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Subject Topic: Charger smells of rotten eggs Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonLoch Morlich
01/7/2013 at 11:11pm
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Hi

We discovered our charger was releasing a smell, no doubt not a good sign. We are currently on holiday and are nursing the battery a long by charging it only for an hour a day by removing the fuse to cut the circuit. To make sure we can use the pump and the caravan mover when we need to.

Can anyone advise what may be the cause?

We have a 2004 adria adiva does anyone know what part to source and where?

When we tow the van will the car charge the leisure battery independently of the caravans charger?


Personjeff juke
02/7/2013 at 12:05am
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Sounds like its about to pack in,a cheap car battery charger will do the trick till you get home but i would not leave it on constant just when the batt needs a charge.

I found with mine cheaper to replace than repair.

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

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


Personalpiner
02/7/2013 at 6:07am
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The smell is the insulation covering the wires or charger components overheating.
Some people often describe the smell as a fish like.
Time to dump it repair it or replace.

-------------
alpiner


PersonJOHN BYRNE
02/7/2013 at 7:15am
 Location: Hertfordshire
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Could the battery possibly be sulphating?


Personmattlad
02/7/2013 at 9:49am
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Quote: Originally posted by JOHN BYRNE on 02/7/2013
Could the battery possibly be sulphating?



+1

-------------
Love a lot. Trust a few. But ALWAYS paddle your own canoe!!
Minds are like parachutes:- They only function when they are open!!!
Those who talk don't know.
Those who know don't talk.


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PersonAndy Higham
02/7/2013 at 10:52am
 Location: Bolton Lancs
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Check the voltage, should be 13.8 to 14.4v whilst charging. It sounds like the battery is over charging


PersonLoch Morlich
02/7/2013 at 11:15am
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Hi we are never going above 13.8 volts. Smell not coming from battery definitely the charger.


Personmaljwilliams
02/7/2013 at 11:59am
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I would say that the charger or battery is faulty, if the battery is on its last legs it would be pulling more currant than the charger can give, it would be best to get the battery and charger tested. The smell is from the circuit bored of the charger, one or more components on the PCB will be overheating. Most units can charge the battery from the car if fitted with the appropriate circuit. It would be wise not to use the charge.

-------------
maljwilliams wildlife film maker


PersonLoch Morlich
02/7/2013 at 12:08pm
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Hi the battery is holding charge well we are using the pump and lights as normal.

Does this suggest its more the charger than the battery?


Personmaljwilliams
02/7/2013 at 12:22pm
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Most likely the charger if the battery is lasting when in use. How old is the battery? Most batteries last about 3 to 5 years.
This may not be possible for you to check but if you can check the currant that the battery is taking this would give a good indication, if it is in the range of the charger (sometimes this is indicated in the manual or on the charger) then it is the charger that is at fault, if the battery is taking more than the charger is rated for then this would be a good indication that the battery is at fault.


-------------
maljwilliams wildlife film maker


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Personjeff juke
02/7/2013 at 12:45pm
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Quote: Originally posted by alpiner on 02/7/2013
The smell is the insulation covering the wires or charger components overheating.
Some people often describe the smell as a fish like.
Time to dump it repair it or replace.


Agree with Alpiner,anything that smells from electrics in the van should be dumped as its a fire hazard..


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

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


PersonLoch Morlich
02/7/2013 at 5:24pm
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We decided that we would need to remove the charger as soon as we smelt it, but we discovered it on our first day of holiday.....so we need to nurse the caravan for 2 weeks until we get it home and can get it serviced.

So far so good battery holding at 13.8 and our use of the caravan is not being compromised even though we have switched off the charger.

The main thing is making sure we have enough power for the mover when we get home but presume the car will charge the leisure battery during the drive home.


PersonFrancophile1947
02/7/2013 at 6:29pm
 Location: Norwich
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Quote: Originally posted by Loch Morlich on 02/7/2013
We decided that we would need to remove the charger as soon as we smelt it, but we discovered it on our first day of holiday.....so we need to nurse the caravan for 2 weeks until we get it home and can get it serviced.

So far so good battery holding at 13.8 and our use of the caravan is not being compromised even though we have switched off the charger.

The main thing is making sure we have enough power for the mover when we get home but presume the car will charge the leisure battery during the drive home.


Are you sure the charger is switched off? The battery should never show 13.8 volts, unless it is on charge. A fully charged battery is normally around 12.7 or 12.8 volts.

-------------
Cheers
John


PersonLoch Morlich
02/7/2013 at 10:40pm
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The battery is definitely off when we are reading 13.8volt because we have removed the charger fuse and the smell disappears.

After 24 hours use (pump and lights) the battery (with the charger switched off) drops to about 13,2volts.



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