Battery flat - Fiat Autotrail Apache

[KirkViv]

We're new to motorhoming (purchased in September this year) - we've done lots of milage (right around Scotland etc.) but we've left the it in storage for 4 weeks without starting it and the vehicle battery is completely flat -
1) is this normal - do you start and drive your vehicles every week?
2) we tried bog standard jump leads from our car but with no success - assume we need heavy duty leads - from a bigger vehicle battery?
Ironically the leisure battery was fine! TIA

 

[robnchris]

The Autotrail Apache is rather power hungry when left unused, we have a trickle charger connected to the Habitation battery, the engine battery receives enough charge to keep it topped up via one of Vanbitz "Battery Master".

 

[MichaelT]

Probably the radio drawing power. A normal battery from a car should at least bring it to life and start it so maybe the battery is kaput

 

[laurieash]

For the price of a new well made battery. I would just fit new.

 

[laurieash]

Piece of mind but if the old one comes back with a trickle charge. You have a backup battery buy cheap buy twice same goes for jump leads.

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[Bessy765]

When trying to jump start let the. Donor vehicles engine run at a fast idle for 15 mins to get some power in the flat battery, this will lessen the load on the donors battery.

 

[Lenny HB]

In good condition a starter battery will be OK for 3 to 4 weeks but not much longer. If it's gone too flat to start the engine it's best to replace it as it will have lost a lot of its capacity.
If jump starting don't just connect another vehicle and try and start it you need to connect the other vehicle and leave it running for 10 min before trying to start or you risk damage to the electronics.

Do you have solar charging the leisure battery if so some solar controllers have a second output to charge the starter battery if not you cab fit a Battery mainainter like a Batterymaster or Ablemail this will keep the starter battery topped up from the leisure battery.

 

[chesterfield hooligan]

Even with a jump pack it's best to connect then leave a couple of minutes to help the flat battery if reading nothing use the smart battery detector before attempting to start the vehicle.

 

[KirkViv]

The Autotrail Apache is rather power hungry when left unused, we have a trickle charger connected to the Habitation battery, the engine battery receives enough charge to keep it topped up via one of Vanbitz "Battery Master".

Sounds great - where can I get one and how long can you leave it without driving?

 

[Tombola]

Vanbitz battery master you can leave it depending on how much charge your leisure battery has. Mine was left indefinitely as my solar keeps the leisure topped up, the leisure keeps the van battery topped up.

, just check where ever you buy from it's in stock as I think that's why the vanbitz website has page is 404 waiting for more stock??

But AshVanBitz could shed more light

Link to 3rd party seller below.

https://www.campervanstuff.com/shop_stuff/index.php?mod=product&id_prd=129207

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[CamperManLez]

We're new to motorhoming (purchased in September this year) - we've done lots of milage (right around Scotland etc.) but we've left the it in storage for 4 weeks without starting it and the vehicle battery is completely flat -
1) is this normal - do you start and drive your vehicles every week?
2) we tried bog standard jump leads from our car but with no success - assume we need heavy duty leads - from a bigger vehicle battery?
Ironically the leisure battery was fine! TIA

I charge mine every 3 weeks, takes about 5 hours with a 7 amp charger (mine is easy to do as the van is on my drive). The alarm/immobiliser is a constant drain. You don't say how old the battery is? don't expect much life after 4-5 years

 

[AshVanBitz]

Our website is currently having a revamp and the Battery Master along with the majorty of our other products have not been relisted yet. This will be rectified in the New Year.
We have plenty in stock but we are currently closed for our annual Christmas shutdown. If you call us on the 3rd January we can then send them out in the post.
KR
Ash

 

[GeoffnDee]

Sounds great - where can I get one and how long can you leave it without driving?

KirkViv ,The Vanbitz battery master can also be seen and purchased through the Motorhome fun shop (shown at the bottom of this page)

 

[TDub49]

We're new to motorhoming (purchased in September this year) - we've done lots of milage (right around Scotland etc.) but we've left the it in storage for 4 weeks without starting it and the vehicle battery is completely flat -
1) is this normal - do you start and drive your vehicles every week?
2) we tried bog standard jump leads from our car but with no success - assume we need heavy duty leads - from a bigger vehicle battery?
Ironically the leisure battery was fine! TIA

Not totally familiar with the Autotrail but believe it is Ducato based? If so, it could be the dreaded Ducato earthing problem that is giving you the idea the battery is flat - have you actually checked it with a multi-meter? If the battery is actually flat (i.e. showing less than 12.5 volts) it could be that it has simply died. If there is a voltage drain it would go on draining the battery to beyond recovery so it may not be that but the only way to tell is with a meter.

 

[Harrogate motorhomer]

Have you checked that the dreaded 12v black button is off. When we bought our tracker in 2012 we weren’t told & came back to storage to find the battery flat in just over 2 weeks in June.

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[rob1234]

a portable jump starter would be handy ,,i have one, and it has helped me, and the family out a few times, decent one around £100 ie on my autotrail there is a little rocker switch i can either charge the cab ,,or the habitation battery ,,

 

[RustyRuss]

Second vote for the black shut off button on the left hand side of the fuse box in the cupboard adjacent to the driver’s head. We have 2013 Autotrail Apache too and the black button isolates the radio and other current users. The blooming radio has a mind of its own, it switches itself on completely randomly! We have 360w of solar panels on the roof but during these really long periods of winter darkness I still switch the black isolator off.

Cheers!

Russ

 

[RM_Marine]

I've got solar that has trickle charge to the vehicle battery

It's let me down yet but as alot of people ha e pointed out this week there has been very little sunlight this month

 

[Miggs]

I just had exactly the same with my 2018 Apache 700. Had to replace the cab battery, it went down to 8v! I now have the Sargent EC700 set to Smart charging so the solar switches to wherever it's needed most - hope it works!
I am lucky to have the van on my drive, so I now keep it plugged in on a timer to give 2hrs every 2 days. Will see how it goes.
Somebody once told me if you turn off the 12v isolator, the solar charger will not work....don't know if this is true or not...anyone confirm?

 

[Tombola]

if you turn off the 12v isolator, the solar charger will not work....don't know if this is true or not...anyone confirm?

true
it completely isolates both systems from each other , 12v cab and 12v hab

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[laurieash]

a portable jump starter would be handy ,,i have one, and it has helped me, and the family out a few times, decent one around £100 ie on my autotrail there is a little rocker switch i can either charge the cab ,,or the habitation battery ,,

View attachment 848784

I also have a 2013 Autofail always wondered what that rocker switch was.

 

[RM_Marine]

I have a 2014 autotrail

The rocker switch does isolate the 12v but if you have a aftermarket solar panel fitted like I do, it does still charge the 12v system and due to the Victron solar charger I've fitted there is a trickle charge to the vehicle battery

 

[KirkViv]

For the price of a new well made battery. I would just fit new.

Looks like that's going to be our option - any idea of cost please?

 

[RustyRuss]

Hi I’m fairly sure you need a ”019” battery. This designates the physical size and terminals on the battery. I have had good experience with the GSF group (German Swedish French for those not in the know!) I used my registration number to replicate your 2013 Apache and brought up these three. Europarts are also an option. GSF are very likely to have a branch in a major town near you, they also seem to be able to deliver! Sub £100 for a 019 battery is outstanding value in my opinion. Others may be along soon with better deals on line. A word of warning, you get what you pay for! I would DEFINATELY CHECK THE DIMENSIONS OF YOUR BATTERY BEFORE YOU BUY!!!

Let us know how you get on as it will help others in a similar situation.

Cheers!

Russ