Battery Help (Sorry another Battery Thread!!)

[Rjcamper]

OK, so I have gone through the search function, but can not see a specific answer....

I have two leisure batteries, wired in 'Parallel' (I know if one fails they both fail!!) now these have been in for over a year like this (Batteries are old than a year) and are wired into the solar panel as well as normal driving charge etc. Not had any problems....

Not used van for a couple of months, went out to check and voltage on my display was around 9v. I had left something on, so turned that off, went for a drive to get some charge in the batteries - Display reading +13.5v when engine on. Isolated the habitation area, came back a week later, nothing!

I have taken one out to put on charge, reading was 6 - 6.5v, I will see later what it gets to.

Now my assumption at this stage is I have a duff battery that is not holding charge? Thoughts?

 

[chrisandbev]

sounds like you have duf battery if they went do to 9volts then sounds like you need new ones.

 

[Rjcamper]

I am also assuming that the battery once it has been on charge for a while will not hold charge?

 

[Tombola]

your batteries are goosed Pal.

lead acid batteries( I assume) dont survive that, yeah they will work and poss take a charge, but wont hold it, the plates are caked.
you could limp along and they would work onhook up, but for usage, its probably time to be recycled

 

[PJGWiltshire]

I found Tanya batteries the best price for replacement. Do not forget that you will get about £9-£10 for each duff battery at the local scrap yard, so that brings your price down a bit. Just posted that they are selling ES900 Gels at £148.00 each

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[Rjcamper]

OK, battery on charge for less than two hour, charger turns off, battery reading 14+v, seems to be a bit quick to go from 6v to 14v??

 

[PJGWiltshire]

Put an amp meter across if not keave for 24 hrs and then unhook then see what the reading is a further 24 hours later

 

[paddymcc]

Read them again in an hour or so. I presume that you have disconnected the solar panel as well? If you have then they should read 12.7 v resting state if fully charged.

 

[Rjcamper]

Thanks, just got the other battery out, thats reading 16+V, before I even look at charging...... Put the other battery back in, Solar controller is reading 9+V and flashing battery symbol, battery is still reading 14v but habitation panel wont turn back on? Fuses all OK???

going to be one of those days :-(

 

[paddymcc]

Thanks, just got the other battery out, thats reading 16+V, before I even look at charging...... Put the other battery back in, Solar controller is reading 9+V and flashing battery symbol, battery is still reading 14v but habitation panel wont turn back on? Fuses all OK???

going to be one of those days :-(

16v is too high so you either have a faulty charger or a faulty meter

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[chrisandbev]

16v is too high so you either have a faulty charger or a faulty meter

very true

 

[Rjcamper]

OK, Controller on Solar says just over 9V, battery light flashing, tested at controller battery terminals and multimeter says 14V, tested at battery says 14V, solar incoming cable fluctuating (as expected??)

Its the Ecoworthy Controller that came with panel. also still can't get habitation to turn on.....

 

[pappajohn]

OK, battery on charge for less than two hour, charger turns off, battery reading 14+v, seems to be a bit quick to go from 6v to 14v??

The 14v you see is the voltage just off charge,
2 hour charge is not long enough... Charge for 24 hours.
After charging leave disconnected for an hour at least then check voltage.
You could also check your multimeter on another battery.... Car perhaps... To confirm it isn't giving a false reading.

 

[GeoffnDee]

Control panels sometimes will not turn on if the battery voltage is to low or to high (depending on type/model)

 

[Rjcamper]

Ok for now I have kept solar panel disconnected. Stated van, habitation came on, that panel read 9v and dropped quickly and turned off.

Will test with the new multimeter I have in the van

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[Revolvor]

On my Sargent control panel, the Leisure Battery is disconnected if the voltage falls to 9v.

 

[Rjcamper]

OK, numpty question, see below I am using the right setting on the multi meter?

 

[GeoffnDee]

Wrong setting, set it to the 20 , (the setting below the one you are on)

 

[Rjcamper]

Wrong setting, set it to the 20 , (the setting below the one you are on)

But on the right side.....??

 

[PJGWiltshire]

OK, numpty question, see below I am using the right setting on the multi meter?

View attachment 549650

Following another thread re lithium on Carthago. From your efforts so far. You must be the technician who works for Travel world Motorhomes working on another van. Good luck with the problem solving

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[GeoffnDee]

On the side you are on (left) but down one to 20

 

[Richard n Ann]

But on the right side.....??

Yes it's OK, you'll just get a better resolution on 20... ie more numbers after the decimal point

 

[Revolvor]

Yes it's OK, you'll just get a better resolution on 20... ie more numbers after the decimal point

Even at that resolution, it's a very flat battery!

 

[Rjcamper]

Following another thread re lithium on Carthago. From your efforts so far. You must be the technician who works for Travel world Motorhomes working on another van. Good luck with the problem solving

If only ;-) can you post the link, it might help me out at the same time

 

[Tombola]

Lets face it, the things dead, gone deceased, is no more, gone to meet its maker, kaput,knackered. Try what you want she aint coming back.

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[Rjcamper]

Lets face it, the things dead, gone deceased, is no more, gone to meet its maker, kaput,knackered. Try what you want she aint coming back.

At least I am not going mad !!! or mader than normal. Off to order two new batteries.......

 

[PJGWiltshire]

At least I am not going mad !!! or mader than normal. Off to order two new batteries.......

After you put in the new ones you then know you can trust them and enjoy the van off grid

 

[Revolvor]

Remember to disconnect the Solar panels from the controller (or cover them) before you fit the new batteries, to allow the controller to detect the battery voltage.

 

[Rjcamper]

Just picked up two new 'matching' batteries got trade at Halfords which has helped, thought about gel but decided to stay the same for now.....

 

[Wabs]

On their way to battery heaven as we speak

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