General Ducata Battery discharge problem

[ivisonm]

I have just bought a 1990 Fiat Ducata campervan (chausson acapulco 57) and are having t5rouble with the battery (both) not keeping a charge or discharging.

After fully charging the batterys I ensure that everything is switched off. After a day both batteries are completely dead.

I've taken it to an auto electrician who can't find any drain on the batteries.

Any ideas?

Making me regret buying the thing now...

 

[T14086]

Well either both batteries are faulty or you have a drain,cant be anything else.

 

[wayfarer]

An easy and basic way to check for a drain is to charge battery(s) and then in a dark invoirnment disconnect one of the leads and stroke the battery pole with it. if you see sparks you have a drain, an open switch or a leak to earth, if not your batterys are goosed. you will have to replace them.

 

[T14086]

Not the best method as you could damage components plus there will always be a draw from immobiliser,power relay,clock etc.
Use a ammeter in line with the battery,much safer.

 

[wayfarer]

Not from the house battery.

 

[wallybrain]

I have the same problem with a rollerteam motorhome, I bought a solar panel problem solved..the drain on mine is on the front battery but it drags the rear down as it goes the solar panel I have charges both on a split charger/controller but you dont need a big thing to just keep the front topped up I use mine to charge the batts when staying off hookup.

 

[OilBurner]

To test if the fault is with the batteries or the vehicle, fully charge the batteries and leave them disconnected for your problem/test period. If they are drained when you return, the problem is with the batteries; if they are fully charged when you return, the problem is with the vehicle.

If the problem is with the vehicle then reconnect the batteries and remove *all* the fuses. If you still have a drain then the problem is most likely caused by an alternator failure (not that unusual on these vehicles when they reach this age) and is solved by buying a replacement alternator.

If the drain is not through the alternator then take your multimeter and test across the fuse box terminals, one at a time, for excessive current draw. When you find the problem fuse you will need to trace through the circuit, though I'd suggest that you start by checking (i.e. disconnecting) individual components on that circuit. Note that the fuse for clock/radio will always show a constant drain of a few milliamps, the one that covers the interior lights somewhat higher if you test with the doors open!

Good luck.