Battery issue? (1 Viewer)

[Manxcat]

We have a Globecar, 3 years old with 2 leisure batteries, gell type.

Suddenly we are finding that our electric supply is only lasting about 7 hours so we have no electricity in the morning.

A few weeks ago we took the van to a local auto electrical specialist who tested the batteries etc could not find a real fault, but "cleaned" the fuse box at the back, seemed OK for a few weeks. We are now back to where we were, can't survive the night.

Today it was tested again at the annual habitation service. Again no drain could be found. The foreman suggested that the batteries may need replacing especially as the charge seems to fall off a cliff rather than steadily fall.

Is there an expert here who can advise please. Don't want to buy 2 new leisure batteries unnecessarily.

Thanks

 

[pappajohn]

How are the batteries charged, assuming you dont normally use hookup ?

 

[DavidG58]

We bought our MH at three years old and immediately found an issue with poor 12V

Our MH was fitted with 2 x gel batteries, so based on age alone I bought 2 new ones, then found when removed that one was near perfect and the other goosed, but that one dragged them both down

Fours years on, had similar issue, while at vanbitz for other work they checked the batteries, again one out of 2 had failed, that one has now been removed, we now get much better power from the one remaining good battery, I don't know how long ago this one failed or if it was ever any good.

This is a potential problem with multiple batteries, one bad will dramatically affect the whole bank

Testing isn't that easy either, they need to be fully disconnected from any charge, including solar and from each other, at some point in that effort there is a significant chance of a short circuit if anything touches the wrong place

If in any doubt get it done by someone who knows what they are doing, or at least has good insurance

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[Lenny HB]

If Gel's have been looked after they normally last 6 years plus.
I would separate the batteries then charge each one up making sure it is fully charged Gel's need to be held at 14.4v for 8 hours to ensure a full charge. Then put a controlled load on the battery by turning on lights etc. say 5 amps for 4 hours that would be 25% discharge on a 80a/h battery, turn the load off and check voltage after 30 - 60 min, repeat to take it down to 50% charge & again for 25%, Then repeat on the other battery.

 

[Lenny HB]

David's case is quite rare normally Gel's are very reliable but everything goes wrong with David's van.

 

[pappajohn]

If Gel's have been looked after they normally last 6 years plus.
I would separate the batteries then charge each one up making sure it is fully charged Gel's need to be held at 14.4v for 8 hours to ensure a full charge. Then put a controlled load on the battery by turning on lights etc. say 5 amps for 4 hours that would be 25% discharge on a 80a/h battery, turn the load off and check voltage after 30 - 60 min, repeat to take it down to 50% charge & again for 25%, Then repeat on the other battery.
View attachment 153718

Thats why i asked how they were charged as it appears no hookup is used and even if it was is the charger capable and set for gell charging.
Same with solar except not enough sun hours at this time of year anyway plus driving isnt sufficient unless for many hours or a B2B fitted.
My guess is the gell charge regime isnt being used and the batteries are now knackered.

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[WhiteCheyenneMan]

If you end up having to buy new batteries, I strongly recommend that you read this first http://www.aandncaravanservices.co.uk/battery-technology.php . I emailed these people and Allan couldn't have been more helpful...........and he doesn't even sell batteries! But he really knows his stuff I've just bought 2 x Varta LFD90's for £90 each with free next day delivery to my selected fitter. Quite a few suppliers around this price but I chose https://advancedbatterysupplies.co.uk/product/varta-lfd90/ and they were excellent.

 

[Manxcat]

Hi pappajohn

Normally we are on electric hookup. The van is permanently hooked up at the house. We will wild camp about once every 2 weeks.

 

[Lenny HB]

If you monitor the charging voltage it could give you an idea if they are being charged correctly.

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[Huwmari]

Is it possible that you are using too many gadgets which are exhausting your supply? I'm no expert but to go through all your power in 7 hours sounds as though you must have lots of things switched on? Just saying ......

 

[Manxcat]

We are sure that that's not the case. We have only a few gadgets. Until recently we had not trouble wild camping for 2 or 3 days, as should be the case.

 

[PeteH]

I go with, separate the batteries. charge and monitor. Any defect will show in the differential between charges.

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[pappajohn]

Hi pappajohn

Normally we are on electric hookup. The van is permanently hooked up at the house. We will wild camp about once every 2 weeks.

Is your charger set for gell batteries ?
They require a higher charge voltage (14.4v) than standard lead acid (13.8v) and will never charge fully on the lead acid setting, more than likely damaging them in the process.

 

[Manxcat]

How can I tell?

The batteries are factory standard, all I know to do is plug in the wire at the side of the van.

 

[Diabalo]

If they have been working ok and suddenly they are not then something has changed end of, the tricky bit is finding what has changed, simples, or not

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[eddie]

"Cleaned the fuse box?"

I would ask the chap (chappesh) that did this for more explanation.

If the van is three years old, why was it dirty? And what sort of Dirt?

If the problem was there before this, and all OK after this, and the use regime since has been the same and the problem has returned, I'd be suspicious

As I can't understand what would need to be "cleaned" you need to ask

 

[Manxcat]

Hi guys

I have a theory. It may be our Huawei WiFi dangle. Normally this is permanently plugged in. I have noticed that it's battery seems to be f**cked. I am wondering if this is sufficient to drain the system. Today I will buy a ewes do glenlough or battery.

Will repost tomorrow morning.

 

[Lenny HB]

Is your charger set for gell batteries ?
They require a higher charge voltage (14.4v) than standard lead acid (13.8v) and will never charge fully on the lead acid setting, more than likely damaging them in the process.

That is not correct, both require 14.4v 13.8v is a maintenance charge that the charger reduces to once they are fully charged.
The difference is a wet cell is fully charged an hour after reaching 14.4v where a Gel requires 8 hours, if you don't maintain the voltage for 8 hours you only achieve an 80% charge.

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[eddie]

That is not correct, both require 14.4v 13.8v is a maintenance charge that the charger reduces to once they are fully charged.
The difference is a wet cell is fully charged an hour after reaching 14.4v where a Gel requires 8 hours, if you don't maintain the voltage for 8 hours you only achieve an 80% charge.

I wonder what voltage GEL batteries charge at when the engine is running?

 

[Lenny HB]

I wonder what voltage GEL batteries charge at when the engine is running?

Your favorite one Eddie I know you are just trying to wind me up and you know Gel's are very tolerant of charging voltage.

 

[pappajohn]

That is not correct, both require 14.4v 13.8v is a maintenance charge that the charger reduces to once they are fully charged.
The difference is a wet cell is fully charged an hour after reaching 14.4v where a Gel requires 8 hours, if you don't maintain the voltage for 8 hours you only achieve an 80% charge.

I agree, but it still needs 14.4v and many motorhome chargers are set for 13.6v to prevent overvoltage to some 12v equipment, unless they are modern smart chargers.
13.6v will never fully charge a battery.

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[Lenny HB]

I agree, but it still needs 14.4v and many motorhome chargers are set for 13.6v to prevent overvoltage to some 12v equipment, unless they are modern smart chargers.
13.6v will never fully charge a battery.

They were the old generation of chargers they used 13.6/13.8 volts so that batteries didn't gas off, in the 70's/80's even 90's leisure batteries only lasted 2 or 3 years as they never received a proper charge.