Fiat euro 5 enginge battery discharging (1 Viewer)

[davanne]

Has anyone had a problem with battery discharging on the new Fiat euro5 engine?
The other day we were due to take van in to have a replacement sat nav fitted.
Enginge wouldn't start:Sad: Put on charge for an hour started
Dealer said it is a problem with this engine if not used for 10 days or so and it tells you in the fiat handbook. Wanted to sell us a solar panel for £750
We have had numerous fiat motorhomes and never had this problem.
Spoke to Fiat today and they suggest using the battery disconnection switch and then use the key for opening doors when it is not in use.
What then happens about the alarm I say...you will have to leave it switched off they say...but what about the insurance I say if alarm isn't on no insurance.
Sorry that is all we can suggest:Sad:
Any suggestions gratefully received .....we have thought of going down the solar panel route as the van has everything in place just needs a panel and wire to control box.

 

[Brisey]

I would suggest that a solar panel and a device called a Battery Master is the way to go. The solar panel will charge your leisure battery, the Battery Master will allow the charge to go to your engine battery if it runs down.

 

[cudleydudley]

ford euro 5 engine

my engine battery go's flat [phantom tracker rings to say your batter is low]
im back to the dealers for other works, so i will bring up this problem,[brand new m/home 1st march 2012]
is it the euro 5 engine fault, any one know the answer??oh:

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[davanne]

Our van was new 1st March as well....interesting to hear you have the same problem..please keep us informed how you go on

 

[TheBig1]

there are various items drawing a small current even when the engine is off. especially the alarm, tracker, radio and some other circuits to do with the imobiliser. unfortunately this means that the battery slowly discharges and when not used for 10 to 14 days can result in a flat battery.

either fit a solar panel for unattended charging or plug into an electric hookup and make sure the battery charges. this is the trade off for having such an electric energy hungry van due to the features. Its not a fault by the way, merely a feature that you need to plan for

another possible solution is a battery isolator switch on the van battery and wire the alarm to the leisure battery

 

[pappajohn]

I've always said there are far to many un-necessary electronics on a modern diesel engine.

and there's only one group to blame....the paranoid 'clean air' freaks. :Angry:

the old oilers were dirty, uneconomical and polluting but were very reliable compared to today's 'fresh air' burners.

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[Organplayer]

organplayer

Our new euro5 based m/hme is fitted with 2 110watt solars and battery master.Alarm is left on all time when it is parked up and there has never been any engine battery problems.

 

[davanne]

Thanks for replies and suggestions...it looks like we will go down the solar panel route.
Anyone reccomend a good one ....the van is all wired up for one but not a lot of room on the roof due to panoramic roof vent and sat dome.

 

[hilldweller]

Thanks for replies and suggestions...it looks like we will go down the solar panel route.
Anyone reccomend a good one ....the van is all wired up for one but not a lot of room on the roof due to panoramic roof vent and sat dome.

You should bombard them with demands for a free one. It's not like the van was cheap, you say the wiring is in place and to a manufacturer a 100W solar panel would be £100 tops.

It's a disgrace perhaps not quite as big as Juddergate but in the same vein of "we've screwed up, let the mug who bought it pay for our cock up".

Go for them on the basis of "Not fit for purpose", I want a holiday longer then 10 days in one place.

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[jhorsf]

There must be a fault as the model before will stand for months and months alarmed and the battery is fine,so why should the latest models be any different?

 

[davanne]

Our previous van was a 2007 Fiat and we never had a problem with it starting even after standing for 6 weeks so like you say what is the difference with the new euro 5 engine. As youhave pointed out Not fit for purpose!!!

 

[hilldweller]

As you have pointed out Not fit for purpose!!!

Go get 'em tiger.

Mention trading standards and the sale of goods act and you are a personal friend of the prime minister.

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