Leisure Battery Dead??
Discussion
Just popped out to the caravan and the battery is showing on the panel by the door as at 0v and disconnected. The battery charger circuit is on and it always plugged into the mains, mainly to keep a fan heater on frost protection.
This seems very odd. I would have thought a dead battery would take a charge but the minute the mains disconnects it then runs instantly flat. I am looking at needing a new leisure battery :-(
This seems very odd. I would have thought a dead battery would take a charge but the minute the mains disconnects it then runs instantly flat. I am looking at needing a new leisure battery :-(
Wacky Racer said:
How old is the battery?
Do your 12v lights work and stay bright for ten minutes or so.
Just replace our motorhome one after six years, was told this is about the normal lifespan.
Its only a 70ah, and less then three years old. Its was the one provided by the dealer when I got it. I have managed 5 days without mains on it before but right now is not the ideal time to need a new battery!Do your 12v lights work and stay bright for ten minutes or so.
Just replace our motorhome one after six years, was told this is about the normal lifespan.
Edit: They go out instantly!
Edited by chasingracecars on Saturday 17th February 22:25
Just been out and the battery when on charge is showing 6.7v thats not too good!
I have brought the battery in and am charging it on my car battery charger and its charging at 15v currently and the charger isn't showing any battery faults and the green bubble is showing on the battery.
Hopefully the battery just ran soo flat at one point when I it unplugged that it flattened it beyond the built in chargers ability. Hopefully once its charged I will it will take charge from the caravan charger.
Don't really want to have to buy another charger for the caravan either.
I have brought the battery in and am charging it on my car battery charger and its charging at 15v currently and the charger isn't showing any battery faults and the green bubble is showing on the battery.
Hopefully the battery just ran soo flat at one point when I it unplugged that it flattened it beyond the built in chargers ability. Hopefully once its charged I will it will take charge from the caravan charger.
Don't really want to have to buy another charger for the caravan either.
bristolracer said:
Battery may have got too cold.
Try charging it /keeping it inside for a while
I hope not I have been away in colder temperatures then we have had. The caravan is plugged in to run a fan heater to keep the van above 0 through winter. Try charging it /keeping it inside for a while
It’s on charge, once the charger says it’s done I will stick it back in and see if it takes charge from the caravans on board charger.
Wacky Racer said:
Let us know how you get on 
Update: Battery still on charge!!! nearly 8 hours now!Caravan is on the drive/muddy drive so once charged will stick wellies on and refit. Check battery voltage then switch on 12v system check voltage again, then finally connect back to the mains and see if the charge voltage is higher then it was this morning.
OK, So got up this morning and the battery was still on charge!!! After a full 24 hours the charger finally finished charging.
Voltage during charge at 9am - 14.6v
Voltage after charging finished and battery standalone - 13.6v
Voltage when battery connected to caravan and 12v circuit running - 13.6v
Voltage when connected to mains and battery charging circuit enabled - 14.6v
Therefor it looks like I made a mistake with connecting the electrics. There is a panel above the door that selects power and shows levels etc. Its a bit useless really. I have already re-wired one of the lights that were controlled by this panel so the main caravan lights are on a conventional light switch by the door. What I am now thinking of doing it overriding the mains selected button. It appears as if this panel is switched off when mains is disconnected. It would be more useful if it would self detect, 12v car 1st Choice, Mains hookup 2nd Choice, 12v Circuit 3rd choice. As in preference order as the car would never be connected unless it was about to be towed, Mains hookup as if its there use it, then the onboard battery if neither of the other two area available.
On the upside I have the circuit diagram for this system. Any bods out there whom can give me a clue as to what I need to do? I think its about replacing Relays 2 and 3 with a different relay to auto-switch. I can't upload the whole drawing but I think what is needed is shown here.
Thanks.
Voltage during charge at 9am - 14.6v
Voltage after charging finished and battery standalone - 13.6v
Voltage when battery connected to caravan and 12v circuit running - 13.6v
Voltage when connected to mains and battery charging circuit enabled - 14.6v
Therefor it looks like I made a mistake with connecting the electrics. There is a panel above the door that selects power and shows levels etc. Its a bit useless really. I have already re-wired one of the lights that were controlled by this panel so the main caravan lights are on a conventional light switch by the door. What I am now thinking of doing it overriding the mains selected button. It appears as if this panel is switched off when mains is disconnected. It would be more useful if it would self detect, 12v car 1st Choice, Mains hookup 2nd Choice, 12v Circuit 3rd choice. As in preference order as the car would never be connected unless it was about to be towed, Mains hookup as if its there use it, then the onboard battery if neither of the other two area available.
On the upside I have the circuit diagram for this system. Any bods out there whom can give me a clue as to what I need to do? I think its about replacing Relays 2 and 3 with a different relay to auto-switch. I can't upload the whole drawing but I think what is needed is shown here.
Thanks.
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