Another battery charging ques sorry!

[MarkP]

Hi, looking for some help please.
Have a 2012 Peugeot Elddis Autoquest 180 which (I'm pretty sure) charges the leisure battery (140ah) whilst travelling but I'm not aware if the system has a way to recharge the starter.
I've attached a photo of the control panel which has an AUX/VEH switch which I believe allows the habitat power source to be chosen.
My questions are;
Does this switch also select which battery is connected on EHU?
Are there any clues I can look for that will identify any charging system already installed?
In the absence of a system what can I install that will trickle charge the starter on EHU either at home or on a site?
Sorry to be a pain!

 

[autorouter]

Sorry I don't know the details of this MH charging system. But there are a few general facts.

A battery normally has a voltage of between 12.0 and 12.8 volts, and cannot put out more than about 13.6 volts unaided. So if you take a multimeter reading of the battery terminals, and it's 13.6 volts or more, then something must be charging it. So you can always tell if a battery is being charged or not.

Some chargers boost the voltage for a short time to over 14 volts, and some just stick to about 13.6 volts.

If the system does not charge the starter battery, there's more than one solution. The simplest solution is a BatteryMaster, which senses when the leisure battery is being charged, and diverts a small trickle charge current to the starter battery to keep it charged. It's a permanent solution, fit and forget.

Alternatively you could fit a small mains trickle charger to the starter battery, of the type used to keep classic car batteries charged. This could be wired permanently, or with temporary battery clips every time you change location.

If you fit a solar panel, you can get a 'dual battery' solar charge controller that will charge the leisure battery, and also send a small charge to the starter battery to keep it charged

 

[MarkP]

Hi Autorouter, thanks very much for the reply.
I actually have a 12v 1a mains battery charger which used to be for a motorbike but from what I can gather this should be ok for the 2.2l van engine it will just be a bit slower. The battery was recently tested at Halfords and showed no issue so the trickle charger will hopefully only be needed to top up.
So what I'm hoping to do is plug the charger directly into the garage whilst at home but when at a site on EHU plug the charger into one of the mohos 240v socket and charge from that. Are there any issues with this do you think??
I think I might as well try this before spending more money and if it fails then look at the battery master option.

 

[Stealaway]

Buy a new 'big' battery charger. Using a motorbike battery charger is worse than waiting for paint to dry - its just not good enough.

 

[tonyidle]

Buy a new 'big' battery charger. Using a motorbike battery charger is worse than waiting for paint to dry - its just not good enough.

It's only to maintain the starter battery.

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[pappajohn]

If its just to keep the engine battery maintained (topped up) then go for it.
As already said, stick a multimeter on the engine battery with the van on hookup and the selector switch to cab/engine.
More than 12.7v and it should be charging from the onboard charger.
If you NEED to do this a lot your engine battery if probably failing.

 

[Stealaway]

It's only to maintain the starter battery.

You'll be lucky to get 0.5 amps from a motorbike charger. Great for a 5 Ah battery, I think his will be a bit bigger .

 

[MarkP]

You'll be lucky to get 0.5 amps from a motorbike charger. Great for a 5 Ah battery, I think his will be a bit bigger .

I do have reservations on how effective it'll be, but I'll try it first, I've attached the battery test from Halfords who said it was good, perhaps someone can confirm this for me please??

As already said, stick a multimeter on the engine battery with the van on hookup and the selector switch to cab/engine.
More than 12.7v and it should be charging from the onboard charger.
If you NEED to do this a lot your engine battery if probably failing.

Pappajohn, am I correct in saying that when I hook up and select VEH on my panel then my starter battery should get a feed? If this is the case is the leisure battery completely ignored or does it get a feed as well??
Thanks all

 

[movan]

Hi, looking for some help please.
Have a 2012 Peugeot Elddis Autoquest 180 which (I'm pretty sure) charges the leisure battery (140ah) whilst travelling but I'm not aware if the system has a way to recharge the starter.
I've attached a photo of the control panel which has an AUX/VEH switch which I believe allows the habitat power source to be chosen.
My questions are;
Does this switch also select which battery is connected on EHU?
Are there any clues I can look for that will identify any charging system already installed?
In the absence of a system what can I install that will trickle charge the starter on EHU either at home or on a site?
Sorry to be a pain!

Can't answer your question ... but YOU ARE NOT A PAIN. We all have to ask questions ... loads of them... so much to learn.

 

[Ivory55]

If you understand the black art of 12v motorhome electric you’re a better man than me.

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[Richard n Ann]

I do have reservations on how effective it'll be, but I'll try it first, I've attached the battery test from Halfords who said it was good, perhaps someone can confirm this for me please??


Pappajohn, am I correct in saying that when I hook up and select VEH on my panel then my starter battery should get a feed? If this is the case is the leisure battery completely ignored or does it get a feed as well??
Thanks all

The motorcycle maintainer should be fine. I use a smart 800ma maintainer (optimate 2) on our main leisure battery when the van is layed up and it only decides to charge it periodically. I've got a battery monitor so I know exactly what's going in and out you see

 

[MarkP]

It seems a PHD in electronic engineering would be useful!

Can't answer your question ... but YOU ARE NOT A PAIN. We all have to ask questions ... loads of them... so much to learn.

I do try and check out previous threads before asking questions as I'm sure people who are good enough to help can get a bit peeved repeating themselves!

 

[funflair]

Just fit a battery master Between habitation and starter battery’s that will then “top up” from the habitation when on hook up but will also work if you have solar power, easy to fit as it’s only 2 or 3 wires.

Martin

 

[movan]

It seems a PHD in electronic engineering would be useful!


I do try and check out previous threads before asking questions as I'm sure people who are good enough to help can get a bit peeved repeating themselves!

Nah. it makes them feel clever.

As Martin says above, it really stopped me worrying as I struggle understanding anything technical or mechanical ... if you are at a meet then there is usually someone who can help you fit it.