C5ALIVE Forum

C5 Help => C5 Support => Topic started by: kamilb1998 on 25, March, 2012 - 22:00:22

Title: Twin Battery models
Post by: kamilb1998 on 25, March, 2012 - 22:00:22
Did they have a special control box or was it just one standard control box just with two keyswitches plugged in?
Title: Re: Twin Battery models
Post by: C5 ENTHUSIAST + RESTORER on 25, March, 2012 - 22:26:07
Hi they used the same c/box and just doubled up on the bolts ....The second key switch did not have the thin brown wire..Chas
Title: Re: Twin Battery models
Post by: kamilb1998 on 25, March, 2012 - 22:47:19
Thanks. I assume it would be possible to convert a single key switch model to a twin just by wiring up a secondary key switch? Can I just use a normal second key switch for this and leave the thin brown wire unplugged/cut off?
Title: Re: Twin Battery models
Post by: C5 ENTHUSIAST + RESTORER on 26, March, 2012 - 09:02:12
Yes that is correct just cut the thin brown wire better still just tape it up and don't use it to keep the Key switch in tact ......bye Chas
Title: Re: Twin Battery models
Post by: Karl on 26, March, 2012 - 18:07:55
What Chas says  ;)

That is how I converted "moneypit" back in 2007 to take part in the London-Brighton run.

Oddly enough you apparently get a greater range using two batteries connected and running in 12v format (..not 24v)  than if you were to use each 12v battery individually until each ran out.

I'm sure someone with more knowledge of electricity will be able to explain why later on, but I think they touch on the subject in the unofficial manual (in the download section).
Title: Re: Twin Battery models
Post by: kamilb1998 on 26, March, 2012 - 20:06:07
Sounds good! Just need to get hold of another key switch now.
Title: Re: Twin Battery models
Post by: kamilb1998 on 29, March, 2012 - 16:57:35
I won an eBay auction for a keyswitch today. It comes without a key but I recall reading somewhere that making any key fit in it is rather simple?
Title: Re: Twin Battery models
Post by: kamilb1998 on 02, April, 2012 - 13:45:54
There was me getting excited about getting a keyswitch for 99p and it arrived today with the wires having been broken off at the keyswitch end at some point  >:( The picture showed them connected & the seller's blaming me for mis-understanding his description :(
Title: Re: Twin Battery models
Post by: radiomarty on 02, April, 2012 - 14:19:46
Is it not fixable bud ?
Title: Re: Twin Battery models
Post by: fezza_rs on 02, April, 2012 - 15:54:24
Quote from: kamilb1998 on  02, April, 2012  - 13:45:54
There was me getting excited about getting a keyswitch for 99p and it arrived today with the wires having been broken off at the keyswitch end at some point  >:( The picture showed them connected & the seller's blaming me for mis-understanding his description :(

Paypal claimback!
Title: Re: Twin Battery models
Post by: PLOD11 on 02, April, 2012 - 16:18:00
I am sure it fixable  ;)
Title: Re: Twin Battery models
Post by: kamilb1998 on 02, April, 2012 - 17:02:58
It was only 99p so I'm not going to bother asking for a refund. I'm sure it could be fixed, but it's reliability would be pretty dodgy if I attempt to fix it  ::)

I will get a working tested one once the Jag's serviced and I have some spare money.
Title: Re: Twin Battery models
Post by: fezza_rs on 02, April, 2012 - 17:42:43
If you post it to me I'll happily fix it for you for the cost of a jiffy bag and a stamp!
Title: Re: Twin Battery models
Post by: PLOD11 on 02, April, 2012 - 18:19:38
Just had a look in the shed and have found a working one  (I think) never used one so not sure how it works, but it has all the cables attached and it takes any key to turn it. Its prings back when you press the red button.

You are welcome to it, (i wont ever use it) e mail me your address if you want it.

John
PLOD11
Title: Re: Twin Battery models
Post by: fezza_rs on 02, April, 2012 - 18:22:30
Quote from: PLOD11 on  02, April, 2012  - 18:19:38
Just had a look in the shed and have found a working one  (I think) never used one so not sure how it works, but it has all the cables attached and it takes any key to turn it. Its prings back when you press the red button.

You are welcome to it, (i wont ever use it) e mail me your address if you want it.

John
PLOD11

Even better!
Title: Re: Twin Battery models
Post by: kamilb1998 on 02, April, 2012 - 18:25:47
Quote from: PLOD11 on  02, April, 2012  - 18:19:38
Just had a look in the shed and have found a working one  (I think) never used one so not sure how it works, but it has all the cables attached and it takes any key to turn it. Its prings back when you press the red button.

You are welcome to it, (i wont ever use it) e mail me your address if you want it.

