Hi everyone - we are newbies! We have an Auto Trail Apache 700 2018. We are in the outer Hebrides, amazing, gorgeous island. Anyway, have been plugged into the mains all week. Went to move the Motorhome today and the vehicle battery is completely dead. Our understanding was that if we are plugged into the mains all of our electrics would be powered from the leisure battery which would be charged by the mains hookup. So why is the vehicle battery flat? We haven’t done anything obvious to drain the battery. Help or suggestions needed please. Thank you.
Confusion reigns please help! (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter leeway35
- Start date
Solution
hi welcome, that really bad luck for you. dont know your motorhome system but would have thought that with a 2018 build the charger would have supported the charging of both batteries. i can only think that there is a switch that isolates the cab battery from the charger.
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Solution
It could be a dead cell in the starter battery, get a jump start and see if it recharges it,
But depending on its age ( 4 years is normal) it might need replacing,
But depending on its age ( 4 years is normal) it might need replacing,
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Riverbankannie
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Someone with same model may come along. However, in the meantime, you are correct that your habitation electrics will be powered from hanitation battery and charged by the mains you are plugged in to.
Charging the vehicle battery though is different. Some MHs have a switch on th3 charger or on the control panel to switch between batteries for charging, Some set ups have an additional device which charges both batteries called a Battery Master.
Some MHs only charge the vehicle battery when driving.
You need to look in your manual to see what you have.
Charging the vehicle battery though is different. Some MHs have a switch on th3 charger or on the control panel to switch between batteries for charging, Some set ups have an additional device which charges both batteries called a Battery Master.
Some MHs only charge the vehicle battery when driving.
You need to look in your manual to see what you have.
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if you have not already jump started the van, make sure you connect to the jump start points under the bonnet both on the far right as you look in ( assuming its a fiat ).
the airbag ecu in particular does not like spikes in power on extended periods of depleted battery. just a watch out.
the airbag ecu in particular does not like spikes in power on extended periods of depleted battery. just a watch out.
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We have jump started and got it going again. Kept it running for quite a while but absolutely flat still. We have a Sargent EC700 power supply unit. Control panel on photo. Current power settings on photo. Of course it could just be we need a new battery 
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tonka
LIFE MEMBER
The first picture shows you are using power from the engine battery and not the leisure. That could be why you flattened it.
Go to Sargent website and download the manual for the EC unit and control panel. My Autotrail 700 was 2012 so had the older system.
You also need to be aware of how the smart charge system works otherwise you may find the solar system does not charge both batteries unless set correctly.
Go to Sargent website and download the manual for the EC unit and control panel. My Autotrail 700 was 2012 so had the older system.
You also need to be aware of how the smart charge system works otherwise you may find the solar system does not charge both batteries unless set correctly.
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Thank you. We were told that by plugging into the mains and picking the V for vehicle this would charge the V battery do you know if this is correct.
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definitely looks like you are using the vehicle battery for power supply and the solar is charging the leisure battery.
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Thank you everyone for all your helpful comments, really appreciate it. We are on a steep learning curve!
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Hi, I can’t help you with your battery issue except to say, is there any fuses near the Sargent unit that may have blown?
Also how are you finding the campsites? I am coming across tomorrow for 3 or 4 weeks, are they busy, is there much Off grid camping going on ?
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Hi we are in North Uist at the moment - not a lot of wild camping going on here. There are a few spots we have come across for smaller vans - some ask for a donation/honesty box £10 per night. Harris had more wild camping going on. Definite feel here that being on a site is preferred. Sites we have stayed on are very good - toilet disposal, laundry, all very clean. sites pretty busy but are starting to empty out now. Have a great trip! We are on our way to Barra tomorrow
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Thanks, I don’t really want to wild camp much, if you have time could you let me know which sites you used and whether you could book or not, I had heard that most don’t take bookings.
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Isle of Harris we stayed at Seilebost School and Parc Niseaboist all run by the West Harris Trust (beautiful views, next to beaches). Uist we stayed at Balranald camp site next to the nature reserve. Great sites. These are popular sites and we pre booked.
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Hi everyone thanks again for the replies on my post last night. Just thought a few of you may be interested in an update! So, we jump started the MH this morning and got to the ferry terminal (almost) without drama. Driving onto ferry we stalled - look of horror on our faces and also the guys on the ferry as the tide was rising! - jump started again and yay MH + trailer in situ, phew. Arrive in Barra, get onto site, battery still dead as. However, we then disconnected the trailer and low and behold we have no issue with starting the MH!! V battery level on control panel all back to normal. We are now thinking it’s the trailer that drained the battery. We have never had this problem before towing this trailer on our MH. Any thoughts?
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Probably just dirty connections so get some silicone spray, not WD40 and spray and clean after you have tested with multimeter, now where on Barra are you going to get Silicone Spray and a multimeter on a sunday, no chance ! The wee frees will not let the shops open so you may have to wait until Monday unless the campsite owners don’t have anything to help with.
For the record just arrived at Laxdale camp site north of Stornaway for 2 nights, then move every 2 nights until we get to Barra on the 7th, Dee doesn’t know it yet but I have booked us in to the Castlebay Hotel so she can have a looong soak in a bath, because neither of us can do hand stands in our van
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What an adventure! Enjoy your trip, the islands are so beautiful, weather not so at the moment. Lucky Dee! 
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What connector are you using to trailer?
Are you also putting power to trailer (grey tow socket)?
Are you also putting power to trailer (grey tow socket)?
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Lenny HB
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- Oct 18, 2007
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It will also have a CANBUS bypass that could be another suspect.
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