should trip.....either that or my leccy knowledge is poorer than I thought

Once the relay coil livens the contacts close and you have completed the charging circuit.The problem is that you have created two live feeds to the coil.As long as the coil has a feed then it will remain latched.

Nah my bad didnt see the position of the plug socket and assumed you had 2pin socket.Sorry.Is correct

[bogan]

I don't understand. The relay is held latched through the plug. When the plug is removed the circuit through the coil is broken and the relay should trip.....either that or my leccy knowledge is poorer than I thought

on closer inspection you're right, using a 3pin plug will sort it

[mossy1200]

on closer inspection you're right, using a 3pin plug will sort it

Did you just change it cause i just said sorry for not seeing the socket correctly.Thought I had gone mad. LOL

[mowgli]

I could have been clearer in my description. I couldn't find a convenient 3pin socket in Eagle so simply left it as a gap. Thanks for the advice.

[bogan]

Did you just change it cause i just said sorry for not seeing the socket correctly.Thought I had gone mad. LOL

nah i also thought he was using a 2 pin connector, didnt even see your edit

[NinjaNanna]

be interesting to hear your results - whether electrolosis is contributing the corrosion or if it just good old fasion rust from the road spooge.

be good if you remember to post back in a month or so

Cheers
NN

[mowgli]

Doh! The charger won't energise the relay, I guessing because the charger is expecting to see a voltage or perhaps the resistance across the battery before it will switch to charge mode.

I need to rethink my circuit

[bogan]

must be a fandangled charger, or is it a low current trickle charger? Im unsure what exaclty a battery conditioner does

[mowgli]

It's a trickle charger (1600mA) then once the battery is charged fully it goes into a maintenance mode to keep the battery healthy. It turns itself on and off automagically when you (dis)connect to the battery.

Might have to use a transistor as a switch and draw power from the bike battery to energise the relay. I can use the third pin in the charger plug to switch between floating and ground.

[bogan]

drwing power from the bike is prolly the way to go, you could still use (just the) the relay, have the plug connect relay coil ground to bike ground when its plugged in, and the other side of coil on battery +ve.