Leisure Battery expectations??

[Romolo]

Hi All,

I purchased my campervan conversion. Zero history. Are leisure batteries not great is my question?

I installed a new 100ah leisure battery deep cycle.
I have split relay charging and a 100w solar panel it seems.

My question is that when I go into the Van the current charge on the solar controller is 0 Amps. I put the van to Van mode and the fridge kicks in which is the only appliance on the circuit. That and lights which are off at this time. and within 10 seconds it goes from full LEDS (PMS v3) to 80%. I switch off Van mode.
The solar charger kicks in and right not jumps up to 2A. I see the battery climb 14.1,.14.2 to 14.9v and then solar charge drops the amps and the LEDs are full again (1 red and 4 green). When it does drop from 100% to 80% it flickers between both LEDs after 5 seconds of being on.

It does this each time. I have had a replacement battery as I was unhappy with the results. It did arrive 50%+ charged etc... but the same behaviour with the new one.

I did some electrical work this weekend etc... so examined the connections and make sure everything was solid on the back of the PMS v3 etc.... All good.

I have a 2 way fridge installed as part of a previous professional installation I am advised. When I checked the model number from the manuals this fridge ranges from 1.5 to 1.9amps when in use. This is the only device on the system.

I have now installed DC sockets as of yesterday straight to the leisure but these are switched so no load apart from cable.

But this has been the behaviour each time hence why I asked for a replacement battery. I have not taken it out in anger yet as in not on a site etc... but this does seem like very odd rubbish behaviour based upon there only being a fridge in that range from the manual (and guessing which one as there are there are 3 in manual .. but this is best visual match).

Can some peeps please advise as I cannot believe the leisure battery would drop to 80% SOOOOOOO quickly.
And when we were working at the weekend on the van. No lights on.. lovely day... but taking clips off the batteries for safety whilst testing... the battery got to 50%. No load.

Please advise... new to this so I don't have a benchmark but think with these numbers there is no way this battery should do this so quickly.
Maybe this is because it is <100%... ok fair enough. But alarmed to see it get to 50% when NOTHING was on.

Many thanks in advance... ALL comments very much appreciated as I am in the dark when it comes to experience.

R

 

[Minxy]

Firstly I think you are reading your LEDS wrongly, when it starts at 100% then drops to 80% (assuming that's the next level down) it could be anywhere between 80% and 99% but obviously can't show it, similarly if the next one is 50% it could be between that and 79%. As the battery is was only 50% charged anyway you shouldn't be using it until it is 100% as you should never take lead acid (which is what I assume you have) below 50% charge anyway.

Before you do anything else, get the battery charged up to 100% and then try it all again.

 

[Lenny HB]

Sounds like the solar regulator has had it, 14.9v is too high for a flooded cell shouldn't go above 14.4 volts.

 

[Romolo]

Hi thanks Minxy Girl .

Correct.. I charged battery via Solar and got to 100% before I did anything at all. At the weekend when it dropped to 50% I immediatley got this charging with an interesting loop of cables lol....

I try it at 100% everytime.... NEVER at anything lower... so this battery is always 100% when I try.

 

[Riverbankannie]

It would also help to tell us more about your conversion, make model etc and about the 2 way fridge.

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[Romolo]

oh really Lenny HB .. new to this.

It does keep charging these batteries to 100% it says before switching on,. Sits at around 14v, 14,1v when 100%.

It does appear to charge them. If I go off the LEDs and the solar charger report on the battery. I do now have dc sockets which I can check on the voltage by switching on too. Thye are normally .2 volts behind the report on the solar charger panel.. but they are at some distance on cable and lesser grade.. so assuming that iswhy

R

 

[Richard n Ann]

Have you got a multimeter?

 

[tonyidle]

When you switch to Van what is operating the fridge? Gas or 12v?

 

[Lenny HB]

oh really Lenny HB .. new to this.

It does keep charging these batteries to 100% it says before switching on,. Sits at around 14v, 14,1v when 100%.

It does appear to charge them. If I go off the LEDs and the solar charger report on the battery. I do now have dc sockets which I can check on the voltage by switching on too. Thye are normally .2 volts behind the report on the solar charger panel.. but they are at some distance on cable and lesser grade.. so assuming that iswhy

R

Sounds like a single stage regulator well worth changing for a decent multi stage regulator that has, bulk charge, absorption phase & maintenance charge, your battery will last a lot longer and will get a proper charge. the Votronic duo MPP range are good regulators.

 

[Romolo]

Well the 14.1+ etc... all happens in about 10 seconds when I turn van mode off..
So I did not make it clear that when I test this all happens within 30 seconds max.

Fridge goes on.. it drops to 80%+ on LEDs and then when van turns off... its back up to 100% and no solar amp as battery is full I assume within 10 seconds ish after that.


Yes I do have a multimeter.. and now have volt checker in van separate to PMS and Solar.

R

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[Romolo]

Its a Ford Transit conversion.. cannot give details.

The fridge appears to be 2 way. EHU and Battery. Not seen it work on Gas.. and manual does not seem to support Gas.

Solar is CMG Solar Charger and what seems to be a 100Watt panel after checking some figures.. 20.1 V and 5 amps I have seen on the solar charger.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Is it a compressor fridge? Absorption fridges use a lot of power on 12v

 

[Romolo]

The new DC sockets which has Volt Display shows 12.9, 12 and 13.1 Volts when I turn them on.
But yes I can reconfirm with voltmeter and go straight off the Battery.

When Van goes on ... Fridge is the only item that should come on.. 3 pins were all EHU.. No inverter etc...
Blow heater is turned off..

The Van mode seems to only power fridge and lights... NO LIGHTS ON... just fridge when I switch to Van mode.

