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Topic: Do i need a battery?

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corni

26/4/2017 at 8:25am
Location: Doncaster
Outfit: Peugeot Autocruise Starfire 2 berth

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Wife just asked me an nteresting question. If we only use hook up sites. Why do we need a battery?
why do i need a battery?

Opensauce

26/4/2017 at 8:48am
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The answer is you don't. Most transformer chargers have switch 3 stage or float. Switch to float & caravan can be used on ehu without battery. Obviously if you have mover or use caravan off site then battery required. Most foreign made caravans have only a transformer as standard with transformer/charger & battery as extra cost option.

DaveS1

26/4/2017 at 9:00am
Location: Hatfield Peverel Essex
Outfit: Ace Supreme Twinstar Disco 3

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Agree, you don't unless you have a power cut which is not uncommon on European sites.
In that case you will have no water, toilet flush or hot air heating .
Personally I prefer to use one but if you want to see whether or not it is worth spending a hundred pounds or so, simply turn off the EHU for a couple of hours and see how you get on.
DaveS1

corni

26/4/2017 at 9:06am
Location: Doncaster
Outfit: Peugeot Autocruise Starfire 2 berth

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Thanks for advice.
We,ve just had a week on site without a battery. Disconnected because it blew a cell.
We were going to buy one today.

retiredjohn

26/4/2017 at 3:57pm
Location: blyth northumberland
Outfit: xplore 422 se 2018 Vauxhall Grandland

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I'm no expert,but I understand it's best to have one,even a one on it's last legs,something to do with absorbing spikes in the EHU so as not to damage your electrics in the van.I'm sure someone will be along to make things a little clearer

-------------
Its like driving with with the hand brake on and a hole in the fuel tank

Colin21

26/4/2017 at 6:42pm
Location: East Herts
Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail

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Quote: Originally posted by retiredjohn on 26/4/2017
I'm no expert,but I understand it's best to have one,even a one on it's last legs,something to do with absorbing spikes in the EHU so as not to damage your electrics in the van.I'm sure someone will be along to make things a little clearer

Absolutely correct.

We normally only use sites with EHU, but personally I would never go without a battery, mainly in case of power cuts or charger failure. It is only a personal choice though.

-------------
Best Regards,
Colin

tango55

26/4/2017 at 8:02pm
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450

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The advice is to always connect a leisure battery in circuit to stabilise the current plus it's a protection to stop the disconnected battery terminals making contact which will lead to blowing the fuse. The charge output from the transformer is around 13.5 - 14 volts so if you have no battery to control the power feed it could cause damage to the charger especially on older caravans that don't have the latest electronics installed.
The principal is no different to having a mobile phone charger plugged in at and switched at the mains without the phone being connected.
If you need further information on this topic then this are 8 pages you can read which covers everyting you need to know.

Here

saxo1

26/4/2017 at 10:42pm
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I thought that modern caravans had transformers that supply power direct to the 12V system and a battery charger incorporated in the unit.
These units don't need a battery connected, the charger unit in my caravan won't output a voltage if a battery isn't connected it needs a voltage from the battery to activate the charge cycle so there is no possibility of shorting out the charger leads.
My caravan is a Burstner and UK vans may install cheap and cheerful options.
saxo1

tango55

27/4/2017 at 12:24am
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450

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Most modern caravans now have a motor mover fitted which functions via the aid of a 12 volt leisure battery. It appears that people will splash out the best part of a grand for a mover then render it useless due to the fact that they refuse to buy a battery at less than a 100 quid. Unbelievable!

Opensauce

27/4/2017 at 5:28am
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Read my post Tango. Most transformer/chargers can be used with or without battery. Some are switchable. 3stage for battery. Float no battery.

tango55

27/4/2017 at 10:07am
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450

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Quote: Originally posted by Opensauce on 27/4/2017
Read my post Tango. Most transformer/chargers can be used with or without battery. Some are switchable. 3stage for battery. Float no battery.

Yes I understand what you are saying about most transformers not requiring a battery to be connected but how can the motor mover be operated without a battery to power it?

jeff juke

27/4/2017 at 12:41pm
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My advice is the same as Tangos,A problem will arrive,and i experienced this,is, when the load on the transformer becomes too much,eg,when you are running the blow heating and the interior lights.You might find the transformer will shut down to protect itself.

-------------
Animals have feelings..

JEFF................

saxo1

27/4/2017 at 1:27pm
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There is a difference between definitely needing one due to the expected maximum load possibly tripping the transformer and the suggestion that one is required to stabilise the voltage.
Where the load is fed from a transformer the voltage is relatively stable and cannot harm the van's electronics.
saxo1

tango55

27/4/2017 at 2:25pm
Location: Lichfield
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So the answer in relation to the OP's question then is NO, you don't need a leisure battery.
However, if in due course the the charger happens to malfunction you can always put the result down to accepting conflicting advice which will not only be the price of a new battery but a replacement transformer as well. That's why I provided a link to the C&CC data sheet where the facts are provided for educational purposes which at the bottom of the page it confirms that a battery should always be in circuit.
Some people refuse to acknowledge the facts though and learn the hard way because at the end of the day, the costs involved don't come out of the pockets of the people answering the questions so it's down to the OP to read the facts or take a chance.

blueexpo97

27/4/2017 at 2:49pm
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Well said.

-------------
XVI yes?

As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.

saxo1

27/4/2017 at 4:38pm
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Quote: Originally posted by tango55 on 27/4/2017
So the answer in relation to the OP's question then is NO, you don't need a leisure battery.
However, if in due course the the charger happens to malfunction you can always put the result down to accepting conflicting advice which will not only be the price of a new battery but a replacement transformer as well. That's why I provided a link to the C&CC data sheet where the facts are provided for educational purposes which at the bottom of the page it confirms that a battery should always be in circuit.

They know better than the manufacturer do they?

PB10 Powerbox Transformer, 230 volt AC to 12volt DC with a maximum output of 10 amps. This can be used without a battery in the circuit.

saxo1

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