John
PLOD11

PM'd!
Title: Re: Twin Battery models
Post by: kamilb1998 on 02, April, 2012 - 18:27:28
Quote from: fezza_rs on  02, April, 2012  - 17:42:43
If you post it to me I'll happily fix it for you for the cost of a jiffy bag and a stamp!

Thanks for the offer, but I have emailed PLOD11 so there isn't much point fixing this one.
Title: Re: Twin Battery models
Post by: PLOD11 on 02, April, 2012 - 18:38:47
In the post tomorrow, worth keeping the old one might be of use to someone .....

John
Title: Re: Twin Battery models
Post by: radiomarty on 02, April, 2012 - 19:33:22
That's what makes this website a step above the rest !! :) :) :)
Title: Re: Twin Battery models
Post by: Karl on 03, April, 2012 - 14:34:29
Quote from: radiomarty on  02, April, 2012  - 19:33:22
That's what makes this website a step above the rest !! :) :) :)

...makes all the effort worthwhile  8)
Title: Re: Twin Battery models
Post by: kamilb1998 on 03, April, 2012 - 14:39:39
Quote from: radiomarty on  02, April, 2012  - 19:33:22
That's what makes this website a step above the rest !! :) :) :)

Certainly does! ;D
Title: Re: Twin Battery models
Post by: kamilb1998 on 04, April, 2012 - 14:07:13
Thank you very much PLOD, the keyswitch arrived in the post today - I will send you money to cover the postage and a pint for you mate ;)

Fitting it was quite simple, the only thing that 'annoyed' me were the two different nut sizes inside the control box - one was an 8mm & the other was a 9/32. I undid the 8mm and then proceeded to undo the second one and after about 20 mins. of failing to turn the nut with an 8mm socket I tried a different size.  ::)

Just need to fabricate the bracket to hold the second keyswitch when it's not in use.

Pictures;

(http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz311/kamilb1998/Sinclair%20C5/Twin%20keyswitch%20conversion/IMG_0653.jpg)(http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz311/kamilb1998/Sinclair%20C5/Twin%20keyswitch%20conversion/IMG_0655.jpg)(http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz311/kamilb1998/Sinclair%20C5/Twin%20keyswitch%20conversion/IMG_0656.jpg)
(http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz311/kamilb1998/Sinclair%20C5/Twin%20keyswitch%20conversion/IMG_0657.jpg)
Title: Re: Twin Battery models
Post by: kamilb1998 on 04, April, 2012 - 15:42:20
Finished making the bracket. I will get some better pictures up soon.

(http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz311/kamilb1998/Sinclair%20C5/Twin%20keyswitch%20conversion/IMG_0658.jpg)
(http://i839.photobucket.com/albums/zz311/kamilb1998/Sinclair%20C5/Twin%20keyswitch%20conversion/IMG_0660.jpg)
Title: Re: Twin Battery models
Post by: Lancealot on 04, April, 2012 - 17:50:25
Nice one, looking good Kam.

Lance
Title: Re: Twin Battery models
Post by: C5 ENTHUSIAST + RESTORER on 04, April, 2012 - 17:52:34
looking great well done ..Chas
Title: Re: Twin Battery models
Post by: PLOD11 on 04, April, 2012 - 18:25:46
No problem ...   8)

Its Looking good  8)
Title: Re: Twin Battery models
Post by: kamilb1998 on 06, April, 2012 - 17:04:12
My conversion appears to be working well & the range may have increased slightly too - 11 miles covered & I didn't lose any lights on the POD's battery conditon display.
Title: Re: Twin Battery models
Post by: Karl on 08, April, 2012 - 11:20:44
Quote from: kamilb1998 on  06, April, 2012  - 17:04:12
My conversion appears to be working well & the range may have increased slightly too - 11 miles covered & I didn't lose any lights on the POD's battery conditon display.

That's a good range, it also helps you're quite lighter than lardy middle aged guys like myself....after a few more years though, once the booze and kebabs have taken their toll on your body :-X , you'll find that the range on your c5 seems to suffer as well  :o ;D ;)
Title: Re: Twin Battery models
Post by: Lancealot on 08, April, 2012 - 14:50:34
BooBoo you forgat the Chinese & Indian takeaways as well......................................

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Lance
Title: Re: Twin Battery models
Post by: radiomarty on 09, April, 2012 - 08:07:57
There is a reason why Sinclair introduced the second battery option as it gives a much better performance as Kamilb is seeing and helps with the middle age transportation needs  ;) The only downside I can see is you cannot carry a spare just incase battery but you always have them there pedals ! :D :D
Title: Re: Twin Battery models
Post by: Umpa on 11, April, 2012 - 19:48:12
I only carry one battery, the best one I have ever had was one that Karl gave me, a gel battery from some emergency equipment. It packs some electrons lol.