I will use those voltages to test.. many thanks.. 14 Volts I mention is straight off the CMS Solar Charger. But the new DC sockets now helps me to see at the battery voltage without having to get the multimeter out each time.

So... are we thinking change the solar charger? Seems to work I thought.

R

 

[Romolo]

Richard and Ann ... is there any easy way to find out as its all integral to the conversion?
I looked for labels etc... I could remove it to find out with quite some effort.. but .. if I need to then thats fine as I want this campervan experience to be as good as I can for what I paid and willing to pay.
It is our "do we like this?" experiment.. but already loving it.. but not done pure battery just yet.. only been out on EHU so far once.

R

 

[Richard n Ann]

It will make a noise when running if it's a compressor fridge, same as domestic fridges. Absorption fridges are silent.

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[Nasher]

Link here to PMS 3 manual - should help you understand the led display

https://www.olearymotorhomes.co.uk › ...PDF
Web results
Installation & User Instructions PMS3V/H - O'Leary Motorhomes

Also, as others have said, get a multimeter

 

[Romolo]

Yes it does make a noise like a usual kitchen fridge.. so sounds like compressor then?
R

 

[Romolo]

Ive got the pdf for wiring... I was going to wire into PMS.. but actually took a feed off where the leisure battery joins PMS and put my own fuse box in yesterday and did two runs for dc sockets.. switched.

Thanks

R

 

[Minxy]

Fridge goes on.. it drops to 80%+ on LEDs and then when van turns off... its back up to 100% and no solar amp as battery is full I assume within 10 seconds ish after that.

You are using the power so it can't stay at 100%, as soon as you stop it goes back up to 100% as I assume the solar is making up the small amount of power you've just taken out.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Yes it does make a noise like a usual kitchen fridge.. so sounds like compressor then?
R

Yes compressor then . I wonder if the voltage is dropping when it's running . If the cable to the fridge is too thin the voltage will drop. The battery level meter calculates charge on the voltage level

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[Romolo]

Yes I thought that the 80% LEDs meant I am <100%.. I get that... but when my battery was saying 50%, 60% and there was no load at all... and nothing used in van all day... I got shocked.
The cable I found coming out of for the fridge is like a flat black flex. But assuming at least 25 amps .. and the PMS is only a 25 amps system from when I checked. And with it being a 12volt fridge.. it does not any high grade does it?

Thanks everyone for the comments... really good for me..

 

[Richard n Ann]

I'd check the voltage at the battery level meter and at the battery with the multimeter. Should be the same.

 

[Romolo]

Based on what I have said... as in what I have on my circuit. The most extra I will add is some usb charging phones etc.. off the DC sockets installed.

But even if I did not... and just had Fridge on.. NO LIGHTS.. just daytime stuff.

This 100ah (without solar) should last the day or two would you say? And with solar topping up throughout sunny day for a couple of days possibly 3?

I have no idea on expectancy so unsure if it is doing good or not you see.

Thanks

 

[Richard n Ann]

Yes it should last a lot lot lot longer than your battery meter is showing. Something isn't right, my money is on wiring or bad connection.

 

[Richard n Ann]

When our 80ah battery is fully charged it takes a couple hours using things before it gets down to 12.6v which is 100%

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[Romolo]

Well I have checked the wire and can see its a high grade run from leisure battery to PMS.. ONLY just fits into terminals... but it does fit.. .boy does it fit.... little so and so to get back in after inspection etc...

I have checked wiring on other terminals for split relay and between starter and leisure etc... all under drivers seat. tightened terminals. checked fuses etc... All seems sound.

Same for behind the PMS system.. The only thing which I did note was this:

a) Flex wire for fridge... Looks the same as wiring to alternator for Starter. not a rounded cable etc.. a flat flex.
b) I wanted to replace my 2x fluorescent 8 watt light fitting (2 of them) and outside with LED strip. When I try to do that I am shorting out the circuit. As in NO Lights appear when I touch the new wires to test they were ok.
c) I put my voltmeter on it... just got 1... which is normally MORE volts than the current setting. However I tried 20v, 200v 500v LOL. nothing. Just 1. And this should be 12 volts
d) Did a continuity test on the light terminal in the fitting back to to PMS. Tried everything... could not get a signal on any EHU terminal for lights on MCB1, 2 and 3 I checked.. Or the lights terminal at the bottom.
Now my voltmeter might not be able to pick up as there is some cabling... BUT.. I have tested before on 30, 40 metre cat 5e cables before install.. and all ok.....

Does that give anyone any ideas? As I said.. very foxed to see no 12v supply at light fittings and led strips that I had shorting it... I tried the LED strips on my new fuse box that bypasses PMS... they work fine.

Hmmmm.. any ideas.

Thank you

R

 

[Romolo]

Richard and Ann

Please advise what you run on your 80ah to get it to go to 12.6volts after a couple of hours so I have a benchmark.

Thank you

R

 

[Richard n Ann]

Richard and Ann

Please advise what you run on your 80ah to get it to go to 12.6volts after a couple of hours so I have a benchmark.

Thank you

R

Typically 1.5 amps.
First job is sort your multimeter out, or get one that works

 

[Romolo]

my voltmeter works on 240 volts ac and works 12v dc on everywhere else apart from this light fitting.
I do have another voltmeter... but this voltmeter works off battery. On DC runs in the cab off Start and Leisure.... but NOT on this particular light fittings in main room.

I thought maybe this is different and they are designed for EHU.. but they run off battery and would only have 12v at that point.

I don't think its the volt meter.. but I do have another and will check
R

 

[Romolo]

So is that a fridge... and some usb charging?

R

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