Battery Problems Auto Trail Arapaho (1 Viewer)

[Dennisad]

We are new to motorhomes and never had a caravan. Purchased our second hand MH in April 15. We recently travelled to Spain driving down and back through France. On the last stop coming home I managed to flatten the battery overnight through I think leaving the light switch on even though it was on EHU. The next day we just waited for the battery to recharge via the EHU.

When we got home we parked MH on our drive and had it on EHU and then for some weeks not connected, during which time I presume the solar panel kept the vehicle battery charged.

About four weeks ago (due to moving home) we put the vehicle into storage (Storage is outisde so Solar Panel should charge the batteries). We did not turn off the shutdown button. Approximately 10 days later our tracker reported a flat battery warning. We went to check and sure enough the battery was completely flat, tried to recharge via a generator but after an hour 2.3v and half an hour later 2.2v. So have taken it off and had it checked at Arnold Clark, they have had it on charge for over 24 hours and it is only showing 11.4v, they advise a new genuine fiat 110Ah battery @£270+Vat. The current battery is a Yuasa YBX5019 12v 100Ah 900A, replacement cost for the Yuasa battery £86+Vat.

So that is the story now to the questions:

Do I need a new battery? I believe I do.

Is Arnold Clark's advice re genuine fiat battery being required correct?

Will a replacement Identical Yuasa battery as the one currently fitted not do the same job as the genuine fiat battery? I know what you pay is what you get.

Should the solar panel charge the vehicle battery?

Does the fact that the battery is flat mean the solar panel isn't working as it should?

Can I get the solar panel tested?

Should we turn off the shutdown button?

Is there anything else that might cause the battery to be flat?

Are we doing anything wrong?

What I don't want to do is fit a new battery and for that to be drained because of the solar panel not working correctly.

Any help will be very much appreciated.

Dennis and Terry(My lovely wife)

 

[lunarman]

Hi I cannot answer all of your questions but the cost of a replacement battery seems rather high. My 2008 3ltr fiat had a Varta battery fitted from new by Fiat. I replaced it like for like with a battery purchased from battery megastore in Tewksbury for £94.5. Broken Link Removed

To ensure that the solar panel keeps the engine battery charged fit a battery master http://www.vanbitz.com/product/battery-master/

Hope this helps.

John

 

[pappajohn]

And of course Arnold Clark will be supplying the genuine fiat battery.

Go to Halfrauds, they will rip you off as well but it will still be £200 cheaper than those merchant bankers.
oh, and yes, you do need a new battery....and if you let the new one go completely flat and remain so for a few days you will need yet another and so on and so on.
A battery must be stored charged

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[PhilandMena]

Hi, Firstly are we talking about the leisure battery or cab battery? If Cab battery then I would go with Fiat's recommendation for Fiat vehicle. If Leisure battery, then you cant go wrong with Vatra or Banner Energy bull. However, get then right type and for the right application.
If you just do a swap your likely to end up in the same situation again unless you sort out your charging issue. I suspect your solar panel was not charging the affected battery in storage (probably Cab battery) as it was switched to leisure battery. Read your manuals to understand how to select different battery and this should solve your problem.
Agree with papajohn about Halfords

 

[tonka]

You need to leave the shutdown switch "on" to allow the solar to smart charge both batteries. BUT you need to make sure that the system is set to "solar smart" on the control panel above the door. This is presuming you have a solar panel fitted by Autotrail or someone has wired it direct into the Sargent unit.
If anyone has fitted the panel any other way or with a separate solar regulator then its not going to work.
Ref the cab battery, if its failing then just buy a same spec and fit it yourself. With a used Motorhome you really don't know what use the batteries have had.

NOTE... The EHU charging system can also be selected to do cab, leisure or smart charge so you need to check what setting you have your system on... I will send you a link later when I get onto the PC..

 

[pappajohn]

If you just do a swap your likely to end up in the same situation again unless you sort out your charging issue.

Same scenario regardless of battery make.
Genuine fiat battery at £270 + vat

How much of that price is for the brand name...
I put money on it being at least 60%.
Unless the van is under warranty why line Fiat's pockets?

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[Silkcut1105]

sounds to me that the first thing you should check is ....have u got a battery master fitted .it just tops up engine battery when liesure batterys are full from solar panel, ,also check your solar panels are working possible that your alternator is faulty.stick a new one on and after a couple of days recheck voltage and go from there .hope this helps a bit

 

[PhilandMena]

sounds to me that the first thing you should check is ....have u got a battery master fitted .it just tops up engine battery when liesure batterys are full from solar panel, ,also check your solar panels are working possible that your alternator is faulty.stick a new one on and after a couple of days recheck voltage and go from there .hope this helps a bit

Battery masters are not compatible with all Autotrail's. Recent Autotrails have the Sargent intelligent systems fitted and depending on model will be fine. Do not change your alternator without establishing if it is charging, a simple check could save you hundreds of pounds. I suspect the problem is simple, just a matter of selecting the right switches. Read your manauls.

