Battery drain issues on 2009 Ford Rimor Superbrig

[Sidders]

Hi Funsters,

Looking to possibly purchase the above motorhome.
It's a 2009 with FSH and has done approx 35k miles. The owner has been very honest re any issues. 1 of the things he mentioned was that both batteries up front (not the leisure battery) were replaced last year due to the original beginning to drain if it was left parked up for longer than 6 weeks. He said this is still the case (only if left parked up for the same length of time).
I've read some stuff online of people having similar issues with the Transit chassis and replacing various parts(starter motor/altenator) - but no real outcome.
Has anyone come across this issue?

Thanks
Sid

 

[Lenny HB]

That's normal 3 - 4 weeks max if they are not being charged, both Fiat & Ford.

 

[Sidders]

Lenny HB - thanks Lenny, he just didn’t understand why it was still happening on the new battery when the previous/original battery was good and gave no issues for approx 8/9 years.

 

[andy63]

If its a ford with two vehicle batteries then one of them will be a dedicated starter battery and is isolated from the other battery when the engine is off..
That battery supplies the needs of all the vehicle functions ..ie alarm central locking radio etc.. so sitting for 4 to 6 wks with no charge is likely to flatten it... the plus is the vehicle will always start?..as there is no drain on that battery..
If the aux battery does flatten it can cause some problems.... not least your fob wont work properly...
A solar charge connection to that battery is a good idea..
Andy..

 

[Sidders]

andy63 - thanks Andy, that sounds about right as he said the stereo code was re-setting so he just replaced both batteries. His confusion was that the previous battery apparently never done that. He seemed to think there was some further digging about required behind the dash - then again it was a Ford Dealer that told him that. I have no experience of them and don’t know how good they are.
Will def have a look at a solar set up. Any you would recommend?
Thanks??

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[andy63]

No specific reccommendation...you could have a dedicated panel and controler for those batteries or fit a dual control regulator that splits the charge between your leisure and vehicle batteries..
I'm dont know what the existing set up is...

On the transit i had with twin vehicle batteries i fitted a 120amp blue sea dual sensing voltage sensitive relay between the leisure batteries and the vehicle batteries... that worked well for me...
Ford recommend that the aux battery be of the deep cycle type with start capabilities..

Andy..

 

[Sidders]

Thanks Andy