Several newbie leisure battery questions

[Poppy and Hamish]

Hi, I have searched online and the forums, but haven’t found clarity on these questions. I am sure they are basic, but I am completely new to motorhoming. Was due for my first night away tonight, but rescheduled to next weekend when it isn’t going to be 35c! I didn’t think my figuring out everything from scratch potential would be at it’s optimum in this heat!

Ok, so I understand that the solar panel will charge both the leisure and vehicle batteries. When I visit a site and I am on EHU, or indeed at home for that matter, does this also charge the leisure battery?

There is also a spare leisure battery placed behind the passenger seat, that is not connected to anything. I understand the previous owners had this as a spare. I have a couple of questions about this. Is this a safe way to travel with a battery? The gap is small, and it fits snugly in there, without being too tight a space. (It’s just a regular battery, not lithium). Should I purchase some sort of storage box for it? Worried about leaks etc, it moving in an accident.

Also, I imagine this needs to be charged and used regularly. Is this just a case of rotating it with the other battery periodically to ensure that both are used? If so, what would be a suitable schedule? Perhaps once per month?

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

On your swift,the EHU should charge up your leisure battery but may not charge up the starter battery..For you spare battery ,its best to check if its still ok ,charge wise. Depending where your main leisure battery is you can also link up the spare battery which will give you ,possibly double off-grid power ( depends what rating the battery is) and also allow it to charge up via your solar and or EHU.
Just make sure the battery is strapped down whilst your travelling ,so it doesn't fly about if you have a bump.
If you advise what Swift mhome you have someone can advise the connecting up the batteries.

 

[Poppy and Hamish]

Thanks so much for your reply, that's really helpful. Linking up/strapping in sounds like a great idea and will save faffing around switching batteries over I guess.

I have a Swift Lifestyle 624.

 

[Ingwe]

Check that the starter battery is charged when on EHU. In our van, only the leisure battery is charged when on EHU and, I understand, this is common on British made motorhomes. We found this to our cost until we fitted a Battery Master since when we’ve never suffered a flat vehicle battery.
The Battery Master works by diverting ‘surplus’ current from the leisure battery to the vehicle battery and never the other way round. A diode prevents this. So as long as your leisure battery is getting a charge (from EHU or solar) your cab battery is kept charged. The Battery is simple to fit and once fitted, you basically forget about it. It requires no maintenance. Best £65 ever spent. Available at the MHF shop at a discount to members.

 

[Tombola]

Ok, so I understand that the solar panel will charge both the leisure and vehicle batteries. When I visit a site and I am on EHU, or indeed at home for that matter, does this also charge the leisure battery?

If you get yourself a cheap multimeter, before you plug in check the voltage across the terminals of the vehicle battery, then when you plug ehu in, it will rise, then its charging.

Solar to charge the vehicle aswell as leaisre needs to be a dual solar controller, you may or may not know if you have on eof these but the same method applies, switch if solar, test battery, switch on solar test battery again (in the sun)

if not then a battery master type device as mentioned above is recommended

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[GeoffnDee]

Do you know which model Sargent PSU you have as some have a smart charging feature built in that can charge both the leisure and starter batteries from whichever charging power source is in use.

 

[Poppy and Hamish]

Do you know which model Sargent PSU you have as some have a smart charging feature built in that can charge both the leisure and starter batteries from whichever charging power source is in use.

 

[Poppy and Hamish]

Hi, thanks for your reply. It's an EC400. I had to google what one of those was. That's how newbie I am I know so much more than I did a week ago when I first picked it up

 

[Tombola]

Hi, thanks for your reply. It's an EC400. I had to google what one of those was. That's how newbie I am I know so much more than I did a week ago when I first picked it up

thats what we are all here for.
Dont be worried about asking any questions

 

[Poppy and Hamish]

thats what we are all here for.
Dont be worried about asking any questions

Thanks, maybe one day I will be able to answer questions too! Very grateful for all the knowledge and help people here share

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Tombola]

as for the charging of your vehicle battery

On EC465 and EC460 PSU’s, the system incorporates a smart charge feature, which monitors both
leisure and vehicle batteries and automatically adjusts and directs the charger power (and solar power
if a solar panel is installed) to maintain the leisure and vehicle batteries at an optimal level.

Sargent EC400 System User Instructions | Manualzz

View online (12 pages) or download PDF (427 KB) Sargent EC400 System User Instructions • EC400 System PDF manual download and more Sargent online manuals

manualzz.com

 

[GeoffnDee]

The information regarding the smart charging feature , and how to use it , that your EC400 has , can be found in the Manuals for Motorhome Stuff that is in the Resources section that can be found on the top (blue) line on this page (It says Autotrail EC400 /450/500 but your Sargent EC400 unit will be the same in a Swift Motorhome)

 

[Poppy and Hamish]

The information regarding the smart charging feature , and how to use it , that your EC400 has , can be found in the Manuals for Motorhome Stuff that is in the Resources section that can be found on the top (blue) line on this page (It says Autotrail EC400 /450/500 but your Sargent EC400 unit will be the same in a Swift Motorhome)

That's so helpful thanks. I hadn't yet found the resources section, and wouldn't have known that specific one would apply to me even of I had, so that's spot on. Have saved it to my downloads for future reference.

 

[autorouter]

Sorry to complicate matters, but there might be a reason why the spare leisure battery is not hard-wired to the existing leisure battery. Do you know what type of battery they both are, are the labels visible? Different types of lead-acid battery (flooded, sealed, AGM, Gel, Carbon) have slightly different charging requirements for optimum life.