2020 Dethleffs Trend A class starter battery location

[Sharms1966]

Good morning!

Can anyone tell me where the starter battery is located on a Dethleffs Trend A class? I have found one which is under the drivers seat, which I think is the leisure battery.

The vehicle will be kept in storage, so am intending to fit some leads to the starter battery to enable charging whilst it is stored

many thanks

David

 

[Marmite]

Under the passenger footwell.

You can use jumper leads in the engine bay .. near side there is a flap which exposes the positive terminal .. then look for an earth

 

[Sharms1966]

Thank you Tamste. Is it accessed from inside the vehicle or from under the bonnet?

Many thanks

David

 

[Sharms1966]

My intention is to fit a small solar panel in one of the skylights to trickle charge the battery whilst in storage, so would be easier if the leads stay inside the van

Many thanks

David

 

[Marmite]

To get to the battery itself, its under a cover inside the vehicle in the passenger footwell, but for using jump leads you can use the point under the bonnet .. RH side as you are looking into the engine bay there is a plastic flap that lifts to expose the positive terminal, then find a suitable earth for the negative.

As I have an alarm running, I have had a solar panel fitted which charges the habitation batteries (under the drivers seat) and a battery master that trickle charges the vehicle battery from the habitation battery. This has worked great. Used Vanbitz who did a great job.

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[Lenny HB]

You need to take care of the starter battery charging if the voltage low it gets expensive as the air bag often ECU fails.
If fitting solar get a regulator with a dual output so it charges both batteries or fit a CBE CBS 2 relay or battery masteB both of these will keep the battery topped up from the leisure batteries.

 

[Sharms1966]

To get to the battery itself, its under a cover inside the vehicle in the passenger footwell, but for using jump leads you can use the point under the bonnet .. RH side as you are looking into the engine bay there is a plastic flap that lifts to expose the positive terminal, then find a suitable earth for the negative.

As I have an alarm running, I have had a solar panel fitted which charges the habitation batteries (under the drivers seat) and a battery master that trickle charges the vehicle battery from the habitation battery. This has worked great. Used Vanbitz who did a great job.

Thanks guys

So the van is booked in to get an alarm fitted at Vanbitz early June, you advise I should get the solar panel and battery master fitted to save any problems with either battery?

 

[Lenny HB]

Thanks guys

So the van is booked in to get an alarm fitted at Vanbitz early June, you advise I should get the solar panel and battery master fitted to save any problems with either battery?

Yes.

 

[Sharms1966]

Tamste, is there also a battery isolated with fitted somewhere to enable the starter battery to be disconnected from the system while stored? Although probably not much good if I am having an alarm fitted.......

 

[Lenny HB]

Tamste, is there also a battery isolated with fitted somewhere to enable the starter battery to be disconnected from the system while stored? Although probably not much good if I am having an alarm fitted.......

I wouldn't disconnect the starter battery, modern vehicles aren't designed to have the battery disconnected for more than a few minutes can often involve having to have ECU's reset if disconnected for too long.

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[Marmite]

Apart from the ECU stuff commented on by LennyHB, you will need the battery connected for the alarm to work, and most if not all insurers insist that the alarm is running all the time, even if in secure storage, therefore not a good idea to disconnect the battery. Even if disconnected, it will still lose some charge - Note Vanbitz include a Battery Master when they fit solar.... at least they did when I had mine fitted last year

 

[Sharms1966]

Thanks for your input guys, much appreciated!
Looks like a solar panel and battery master then..........