Dead battery and loose wire Fiat Ducatto

[Sorzar]

I'm not with the hubby he's gone to "winterise" the motorhome, and take some measurements for things but its dead - we have a solar panel trickle feeding the battery. Looking at the battery he's saying this wire is loose, should it be obvious to us newbies where this should be connected? Youtube hasn't helped and he's called me approx 25 times about it. You guys are my last hope. If it all looks ok, then maybe battery is dead and we might need to jump start it??

Thanks in advance

 

[DaveFromBarrow]

Is it possible that wire connected something the previous owner removed and disconnected? As for the battery, we had similar not long after buying ours, wouldn’t start despite solar feed. Battery was done for and a new one sorted the problem.

d

 

[Masman]

Don't know what the wire is,But don't think it would stop van from starting. Jump start and give it a run if you can.Is the solar trickle only charging the habitation battery ?.

 

[Lenny HB]

Modern vehicles they fit standard wiring looms to account for all options, you will find loads of plugs around the vehicle not connected to anything.

If the battery has not been on charge from the mains or solar it will last about 3 maybe 4 weeks before being too flat to start the engine.
He needs to check the solar was actually giving the battery a charge.

 

[Ingwe]

We've got one of those loose connectors in the battery space. I was told by the guy who fitted our battery master that it was probably for heated seats if fitted. So possibly, nothing to do with the flat battery.
However, you say you have solar power. Are you sure that it's filling the vehicle battery and not only the leisure battery?
In our van (a 2012 Bailey) if on hook up only the leisure battery is charged. Some solar panels may also only be connected to the leisure battery leading to your vehicle battery not being charged.
If the latter, or on hook up when only the leisure battery is charged, fitting a Battery Master will sort it.

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[Stealaway]

You are likely to have two batteries The solar panel is probably only charging your domestic battery. You need to install a method of charging the starter battery.
I don't think those loose leads are relevant

 

[DaveFromBarrow]

Just FYI our solar does charge both leisure and vehicle batteries and the issue with the vehicle battery was simply a terminally ill battery.

ta

d

 

[Sorzar]

Thanks all for your responses - we suspect just a flat battery but heading upto the lock up on Wednesday to sort to charge the battery and hope that dies the trick! With the central locking not working, it threw up another youtube search for how to lock your passenger door with no lock or central locking! Amazing what youtube and good old public can help with these days! Thanks again all

 

[Lenny HB]

If the central locking is not working I would say the battery has well and truly had it. Best to replace before it lets you down again.

 

[63720]

Your solar may not be enough this time of the year.

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[Deneb]

The cable is an optional accessory cable. It seems to be fitted by Fiat as standard on many vehicles intended for motorhome conversion and is I believe intended to supply an additional vehicle battery, but as conversions normally have a separate habitation battery system, it isn't often used.

In other words, ignore it

 

[mitzimad]

best to leave it disconnected until you can sort out how to charge or youll have another battery ruined

 

[Campervan_man]

Buy yourself something like this :-
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/710-...0001&campid=5338547443&icep_item=141700613839

You can use it to boost a car or van that you have.

I have one. I also have dual charge solar chargers fitted to My work van and motorhome. The dual charger charges both engine and leisure battery.

You can charge it up once a month using 240V in your house and take it to the storage compound to jump start your motorhome if it struggles or won't start.
The booster box also has a built in light and 12V points.
Well worth the investment.

 

[XxAnthxX]

Don’t worry about the ’spare’ bits in the battery box......Ducato‘s have them all over the place.

Firstly I’d have a look if your solar is connected to the starter battery.....you’ll get a good idea of how it’s been wired by looking at the wires coming from the solar controller....if there are connections for a second battery (starter) then check for inline fuses in the cable back to the starter battery.

It doesn’t sound like you have a battery master fitted, are your leisure batteries also flat?

If there is no connection to your starter battery from the solar, as already suggested fitting a battery master from eddievanbitz is probably the easiest way to maintain the starter battery from your leisure battery which in turn will be maintained by the solar.

Take a multi meter with you when you go and check what voltage you have at the leisure / starter battery to confirm that there is any solar output at all.

 

[Billy192]

I'm not with the hubby he's gone to "winterise" the motorhome, and take some measurements for things but its dead - we have a solar panel trickle feeding the battery. Looking at the battery he's saying this wire is loose, should it be obvious to us newbies where this should be connected? Youtube hasn't helped and he's called me approx 25 times about it. You guys are my last hope. If it all looks ok, then maybe battery is dead and we might need to jump start it??

Thanks in advance

I have a 2017 Peugeot Boxer and I have the exact thing in my batt box not sure what it is. Currently I have a 30w solar panel sitting on the dash in my front screen and connected directly to my starter bat it has kept it at 12.7/8 for the last 2 months. I also have Battery-Guard (£25 from amazon) with the app on my mobile this lnks to the batt and gives live sate of charge. I have 3 motorcycles each with one fitted.



Billy