How many volts should habitation batteries read.

[DL42846]

Just drove 105 kilometers and my two habitation batteries are only registering 12.20 volt. Normally they would be up around 13.5 v. They are newish GEL batteries. Checked fuses and all ok. Engine battery is showing 13.7 v. Any suggestions?

 

[pappajohn]

Should be at least 12.6v up to 13.7v if split charge is working and engine JUST turned off.
It would appear your split charge isn't working.
12.2v is technically flat.

 

[Lenny HB]

After charging my Gels normally set at around 13.2v.
As the starter battery is OK the alternator must be working, check the split charge relay and fuses, also the main hab battery fuse. Often a fuse by the starter battery that feeds the split charge relay either 25 or 50 amp.

 

[Burgo]

Print tbis out and keep it in your logbook

 

[SomeoneElse]

As said above alternator to engine battery all OK, but charging current not reaching the leisure batteries. Measure the voltages of both batteries (engine and leisure) with the engine running to confirm. Then try to trace the higher charging voltage to the leisure battery to find the location of the problem.

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[Pausim]

If your motorhome has a smart alternator it might just be that the the alternator charging voltage is dropping off because the engine battery is fully charged. I know my 2015 Mercedes base vehicle had a smart alternator but I think Fiat might not. I fitted a battery2battery charger to overcome the problem.

I am also wondering whether in future Euro6D Fiats will have smart alternators to meet the new test standard.

 

[DL42846]

As said above alternator to engine battery all OK, but charging current not reaching the leisure batteries. Measure the voltages of both batteries (engine and leisure) with the engine running to confirm. Then try to trace the higher charging voltage to the leisure battery to find the location of the problem.

Many thanks, I will check it out when we get back to the MH, I'm drowning our sorrows and having a nice lunch to cheer myself up

 

[Camping Gaza]

Many thanks, I will check it out when we get back to the MH, I'm drowning our sorrows and having a nice lunch to cheer myself up

After that lot, are you sure it's not your toilet cassette flush water pump draining your batteries?

And what's wrong with a cheese and pickle sandwich and a packet of crisps? pray tell.

 

[steve 6644]

On our maiden flight in our new to us van back in April, we got to site with both new batteries flat after a 7 hour drive. The local van tech guy that was sorting out a different problem at the time subsequently drop tested them and explained that we had had the fridge on auto (as you do) and that it was drawing 16A while driving but only 5A through cabling at present. He suggested a split charge upgrade as batteries would not be full after a drive to destination.
I had not the slightest idea what he was talking about and was just releived it wasn't anything serious, apparantly.

Could this be the same problem you have??

These same batteries are now both dead by the way.

 

[DL42846]

Ok. Just got back to the MH and the batteries are showing a charge of 12.7 volt which must have been charged from the solar panel. And the engine battery is also showing 12.7 volts. So I'm asking myself why was the habitation batteries only showing 12.2 volts when we arrived after having driven 105 kilometers which took us about an hour.

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[Camping Gaza]

1 hour is not very long to charge a large capacity battery bank, perhaps your original charge state was so low when you set off.

you should observe the charge state often from now on and check they hold a charge. I suspect you may find them not holding. If that is the case they may be dead now. only fix is replace if that is the case

Would suggest if possible to charge themoff solar if possible with hook up or a decent 3 stage smart charger if you have one available for at least 48 hours. These chargers usually have a maintenance mode and can in some cases resurrect potentially damaged batteries.

 

[DL42846]

1 hour is not very long to charge a large capacity battery bank, perhaps your original charge state was so low when you set off.

you should observe the charge state often from now on and check they hold a charge. I suspect you may find them not holding. If that is the case they may be dead now. only fix is replace if that is the case

Would suggest if possible to charge then off solar if possible with hook up or a decent 3 stage smart charger if you have one available for at least 48 hours. These charges have a maintenance mode and can in some cases resurrect potentially damaged batteries.

The batteries are only a few months old. We had a long drive and haven't used much battery power. They are now showing 12.7 volt when we went back to the MH after lunch which was charged by the solar panel. We seem to have power for tonight. Tomorrow we have a long run, about 4 hours so will see what happens then.

 

[Ivory55]

I know for us a battery to battery charger works a lot better then a split charge

 

[DavidG58]

When you start the engine check the voltage then

Our controller also shows how many amps being put in, with engine running we have 14V and initially over 20A

 

[DL42846]

Think I have sorted it out. In my electric cupboard for the vans electrics I have found a switch. When I flicked the switch to the other positions, when I now run the engine it appears to be charging the habitation batteries. I won't mention any name's here, but she has been with me for over 30 years. At the beginning of last week someone filled the cupboard with a load of clothes and a jacket. I think the switch position may have been moved. I did empty the cupboard as soon as I saw all the stuff in there but didn't notice the switch. I'm guessing that may be the charging switch from the engine. In which case my habitation batteries have only been charged from the solar panel for the week. Considering its been raining and cloudy all week the batteries haven't done too bad.

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[pappajohn]

They are now showing 12.7 volt when we went back to the MH after lunch which was charged by the solar panel.

That is the solar charge that's showing, not the battery voltage.
See what they read now there is no sun.

Sorry, just seen the above post.
There still should be no need to switch anything to get charge from the engine, it's all done by smoke and mirrors when the engine is started and stops charging when the engine stops........unless some clowns fitted an isolator switch.