Northern Auto Tech - ECU and Blue & Me Repairs

Technical Leisure battery

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Technical Leisure battery

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Kamperman

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Need some info and advice please. I'm not too good on electrics so hopefully some one can help me out. I have a 1998 1.9TD motorhome. I've replaced the main battery about 12 months ago and the leisure battery about 2 months ago. I've only used it once since June(the weather has not been conducive to going anywhere) and I've noticed that one of the two battery indicators I have mounted on the dashboard has gone right down from 12 to less than 8. I presume these measure voltage supply. By disconnecting I've established that the one down is the leisure battery.
Reading a bit about this is it correct that the leisure battery keeps the main battery topped up and if the vehicle is not used this is what happens. I start up every couple of days and run it til the engine is warm but clearly this is not enough. Should I be disconnecting both batteries when not in use or should I get a battery isolator.
 
With so little use you need to keep both batteries on trickle charge; you can get a very small cheap device to do this or you can use a couple of standard battery chargers.
There is probably something that is a continuous draw on the leisure battery eg a light but best to disconnect it anyway(either that or the battery is dud which is unlikely).
There is always a current draw on the main battery the keep the electronics alive.
Suggest taking the vehicle for regular run rather than just starting it so you can free up the brakes etc
Make sure you leave the handbrake off or it will seize in the on position....
 

Hi. I think they are completely separate the only thing they share is the alternator.

When I had my van I used to plug into the mains overnight every couple of months, this kept both batteries full.

As I understand it when you start up the alternator charges the engine battery first then charges the leisure battery.

I would guess by starting it up for a short period you would just replace the power you used to start it, so only the engine battery would get a charge.

If it’s going to stand for a long period you could just disconnect the leisure battery until you’re ready to use the van.
 
Your batteries will drain if left for extended periods. If the voltage drops right down then there is a good chance that they will not recover.

Your leisure battery does not keep your van battery voltage up (at least not on any van I have come across). You need to charge them, drive for a good 20 minutes or fit a solar panel.

If you have voltmeters on your dash, plug a 240 volt supply in and they should rise to between 13 and 14.5 volts (depending on their voltage beforehand). if the 8 volt leisure battery does not act like the van battery then it is knackered and you need a new one.
Also drive the van and ensure both voltages rise. If they do not, your Zig unit or relay is not working properly.
Most m/homes of that age only charge the leisure battery on 240 volt hookup. You would probably need to charge the van battery separately. There are a number of ways to charge both together. You can get stuff off ebay for less than £20 to do that.

Before you do anything, make sure both batteries are getting a charge in the first place (as describer above).
 
Brake discs rust, wheel bearings rust, etc etc when you leave the van parked for a long period. Then when you get it going, that rust turns to abrasive and chews through those components.

I suggest you need to find someone who can work out how the house battery is operating in YOUR vehicle, and plan on then using a trickle charger to keep it in condition.
 
maingate said:
Your batteries will drain if left for extended periods. If the voltage drops right down then there is a good chance that they will not recover.

Your leisure battery does not keep your van battery voltage up (at least not on any van I have come across). You need to charge them, drive for a good 20 minutes or fit a solar panel.

If you have voltmeters on your dash, plug a 240 volt supply in and they should rise to between 13 and 14.5 volts (depending on their voltage beforehand). if the 8 volt leisure battery does not act like the van battery then it is knackered and you need a new one.
Also drive the van and ensure both voltages rise. If they do not, your Zig unit or relay is not working properly.
Most m/homes of that age only charge the leisure battery on 240 volt hookup. You would probably need to charge the van battery separately. There are a number of ways to charge both together. You can get stuff off ebay for less than £20 to do that.

Before you do anything, make sure both batteries are getting a charge in the first place (as describer above).
Click to expand...
hi there, referance fitting a solar panel am i right in thinking this box (pictured) is where i run the wires from the solar panel to this box? via the control regulator?

hope you can help!

ERIhttp://tinypic.com/r/29nzfo2/6
 
Last edited:
ezzfiat said:
hi there, referance fitting a solar panel am i right in thinking this box (pictured) is where i run the wires from the solar panel to this box? via the control regulator?
Click to expand...
That box looks like it is some kind of solar regulator. Are you sure there is another solar regulator somewhere? And if so, is it wired correctly? How about a photo of what is in the box and of the regulator (if there is 'another' one)?
 
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