Stopping driving off with the ECU connected

[KNWH]

I’ve posted on a couple of threads the plastic tag I made that fitted in the ignition lock and physically prevented you starting the vehicle.
Might be worth PaulandChrissy doing a 3D printed version, with ‘Cable’ or ‘240v’ moulded in?

 

[BusyBuilder]

Just make sure the co pilot does her job ?

 

[tacr2man]

Without an ECU connected no ones going to be driving off , BUT a good idea to stop driving off with EHU cable connected

 

[Mikeco]

I did it once but only went 25m so no big deal.

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

We've always used a checklist, it's never let us down

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[meanders]

Did it once when we felt threatened by a group of vans who turned up together.

 

[Widge]

What i can never understand is, for about £3 in parts, its easily possible to have an alarm go off if you turn the ignition on while the EHU is connected, but manufacturers who build vans for 10's of thousands of pounds cant be bothered to do it.

 

[StillGoing]

What i can never understand is, for about £3 in parts, its easily possible to have an alarm go off if you turn the ignition on while the EHU is connected, but manufacturers who build vans for 10's of thousands of pounds cant be bothered to do it.

It should be simple. My EBL has mains indicator and D+. A simple AND logic gate with those two inputs could switch on a warning light and/or sound a buzzer.

 

[Brains]

My cable lives in a bag.
The bag lives in the drivers footwell when it does not have a cable in it.

 

[Shrimp]

Our brace (rear legs winder) lives on the driving pedals when we are parked up, does two jobs-warns of rear legs down and EHU.

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[Podney]

Use a checklist pre departure…….a bit like if you were flying a 747.

 

[MisterB]

StillGoing

i will look forward to seeing your finished project so i can say, i want one !! lol

 

[The Old Man]

Being a solo traveller has a number of advantages, not least, I'm responsible for everything.

Also my water filling hose and EHU Lead live, neatly curled in plain sight in the passenger footwell.

I have a mental checklist before pulling off but I'm never ceased to be amazed as to how I've missed an internal door latch and to have failed to switch the fridge from Gas to 12v!

They are my bugbears.

To date I've never come close to forgetting the EHU Lead, YET!!!!!

 

[KNWH]

I also have a checklist I go through before setting off, and I’m not saying my suggestion should replace this.
It is more a simple extra safeguard.
It is also useful for those circumstances where you might not do a full check e.g. starting and manoeuvring in the drive between trips or to stop things seizing whilst SORNed.
Or going to top up with water in the middle of a site stay.
Anyway, lots of good ideas on here for people to pick what’s best for them

 

[oldiesontour]

We have a card that lives on the dash top ..hang it on the steering wheel when we park up with checklist written on it,also ehu cable bag put in passenger footwell

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[Brains]

We have a card that lives on the dash top ..hang it on the steering wheel when we park up with checklist written on it,also ehu cable bag put in passenger footwell

We have a laminated checklist card that lives in the sun visor.
We run through it every time after an overnight stay.

And the cable bag, when empty, lives in the drivers footwell!

 

[Brains]

The laminated 'prepare for take off' checklist.

ALL Roof Vents Closed
ALL Lockers Locked
EHU Cable in Locker
Central Heating OFF
Fridge Locked and set to Auto/Off
Bikes Loaded and Locked
Awning In
Gas ON or OFF
Cassette Empty
Waste Tank Level ?
Fresh Water Level ?
Waste Tank Tap Open/Closed
Electrical Water Tap On/Off
Bin Stowed/Biodegradable bin Empty
Satellite Dish Down
Immobiliser OFF
Sidestep In
Ramps/Chocks Away!

And on the other side of the card it has the checklist for when we put it into our storage place, as we nearly always drain down the tank etc unless we are using it with a week or two.

 

[Tonks]

I always do a 'pre-flight check' before setting off. I walk round the van, checking everything is as it should be and looking underneath to make sure nothing's been put there which could be run over or snagged. In ten years, the only 'miss' has been an internal door which if not clipped in properly will swing out with a massive BANG when the van turns the first corner... I've missed that a few times, and I've once had to stop to turn off the gas, but generally it's so ingrained now that I barely think about doing the checks before I go.

 

[jerryz]

I always run a tail or loop of the cable near to hab door so I remember

 

[Nanniemate]

Being a solo traveller has a number of advantages, not least, I'm responsible for everything.

Also my water filling hose and EHU Lead live, neatly curled in plain sight in the passenger footwell.

I have a mental checklist before pulling off but I'm never ceased to be amazed as to how I've missed an internal door latch and to have failed to switch the fridge from Gas to 12v!

They are my bugbears.

To date I've never come close to forgetting the EHU Lead, YET!!!!!

Fridge is usually on my 100mtr stop and check, usually change it over but have been known to miss it . So end up syopping to check. Shame you can't see the light in the jnternal mirror

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[Richard n Ann]

I just walk round the van before setting off, never forgotten anything. It really is that simple

 

[Peavy]

Use a checklist pre departure…….a bit like if you were flying a 747.

Mrs. Peavy recites the items on the list out loud (from memory) and I repeat them back to her for acknowledge like pilots do.
We do this to take some of the stress and seriousness out of the situation, but it doesn't always work

 

[Clive Mott]

I drape my hookup cable over the drivers wing mirror. When I remember!!

 

[Laughing Gravy]

Just make sure the co pilot does her job ?

What happens if you don’t have one

 

[Blaydon]

Like many others we have ‘pre-flights’ in our minds when we leave. However we have left the EHU cable attached one. We don’t hook up very often and when we went to the service point we left the cable hooked up. We won’t do that again.
I am thinking of a ‘breaker’ lead. A short length of cable with a socket that can easily pull out if put under tension.
If this is put on the van end, the long cable can be left behind if not put away.

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[yorkiebar]

We also have a pre-departure checklist but aren't strict on it's adherence, naughty! I wouldn't be keen on a plastic part being inserted into the ignition barrel, I might knock it and snap off the head leaving plastic in the barrel.

 

[Old and wise 1]

I always drape some or the lead over my wing mirror, so it's never happened to me in 10 years of motorhomeing.
I also have my check list to read before moving off. I really can't understand why some people have issues.

 

[jamesiai]

I did some work in a few LFB fire stations a few years ago. The appliances (fire engines) sit on a hook up to keep all the electricals powered up ready to go. As the call went up I stood back out of the way as instructed. The crew was in cab within seconds ready to go but the appliance was still 'hooked up'....
As soon as the engine started, the plug was automatically ejected from the socket and off they went. It was a standard 'commando' type plug so the clever bit must have been in the truck.
Perhaps that's what you need...

 

[Zigisla]

My EHU lead is wrapped with a Velcro strap which I tie around the drivers wing mirror when we are plugged in. The last time we used EHU was in Sept last year and, you guessed it Velcro strap still around wing mirror but cable in boot.
Never been on pre departure list as we very early use it.
Bet the lead bag looks like a snakes wedding.

 

[Blofeld]

It’s when you’re in a hurry because something unusual has happened. Never a problem with the EV because it won’t let you.

The broken plug from the first time lives on the driver’s seat and the laminated checklist lives on the dashboard.

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