Electric hook ups (1 Viewer)

[BILL 875]

Hi
A query re hook ups on camper stops, you plug in your cable and connect up put money in a prepaid meter when the money runs out and turn off can the cable still connected drain the leisure battery as mine are dead in the morning on site in Germany
Regards
Bill

 

[Just smiffy]

When you say dead, no power at all..? Could be the money running out has tripped a switch or blown a fuse...

 

[scotjimland]

can the cable still connected drain the leisure battery

Most definitely No

if your battery is dead it was either a) not fully charged, b) you drained it, c) it's kaput

most likely c)

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[BILL 875]

There are 2 leisure batteries problem 1charged batteries on site drove 3 hrs in sun arrived at stop L B's very low showing charging from alt on panel, charged up by mains, next day the same driving plugged in on site charged for 8 hrs went to bed every thing turned off, far this morning now plugged into mains and charging ok the leisure batteries are 18 months old as new motor home it does look like batteries
Bill

 

[tacr2man]

There are 2 leisure batteries problem 1charged batteries on site drove 3 hrs in sun arrived at stop L B's very low showing charging from alt on panel, charged up by mains, next day the same driving plugged in on site charged for 8 hrs went to bed every thing turned off, far this morning now plugged into mains and charging ok the leisure batteries are 18 months old as new motor home it does look like batteries
Bill

You need to charge batteries then disconnect , allow an hour and then take reading , if connected to mains , charger , engine running , or solar, reading is pretty much useless.

 

[BILL 875]

Okay will do that but I'll take the fuse out of the solar reg to stop that charging when checking although the solar regulater is showing fully charged but L B's can't be charged after 2hrs can they?.

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[Lenny HB]

Sounds like the batteries have had it, if the van was bought from dealer stock the batteries could have left discharged for a time which will shorten their life, or if they are AGM's probably done well lasting 18 months.

Need to separate the batteries then test each one.

Best way of testing a leisure battery is to fully charge it, let it rest for an hour then & check the voltage:-

1) Place a load on it of say 5 amps (can do this in the van by turning on lights etc.).

2) Leave it with the load for a time that equates to 25% of battery capacity (100A/H battery it would be 5 amps for 5 hours).

3) Turn the load off let the battery settle for ½-1 hour measure the voltage, the battery will now be @ 75% state of charge.

4) Repeat 3, battery will now be @ 50% state of charge.

5) Repeat 3, battery will now be @ 25% state of charge. - not recommended to take a wet cell (standard battery) below 50% too often.

 

[autorouter]

3) Turn the load off let the battery settle for ½-1 hour measure the voltage, the battery will now be @ 75% state of charge.

This is how to test a brand new battery. If it's deteriorated and has a reduced capacity, it's a bit different.

3) Turn the load off let the battery settle for ½-1 hour measure the voltage. Use the table below to find the % discharge. A new battery will now be @ 75% state of charge, but a used battery could be maybe @ 60% state of charge, and a bad battery could be @ 30%.

Similar for steps 4 and 6 (what happened to 5?)

 

[Lenny HB]

Similar for steps 4 and 6 (what happened to 5?)

I can't count, edited.
I've posted that loads of time me or anyone else has never picked up on it before.

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[Reallyretired]

If its a new purchase from a dealer then the batteries could be older than the motorhome. When I bought mine the vehicle battery failed after a short time and when I looked at it it was badged as Fiat (in a Mercedes motorhome) so plainly not the battery that belonged to it. I believe some dealers remove the batteries from their forecourt stock and so it may be pot luck on what goes back in.

 

[sueandjohn]

Hi
A query re hook ups on camper stops, you plug in your cable and connect up put money in a prepaid meter when the money runs out and turn off can the cable still connected drain the leisure battery as mine are dead in the morning on site in Germany
Regards
Bill

Hi bill . John says once the power has turned off it’s not connected and can’t drain the battery
Regards sue

 

[autorouter]

It's most likely to be a bad battery, but a charger fault can drain a battery.

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[MitchandJenny]

Did you switch off the Media ??
I have left it on overnight and woke up to nearly dead batteries ! !
Mitch.

 

[BILL 875]

Turned all 12 v off at bedtime only left switch on so mains would charge till about 3am at 8.39 switched on 12v L B's would not even turn water pump back on mains all ok again will stay on 240v when overnighting to get back to Uk.
Bill

 

[Lenny HB]

As you give 2 batteries have you separated then to check it is not one faulty one dragging the other one down?

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[two]

To answer your question, EHU will not drain your batteries.
I suspect that both are knackered and need replacing.

 

[BILL 875]

I have borrowed a multi meter, tested one battery o.oo v tested other battery 10.5 v put best battery on charge for 2hrs went up to 11.6v and straight down to 9.5v so I assume from that both batteries are shot is the conclusion.
Many thanks for all the replies.
Bill

 

[BILL 875]

Add to the above I did disconnect the worst battery when testing.
Bill

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[BILL 875]

Update two new batteries fitted on friday as well shot after a full nights charging 1 batt 5.7v the other 7 .5v all charging circuits were ok so just shot. only 20 months old so claiming on warranty.
Bill

 

[sueandjohn]

Update two new batteries fitted on friday as well shot after a full nights charging 1 batt 5.7v the other 7 .5v all charging circuits were ok so just shot. only 20 months old so claiming on warranty.
Bill

Glad you got sorted Bill , expect to last more than that