Relay Battery Installation...... Rip Off?

[Shine Window Cleaning]

I've recently purchased a Leisure Battery and a SplitRelay System, and although the instructions for the Relay says its straight forward to install, I'm useless with electrics and I really haven't got a Scooby Doo what I'm doing.

I've studied various how to videos, (and whilst I know many have installed their own) feel its a bit past my abilities and so am thinking about getting an Auto electric mechanic to fit it for me.

I'm waiting for a few garages to get back to me, but the first one that has got back to me has quoted me 2 hours labour= £80.00.

Is this a reasonable price(am I being ripped off?) or is that roughly what I should I be expecting to pay- any advice gratefully receieved!

 

[Tuffers]

Post your location. Another forum member might do it for you

 

[spruce]

I've recently purchased a Leisure Battery and a SplitRelay System, and although the instructions for the Relay says its straight forward to install, I'm useless with electrics and I really haven't got a Scooby Doo what I'm doing.

I've studied various how to videos, (and whilst I know many have installed their own) feel its a bit past my abilities and so am thinking about getting an Auto electric mechanic to fit it for me.

I'm waiting for a few garages to get back to me, but the first one that has got back to me has quoted me 2 hours labour= £80.00.

Is this a reasonable price(am I being ripped off?) or is that roughly what I should I be expecting to pay- any advice gratefully receieved!

I would have thought that 2 hours would cover the job. If they charge £40.00 an hour then that's what they charge. Careful as I expect the price will be subject to VAT. Labour rates do vary through out the country. Our workshop labour rates at Citroen were £67.00 an hour 10 years ago. I haven't the last Peugeot bill but their hourly rate was much more than that. Our local garage mechanic charges £27.00 per hour + VAT. We live in the North East.

Have you tried to contact a local home fit towbar specialist fitter. He would also be able to do the job as they fit them with each caravan towbar fit.

 

[Shine Window Cleaning]

I would have thought that 2 hours would cover the job. If they charge £40.00 an hour then that's what they charge. Careful as I expect the price will be subject to VAT. Labour rates do vary through out the country. Our workshop labour rates at Citroen were £67.00 an hour 10 years ago. I haven't the last Peugeot bill but their hourly rate was much more than that. Our local garage mechanic charges £27.00 per hour + VAT. We live in the North East.

Have you tried to contact a local home fit towbar specialist fitter. He would also be able to do the job as they fit them with each caravan towbar fit.

thats a great tip mate, thanks- I'll give then a try as well.

 

[bluemonkey]

its a 30 min job pos on main bat to pos on leisure then neg on leisure to earth on van

 

[Shine Window Cleaning]

its a 30 min job pos on main bat to pos on leisure then neg on leisure to earth on van

thanks for the heads up mate. I suspected an hour max tbh, but sometimes those 'spidey-senses' tingle that you may be being set up. £80 is more than I paid for the equipment after all!

 

[Don Kee]

Depends on the split to how easy to fit.

I was in a panic about mine, but when i watched my mechanic mate fit it, i wished id done it myself!!

Have you got a link to the split mate?

 

[OoO]

It's so easy to do

 

[Shine Window Cleaning]

Depends on the split to how easy to fit.

I was in a panic about mine, but when i watched my mechanic mate fit it, i wished id done it myself!!

Have you got a link to the split mate?

Lol! yeah thats exactly what I dont want- a mechanic fitting it in 30mins and then enjoying a nice long coffee break for an hour and a half- that will be £80 please!!
This should be the link to the Relay from Cleaning Spot(£19.99 Self Switching).

http://www.cleaningspot.co.uk/acatalog/Van_accessories.html#aRELKIT

 

[OoO]

The the one I got. Dead easy to install.

 

[Tuffers]

No good just telling him it's easy and so forth. Try explaining to him how to do it.

 

[OoO]

It's got instructions which are very easy to follow.

If he has that one. They even number the cables.

 

[Don Kee]

Not got that one mate but if iys like the one ive got its pretty simple.

Van battery - positive wire to the split (with a fuse inbetween)

Negative to split.

Leisure battery - positive to split (fuse inbetween)

Negative into the chassis (van floor)

If its anything like that its a 15 min job.....

Do your instructions have a diagram?

 

[OoO]

That's how mine is wired. I would assume all split chargers work like that. I'm pretty sure you don't have the negative from the van battery though. As my split has 3 wires. Power in from van battery. Power going out to leisure battery. Then negative to leisure battery.

The main issue is the positive wire from the van battery. Choose the route carefully. And use a grommet if you cut a hole.

Anywhere near bedfordshire?

 

[Don Kee]

Mines defo got negative to van battery and the leisure is earthed to the chassis....got me worried now!!!!

 

[OoO]

Hang on let me get my instructions

 

[OoO]

Mine doesn't take a negative from the battery. If yours say it does then follow what they say

 

[Don Kee]

To be fair, its worked fine for a couple of months...

If it was earthed incorrectly id imagine the fuses would blow as soon as the van switches on

 

[OoO]

Aye

 

[Shine Window Cleaning]

Cheers for the inputs fellas! well, I'm going to have a go myself with the aid of my brother who's wired a car stereo before. The instructions sound fairly straight forward, and at £80 installation charge I've been quoted (from more than one garage!) I figure its worth a go myself- what's the worst that could happen?

Blown fuses=few quid to replace.

Auto electrician to fit=£80!

It's worth a go I think- jeeeez!