 

[mitzimad]

your alarms trackers and radio all probably use a small amount of current when parked up, it would seem your solar is not wired to charge both batteries this may be the way its wired or you may be able to change it in your settings but leaving the van without any form of charging will flatten the battery mine last about 3 weeks
dont buy the inflated arnold clark battery just get a compatible one exide or varta are reasonable makes

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[tonka]

As Philandmena states. Later Autotrail do not need a battery master. The Sargent unit has facility to charge leisure and engine battery both from EHU and solar. Also a solar regulator (120w) is built in so all you need is a connecting lead (£10).

 

[Dennisad]

Many Thanks for all your responses. A lot to take in but I will research all you comments and let you all know the outcome.

In the meantime any other ideas/advice more than welcome.

 

[Dennisad]

As Philandmena states. Later Autotrail do not need a battery master. The Sargent unit has facility to charge leisure and engine battery both from EHU and solar. Also a solar regulator (120w) is built in so all you need is a connecting lead (£10).

Hi Tonka

What do you mean by connecting lead and to what does it need to be connected. I am a none to: None to Bright

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[tonka]

@Dennisad these links may help. If you dont already have them, well worth printing and keeping a copy in van..

EC500 - Link Removed

This is the connecting lead.. Used to connect a solar panel into the EC500 that way all the on board system facilities ie selectable and smart charging can be used.
http://sargentshop.co.uk/epages/eshop328964.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/eshop328964/Products/WB1020

One has most likely been used and fitted.. Just depends who did the solar as they sometimes can fit their own regulators.

 

[Doctor Dave]

I would hazard a guess that Fiat do not make batteries so I would suggest that there is no such thing as a "genuine Fiat battery".



Dave

 

[Dennisad]

@Dennisad these links may help. If you dont already have them, well worth printing and keeping a copy in van..

EC500 - Link Removed

This is the connecting lead.. Used to connect a solar panel into the EC500 that way all the on board system facilities ie selectable and smart charging can be used.
http://sargentshop.co.uk/epages/eshop328964.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/eshop328964/Products/WB1020

One has most likely been used and fitted.. Just depends who did the solar as they sometimes can fit their own regulators.

Hi Tonka

Thanks for the info.

Dennis

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[Dennisad]

I would hazard a guess that Fiat do not make batteries so I would suggest that there is no such thing as a "genuine Fiat battery".



Dave

Hi Dave

I suspect the same too.

Dennis

 

[robnchris]

The Fiat cab is a very power hungry bit of kit, We could only last about a month parked on the drive before the batteries went flat.
On our Arapaho we fitted a 120 amp solar panel and never suffered a flat battery again.
Today I went into our Apache which also has a 120 amp solar fitted and the batteries were all flat, have just connected the EHU and will leave it like that.

 

[Dennisad]

The Fiat cab is a very power hungry bit of kit, We could only last about a month parked on the drive before the batteries went flat.
On our Arapaho we fitted a 120 amp solar panel and never suffered a flat battery again.
Today I went into our Apache which also has a 120 amp solar fitted and the batteries were all flat, have just connected the EHU and will leave it like that.

Thanks for the info, I do have a solar panel fitted, I think I need to get it checked to see if it's working properly.

With the battery currently disconnected, will the solar panel still be charging the leisure battery? Is there any way I can check that it is?

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[Dennisad]

The Fiat cab is a very power hungry bit of kit, We could only last about a month parked on the drive before the batteries went flat.
On our Arapaho we fitted a 120 amp solar panel and never suffered a flat battery again.
Today I went into our Apache which also has a 120 amp solar fitted and the batteries were all flat, have just connected the EHU and will leave it like that.

Thanks for the info, I do have a solar panel fitted, I think I need to get it checked to see if it's working properly.

With the battery currently disconnected, will the solar panel still be charging the leisure battery? Is there any way I can check that it is?

 

[tonka]

Thanks for the info, I do have a solar panel fitted, I think I need to get it checked to see if it's working properly.

With the battery currently disconnected, will the solar panel still be charging the leisure battery? Is there any way I can check that it is?

Days like today it will be very little going in.. If its a bit better tomorrow and especially if you get some direct sun, check the reading on the display. You should be able to scroll the panel and check the readings. Make sure everything is turned off. The panel will tell you what battery it is charging and how much ampage it is getting from the solar. Also look at the battery voltage,if your into 13v and only have solar on ( no EHU) then you know the solar is working.

