My battery..... (1 Viewer)

[The Dotties]

just checked the vehicle battery on a Ducato, and got the following readings. This is after coming back from Taunton 36 hrs ago, after which they were fully charged.
If there is no problem according to experts on here, then goody but if the battery needs changing how do I go about it, with all the extra gubbins on the positive side of the battery.

I am also going to need to check the electrolyte so that positive extra needs to come off. How?

Cheers
Geoff.

 

[andy63]

No expert but that reading seems like it could be OK to me... Van has sat 36 hrs since its been driven and there will be a small load on the battery all time.. and temp will play a part ...see what others say..
As for changing the battery... disconnect the negative ...then the positive terminal with all the wiring and fuses incorporated on the plate..
If you think it could be an issue loosing power whilst changing batteries you could rig up a temporary suitable supply to the disconnected leads but make sure they are suitably insulated while doing the job...
Andy.

 

[Techno]

http://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/x250-cab-battery-change-in-pictures.78883/

I think you will find the battery to be a sealed unit.

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[FJmike]

http://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/x250-cab-battery-change-in-pictures.78883/

I think you will find the battery to be a sealed unit.

Doesn't look like a sealed battery in the photo

 

[Techno]

Its a cunning ploy

 

[The Dotties]

Thanks to both Andys'

I will check the voltage again over the weekend.
It's on a sargeant 5000, and the display on the control panel is the same as the mm
So not too disruptive.
G

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[Techno]

Andy is correct that there may still be a load on the battery despite ignition being off
A full battery disconnected would read 12.6-12.7

 

[Derbyshire wanderer]

It's as it should be as far as the voltage reads and everything connected
What made you check it?

 

[PhilandMena]

Andy has got it nailed. I disconnected mine yesterday to top up the cells with distilled water. I engaged the kill switch first then disconnected the terminals as per Andy's photo's when I reconnected the radio worked without asking for a code, so chuffed to bit's. I would expect a little higher than 12.45 but you may have a small load on it. i.e. alarm or something else.

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[Techno]

Andy has got it nailed. I disconnected mine yesterday to top up the cells with distilled water. I engaged the kill switch first then disconnected the terminals as per Andy's photo's when I reconnected the radio worked without asking for a code, so chuffed to bit's. I would expect a little higher than 12.45 but you may have a small load on it. i.e. alarm or something else.

So yours it clearly toppable My original Fiat battery was not despite the appearance of cell caps

 

[PhilandMena]

Yes! looks identicle to the one in your picture. Original from Fiat and still going strong. First time i have topped it up in 5.1/2 years.

 

[andy63]

Thanks to both Andys'

I will check the voltage again over the weekend.
It's on a sargeant 5000, and the display on the control panel is the same as the mm
So not too disruptive.
G

I'm confused ..not hard to do I know, you are on about your vehicle start battery. ..
How is that tied in with the Sargent ???
Ie can you see the vehicle battery and the leisure battery voltages on the Sargent panel...??
Andy

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[PhilandMena]

Yes ! you can

 

[Techno]

A close up of the caps on my original Fiat battery
They are only designed to tighten but not undo

 

[PhilandMena]

Well! I've never seen that before. My Autotrail is a 2.3 2011 x 250. Perhaps Fiat changed there battery supplier !!

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[Techno]

Well! I've never seen that before. My Autotrail is a 2.3 2011 x 250. Perhaps Fiat changed there battery supplier !!

Mine was 2008

 

[Stealaway]

It all seems good but treat it as standard battery. You can just see the 10mm clamp nut sticking out the side of the connection plate, undo that.
You might have to remove the additional non standard fused connection as well.

 

[Emmit]

View attachment 137510 View attachment 137557 just checked the vehicle battery on a Ducato, and got the following readings. This is after coming back from Taunton 36 hrs ago, after which they were fully charged.
If there is no problem according to experts on here, then goody but if the battery needs changing how do I go about it, with all the extra gubbins on the positive side of the battery.

I am also going to need to check the electrolyte so that positive extra needs to come off. How?

Cheers
Geoff.

Regarding getting + terminal off.
You can see, sticking out (and at right angles to the + post) a small nut.
Slacken that nut and the whole 'gubbins' will come off in one go.

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[Techno]

Regarding getting + terminal off.
You can see, sticking out (and at right angles to the + post) a small nut.
Slacken that nut and the whole 'gubbins' will come off in one go.

No it won't read my guide Oh Please!

 

[Techno]

Don't forget the doobries! I sometimes wonder why I bother

 

[Techno]

Said with a smile of course

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[The Dotties]

I'm confused ..not hard to do I know, you are on about your vehicle start battery. ..
How is that tied in with the Sargent ???
Ie can you see the vehicle battery and the leisure battery voltages on the Sargent panel...??
Andy

Yes, it is the start battery I'm referring to. The Sargeant display panel shows the voltage for both battery banks separately. It also show discharge and available amps on the leisure side. It also looks after the charging for me on running and ehu via "smart charging" . Sounds as if I know what I'm talking about. @clueless.com should be my mail address .

 

[The Dotties]

It's as it should be as far as the voltage reads and everything connected
What made you check it?

Age mainly. Dottie is 5 years old and I got to wondering. And @Jaws showed me how to use the mm at Lincoln

 

[The Dotties]

Don't forget the doobries! I sometimes wonder why I bother

Because if you didn't bother a hell of a lot of us would be sunk!!

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[The Dotties]

Andy is correct that there may still be a load on the battery despite ignition being off
A full battery disconnected would read 12.6-12.7

The only things that could be connected are the strikeback and non start, and I'm waiting for @eddievanbitz to get back to me to tell me if they are on start or leisure batteries. The dab radio is separately switched.

What is the lowest reading acceptable?

 

[Munchie]

Just had growler fitted. They are on start battery!

 

[Techno]

Probably still start at 12 volts but that is flat and a serious condition to be in

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[Techno]

Probably best in your circumstance is to fit @eddievanbitz battery master unit

 

[The Dotties]

Probably best in your circumstance is to fit @eddievanbitz battery master unit

Does the Sargeant not do the same job?

 

[Techno]

Does the Sargeant not do the same job?

Probably but I doubt it does if not on hook up

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