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Subject Topic: Leisure battery VW Trooper Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonBridie
via mobile 18/8/2021 at 5:31pm
 Location: Hants
 Outfit: VW Trooper View Bridie's Profile View Profile   Reply to Bridie Reply   Quote Bridie Quote  
Joined: 08/10/2006

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Forum Posts:   845
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Discovered leisure battery VERY hot in its plastic box in back of van ( M reg Trooper.) Nasty smell.Removed it , cooled down,taped red wires so couldn't touch anything and continued home. We had habitation check in May and battery seemed dead but was ok when checked so chap put in a new battery charger, I think under floor tail gate end, near leisure battery. Now nervous of getting another leisure battery and wondering if we really need one? We always have hook up and can keep fridge reasonably cool while travelling. Advice/ suggestions please?

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bridie


PersonFiona W
via mobile 18/8/2021 at 6:48pm
 Location: Ayrshire
 Outfit: Auto-Sleeper MHs View Fiona W's Profile View Profile   Reply to Fiona W Reply   Quote Fiona W Quote  
Joined: 10/4/2007

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Forum Posts:   5144
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I could be wrong but I think the leisure battery also does the water pump. That’s more of an issue to do without, but you may work off filling up bottles anyway.
I’d just get it all sorted. Better for peace of mind & better for when you sell it.

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2024 = 20 sites / 41 nights. 2023 = 9/23. 2022 = 13/35. 2021 = 11/29. 2020 = 4/20. 2019 = 13/35. 2018 = 20/33. 2017 = 10/22. 2016 = 19/33. 2015 = 15 sites / 27 nights. Didn't count 1976 to 2014.


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PersonBridie
via mobile 18/8/2021 at 7:04pm
 Location: Hants
 Outfit: VW Trooper View Bridie's Profile View Profile   Reply to Bridie Reply   Quote Bridie Quote  
Joined: 08/10/2006

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Thanks. What I’m wondering is did we need a battery charger or did that overheat the leisure battery? There’s nothing about leisure battery chargers in the handbook…..

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bridie


PersonPhishing
18/8/2021 at 11:06pm
 Location: Merseyside
 Outfit: Coachman 575 View Phishing's Profile View Profile   Reply to Phishing Reply   Quote Phishing Quote  
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You battery went critical and if it reached the point of smelling really bad then its dead or at least should not be trusted.

Without knowing how your van is wired then I cant say if you need a new battery but it is good practice for many reasons to have one connected. If you dont then you are relying on the charger to provide all the current you need, this can damage them and certainly shorten the charger life. If you dont need a large battery then just fit a smaller car battery, say 50AH instead of a 120AH.

Only the service guy knows if you needed a new charger, I assume he tested it or at least suspected that it had gone overvoltage and fried the battery.

Chargers can last only a few years if you are unlucky but should really last at least 5.
Same lifespan for a battery, so if either were older than this then reasonable to renew both.



Personfranbee
18/8/2021 at 11:18pm
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit: Leisuredrive VW T6 campervan View franbee's Profile View Profile   Reply to franbee Reply   Quote franbee Quote  
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We've never had a leisure battery, we rely on EHU on sites, or gas for the fridge overnight if necessary. And the 'van keeps the fridge cool whilst we are travelling. Limitations, but suits us.


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Persontango55
19/8/2021 at 12:37am
 Location: Lichfield
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 450 View tango55's Profile View Profile   Reply to tango55 Reply   Quote tango55 Quote  
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The problem with NOT having a leisure battery connected is that the battery clips are allowed to make contact which will of course blow a fuse which creates another unwanted problem. Also, if there is no battery incorporated in the 12 volt circuit then there is nothing to stabilise the current. If a battery is connected up, the voltage should read about 12.9 to 13 volts but the charger itself pushes out 14 volts so it makes sense to have one in circuit. It's no different to having your mobile phone at home plugged into the 3 pin socket, switch on with a live current and having no phone connected to the charging cable.


PersonBridie
via mobile 19/8/2021 at 9:20am
 Location: Hants
 Outfit: VW Trooper View Bridie's Profile View Profile   Reply to Bridie Reply   Quote Bridie Quote  
Joined: 08/10/2006

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I’m inclined to go with Franbee but Tango55 surely if we have the leads etc from old leisure battery removed there is then nothing left to short circuit? We would simply be driving the van like our car relying on the battery under the bonnet to start the engine etc and use electric hook up to provide power for fridge at camp sites? I always put freezer blocks in the fridge when we leave home anyway and keep them frozen where possible by using a freezer if available at camp site … I’m a bit nervous of having another potential fire in the van !!!!

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bridie


Personfranbee
19/8/2021 at 11:34am
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit: Leisuredrive VW T6 campervan View franbee's Profile View Profile   Reply to franbee Reply   Quote franbee Quote  
Joined: 21/7/2009

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We have never had a leisure battery in 'van from new, so presumably don't have the wiring.


PersonBridie
via mobile 19/8/2021 at 11:56am
 Location: Hants
 Outfit: VW Trooper View Bridie's Profile View Profile   Reply to Bridie Reply   Quote Bridie Quote  
Joined: 08/10/2006

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Forum Posts:   845
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Thanks Franbee. I’m just trying to sort out what’s best thing to do!!

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bridie



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