Cab Battery Charging

[AG 2602]

Hi All
My MH is in storage but the cab battery is getting low showing 12.2 volts. Ideally I would take it out for a run but I’m still working and have stuff on the next few weekends.

If I take the battery out and charge it overnight do I need a code to get the radio working again? Also currently have a tracker and alarm fitted will these need to be reset?

Plan will be to have a battery master fitted in the new year?

Thanks

 

[glenn2926]

Hi All
My MH is in storage but the cab battery is getting low showing 12.2 volts. Ideally I would take it out for a run but I’m still working and have stuff on the next few weekends.

If I take the battery out and charge it overnight do I need a code to get the radio working again? Also currently have a tracker and alarm fitted will these need to be reset?

Plan will be to have a battery master fitted in the new year?

Thanks

Can’t you just plug in a battery charger where it’s in storage? This would let you leave on trickle charge. Alternatively if it’s hooked up you could plug in a battery charger to one of your 240v sockets and charge from that.

 

[pappajohn]

If it's a Ducati base a low battery can cause serious and irreversible damage to the airbag ECU.
May be worth getting a cheap battery to put on while home charging the original.
Radio code, no idea.

 

[Lenny HB]

I think if you leave the battery disconnected for more than 15 min you can get all sorts of problems with the ECU's.
Also if the starter battery gets low around 12.4v it can goose the Airbag ECU.
If you are not on mains and have solar you could just run a wire from the positive of the hab battery to the starter battery, Its a good idea to put a 5 or 10 amp fuse inline then if you forget to disconnect when starting it will blow if it tries to take current from the hab battery. This is just a temporary fix.

 

[Two Rivers]

Have you thought about using an Optimate charger and leave it connected all the time whilst stationary.
search the Optimate website for information

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[pappajohn]

Have you thought about using an Optimate charger and leave it connected all the time whilst stationary.
search the Optimate website for information

Still needs mains.
If there's a mains supply just use hook up for onboard charger

 

[Two Rivers]

Optimate do solar chargers too

 

[glenn2926]

Still needs mains.
If there's a mains supply just use hook up for onboard charger

Not all vans charge the vehicle battery when on hook. I found this out the first winter I had my Chausson. It now does.

 

[Carolyn and Kev]

2016 plated Fiat Ducato ...engine battery is removed whilst in storage. Refit it when we go up to check out for a monthly visit and all is well. Not had a problem with ECUs or anything to be honest? Battery is on Smart trickle charge at home keeping it topped up for use when needed

Carolyn

 

[Augusta08]

The Augusta spends 3 months a year in a storage facility, I disconnect the battery (otherwise it drains flat in three weeks) without any issues on ECU.

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[AG 2602]

Thanks for the feed back.
I’ve got no hook up where it’s kept so no options to charge. It has solar but only charges the hab batteries.

I think the best option might be to buy a cheap one as pappa john suggested. I’m really not good with electrics!

The current battery is about 5 years old and even when fully charged shows 12.6v? Is this correct or should it be higher? If it should be higher should I buy a better one to use and keep the old a spare?

Thanks again

 

[SteveRallye]

You may wish to look at a Lithium battery, expensive but I think it would las t quite a long time in storage

 

[pappajohn]

Not all vans charge the vehicle battery when on hook. I found this out the first winter I had my Chausson. It now does.

Yes, I realised after posting.

 

[pappajohn]

The current battery is about 5 years old and even when fully charged shows 12.6v?

If you do buy another I would get a decent one and fit it rather than use as a backup.
At 5 years the engine battery will be getting a bit tired.
You could then use the old one as a backup when topping up the new one.....and even a new one will need maintaining over winter

 

[Lenny HB]

Thanks for the feed back.
I’ve got no hook up where it’s kept so no options to charge. It has solar but only charges the hab batteries.

I think the best option might be to buy a cheap one as pappa john suggested. I’m really not good with electrics!

The current battery is about 5 years old and even when fully charged shows 12.6v? Is this correct or should it be higher? If it should be higher should I buy a better one to use and keep the old a spare?

Thanks again

Should be over 12.7, a good battery after charging and left to stand for a couple of hours will be 12.9 to 13v and still up at 12.8 the next day.

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[Jimbohorlicks]

Hi All
My MH is in storage but the cab battery is getting low showing 12.2 volts. Ideally I would take it out for a run but I’m still working and have stuff on the next few weekends.




Plan will be to have a battery master fitted in the new year?

Thanks

Fit it now, may save your battery

 

[AG 2602]

If you do buy another I would get a decent one and fit it rather than use as a backup.
At 5 years the engine battery will be getting a bit tired.
You could then use the old one as a backup when topping up the new one.....and even a new one will need maintaining over winter

Makes sense how much do I need to spend to get something decent? Bearing in mind I’ll keep the old one and rotate I’m not sure I want to invest in lithium?

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

 

[AG 2602]

Fit it now, may save your battery

I would love to but it’s more of a time thing to organise. Maybe I’ll check to see if I can get a mobile fitter to come round and take a look.
Thanks

 

[gus-lopez]

It has solar but only charges the hab batteries.

just run a temporary wire from the hab battery to the engine to helpkeep it charged

 

[AG 2602]

just run a temporary wire from the hab battery to the engine to helpkeep it charged

Ha ha I sell stuff I’m not mechanically minded and I would probably blow the thing up!!

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[autorouter]

Ha ha I sell stuff I’m not mechanically minded and I would probably blow the thing up!!

It's a possible solution when it's in storage. You need a fuse in the wire, a big one like 30A will be OK. Connecting the two batteries is not a big deal, it's what normally happens when the engine is running, so that both batteries are charged from the alternator.

There's two possible problems to avoid. Disconnect the link before starting the engine. The starter motor takes a very big current, you don't want the leisure battery connected while it's doing that. The other thing to avoid is having the link in place, using the leisure battery until it's flat, and not being able to start the engine.

A BatteryMaster is basically just a link like that, with some electronic protection to avoid those two scenarios.

 

[stevewagner]

Makes sense how much do I need to spend to get something decent? Bearing in mind I’ll keep the old one and rotate I’m not sure I want to invest in lithium?

Any recommendations would be appreciated.

You don’t want a lithium battery for the cab

 

[AG 2602]

You don’t want a lithium battery for the cab

There seems to be a massive difference in prices would a cheaper lithium battery be better than a the best standard battery? Not really wanting to spend a massive amount but at the same time obviously want something that is going to perform.

Thanks

 

[mitzimad]

Thanks for the feed back.
I’ve got no hook up where it’s kept so no options to charge. It has solar but only charges the hab batteries.

I think the best option might be to buy a cheap one as pappa john suggested. I’m really not good with electrics!

The current battery is about 5 years old and even when fully charged shows 12.6v? Is this correct or should it be higher? If it should be higher should I buy a better one to use and keep the old a spare?

Thanks again

i would use lenny's solution just need a cable from had to van battery and solar will keep both up wrap the wire through the steering wheel to remind you not to start the van you could use croc clips to make it easier

 

[AG 2602]

You don’t want a lithium battery for the cab

Sorry Steve misread your post thought you were asking a question .
Youre saying I don't want a lithium battery for cab? Thanks

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[stevewagner]

Sorry Steve misread your post thought you were asking a question .
Youre saying I don't want a lithium battery for cab? Thanks

No worries- hope you get it all sorted