 

[terryb]

i had a problem with my solar a couple of years ago, there was very minimal reading on the display panel ,checked all the usual things ( loose connection to batteries, connections with the solar panel, cleaned the panel). ended up ringing Sargents ,very helpful, they told me to check the wiring behind the ec 500 for loose connection , took the 4 small screws out then pulled the unit out very carefully, jiggled the wires and bingo got the proper readings on the display . i then replaced the ec500 but changed the 4 screws with thicker self tappers and touch wood i haven't had any more problems.

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[Dennisad]

Update: In respect of the battery I got in touch with Autotrail and they advised that fiat do fit their own battery and that we should replace it with the same that was originally fitted. The way you find out is to contact any authorised fiat dealer and given them the vehicle chassis number and they'll you what battery was fitted.
I had the current battery checked (may have told you this before) and it wasn't fully charging. I needed the vehicle serviced and MOT'd, so I had them check the solar panel (which was working correctly) so I have invested in battery that was originally fitted by fiat, cost (and I know some will think I am crazy) £192 inclusive of Vat.
Hopefully that will solve the flat battery problem (fingers crossed).

So we are ready to go on Our Travels, I will start a new tread called TND's (TerryandDennis) Travel Log Winter 2016. We leave for an overnight in Folkstone in the morning, shuttle to Calais Monday Morning then we will make our way down to Lagos in Portugal.
Our provisional route is with stop overs at or near to Orleans, Clermont Ferrand, Narbonne, Zaragoza, Madrid, Cordoba, Seville and Lagos. Hoping to be in Lagos by 20/22 Jan depending on how long we stay over.

Speak with you soon and thanks for all your help, so far. Oh yes we will be seeking regular tips and tricks whilst on our travels.

TND.

 

[Dennisad]

Update: In respect of the battery I got in touch with Autotrail and they advised that fiat do fit their own battery and that we should replace it with the same that was originally fitted. The way you find out is to contact any authorised fiat dealer and given them the vehicle chassis number and they'll you what battery was fitted.
I had the current battery checked (may have told you this before) and it wasn't fully charging. I needed the vehicle serviced and MOT'd, so I had them check the solar panel (which was working correctly) so I have invested in battery that was originally fitted by fiat, cost (and I know some will think I am crazy) £192 inclusive of Vat.
Hopefully that will solve the flat battery problem (fingers crossed).

So we are ready to go on Our Travels, I will start a new tread called TND's (TerryandDennis) Travel Log Winter 2016. We leave for an overnight in Folkstone in the morning, shuttle to Calais Monday Morning then we will make our way down to Lagos in Portugal.
Our provisional route is with stop overs at or near to Orleans, Clermont Ferrand, Narbonne, Zaragoza, Madrid, Cordoba, Seville and Lagos. Hoping to be in Lagos by 20/22 Jan depending on how long we stay over.

Speak with you soon and thanks for all your help, so far. Oh yes we will be seeking regular tips and tricks whilst on our travels.

TND.

 

[Lenny HB]

I have invested in battery that was originally fitted by fiat, cost (and I know some will think I am crazy) £192 inclusive of Vat.
Hopefully that will solve the flat battery problem (fingers crossed).

Not crazy, stark raving bonkers.

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[tonka]

"Orleans, Clermont Ferrand, Narbonne, Zaragoza, Madrid"

Seem's a very weird route ?/ And in January.. Unless you have a specific reason to go that way. Narbonne to Zaragossa is the one I cant work out..
France will be cold and dark..

 

[pappajohn]

I would hazard a guess that Fiat do not make batteries so I would suggest that there is no such thing as a "genuine Fiat battery".



Dave

Neither do Mercedes, but my Chrysler is fitted with one.

Thats what I meant in my previous post.....they buy in batteries which then have their brand name label fitted....and repriced accordingly.

 

[Dennisad]

"Orleans, Clermont Ferrand, Narbonne, Zaragoza, Madrid"

Seem's a very weird route ?/ And in January.. Unless you have a specific reason to go that way. Narbonne to Zaragossa is the one I cant work out..
France will be cold and dark..

We are avoiding Toll Roads (Hopefully) and my wife is concerning about driving over the mountains i.e. Narbonne to Zaragoza.

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[Dennisad]

What I meant is that is the reason for Narbonne to Zaragoza.

 

[EssexBoy]

Hopefully that will solve the flat battery problem (fingers crossed).

Hi @Dennisad
Flat batteries are caused by no/bad charging so would really advise getting to the root of your charging issue asap.

If you don't, then you could be back at square one, looking for another new engine battery to fit.

Cheers... Steve

 

[tonka]

What I meant is that is the reason for Narbonne to Zaragoza.

I think you answered above ref the hills. But the crossing into Spain at Irun is no issue except some tolls to speed things up. At cleremont ferand you still have big hills. Safe trip which ever way you choose.