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Topic: Battery charger advice for an old van

Caroelle

23/4/2014 at 3:13pm
Location: Worcestershire
Outfit: Bailey Orion 440-4

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We have an 1986 caravan from which we are hoping to get a couple more years of use, having made some very successful damp repairs with the aid of this forum. However the battery charger, a Labcraft BC125 has died. I have checked the fuse next to it and the one in the wiring by the battery but both are fine. I am reluctant to get the charger off the wall and open it up as I am not sure how it links to the EHU. It would be the end of the van if we lost that!
It does not seem economical to replace the charger as it would cost more than the value of the van. Any ideas on any alternatives? We have been charging the battery with a standard plug in charger from Argos or Halfords but it only lasts a day and I suspect that it is insufficient to stop the battery from being permanently damaged.
Any suggestions gladly received!
Thanks, Caroline

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Caroelle

michell8

23/4/2014 at 7:50pm
Location:
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A trickle charger delivering 4amps should fully charge a battery in 24hrs. The very small plug in chargers are only about half amp so take much longer. There is nothing wrong with using separate charger but it needs to be left on long enough to fully charge battery.

Colin21

23/4/2014 at 8:37pm
Location: East Herts
Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail

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You don't say how big a battery you have, but assuning it's 110ah, I would get a charger capable of charging at 10 amps or more. Leave it charging whenever you are using any electrical equipment, and you should be fine.

I would try something like this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Caravan-Motorhome-Leisure-Battery-Charger-10AMP-New-/390821094190?pt=UK_Campervan_Caravan_A

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Best Regards,
Colin

Grampian91

23/4/2014 at 9:02pm
Location: Midlands
Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram

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A larger charger will keep the battery topped up better 8Amps +.

But dont forget that a car charger will put the battery into the gassing stage which will boil off the water in the battery.

The caravan chargers are designed to keep the voltage just below that level to prevent it boiling dry.

If you do use a charger then keep an eye on the fluid levels in the battery. And top up with distilled water.

£1.19 for 2.5 litres from Asda. Just bought some for something else.
Not sure if you can get it cheaper?

jayc001

24/4/2014 at 8:06pm
Location: Essex
Outfit: 1996 Bailey Senator 5000

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You need a smart charger if away for extended periods on hook up. As said above a regular charger will over charge a battery. Smart chargers won't do this and keep the battery in better condition.

Colin21

24/4/2014 at 8:23pm
Location: East Herts
Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail

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An ordinary charger is fine as long as you keep an eye on things, but I agree that a smart charger, like the one I put a link on for, would be better.

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Best Regards,
Colin

Tony B52

24/4/2014 at 11:08pm
Location: Somerset
Outfit: Bailey Wyoming Kia Sedona

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You could try Alan from AandNCaravan. Alan (I'm pretty sure that was his name) took my old unit apart, repaired it and returned it to me working whilst I waited.

This company operate out of ebay, but loads of positive feedback. He does quite a lot of the Nord stuff, but he would probably take a look at this for you.

My experience with them was great. He's based not far from Snowdon, if you fancy hitting two birds with one stone and taking a break up there.

Tony.

Caroelle

26/4/2014 at 12:38am
Location: Worcestershire
Outfit: Bailey Orion 440-4

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Thanks to everyone for the advice. I was aware that there is someone in North Wales who fixes these things, but I think that the smart charger looks like the best option bearing in mind the age of the van. However I have a question which may sound stupid, but better stupid than paying another £70 for a battery. Can a smart charger be attached to the battery when it is in use?
Thanks,
Caroline

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Caroelle

tango55

26/4/2014 at 1:02am
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450

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You can leave the smart charger connected but it's not advisable because you need to understand how a smart charger functions. A smart charger charges in 4 stages and this is achievable due to the complex built in computer that registers the amount of charge and then reduces the charge accordingly. Because of the way it functions, the charger will never over-charge the battery causing it to reach the gassing stage (boiling of the acid and distorting the internal plates). If the smart charger is registering and controlling the current flow rate of charge and then suddenly draw power from the battery simultaneously it will most likely confuse the computer which could cause the charger to malfunction and totally shut down for good. For this reason I would only pre-charge the battery before use and then re-charge independently as required.

Caroelle

26/4/2014 at 10:04am
Location: Worcestershire
Outfit: Bailey Orion 440-4

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Thanks Tango. So we can leave it attached, but only plug it in to charge when needed, which would save all the hassle of getting it out and connecting and disconnecting it.
Thanks to all for the advice, off to buy a smart charger.

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Caroelle

LobeyDosser

26/4/2014 at 12:32pm
Location: Argyll Scotland
Outfit: 1997 Bailey Ranger 470 4

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<<<It does not seem economical to replace the charger as it would cost more than the value of the van. >>>

I too have an "old van" and its "value" to us is that it is fully paid for, owes us nothing and is our holiday vehicle for the next "N" number of years.

It needed a new battery, new tyres and recently a new PCU (which includes the charger).
Whatever the monitory value of the van is, it is nothing compared to the saving that we will make on future holidays and so what we spend in keeping it in tip top condition has to be considered against what we will be saving on our holidays for the coming year.

Why spend 70 quid on a Smart Charger when you can spend 90 quid on a brand new 3-stage PCU.
I replaced my PCU last week. That involved unscrewing the old PCU from it's position and screwing the new PCU in its place.
Changing the Mains Plug onto the new input wire, undoing the old + & - 12v wires and plugging in the new ones. Job done in under 30 minutes.
I now have a new PCU that is as good as any Smart Charger, is the right tool for the job and is using the original space and the original wiring.

We will ofcourse, be spending money each year on keeping older equipment in good and working order and we will still need to have it serviced annually and repair anything that that service throws up, but when we consider those costs against what we would have to shell out buying a van with up to date equipment, well the sums simply do not add up.
Keep your older van. Renew the equipment as it wears out and your van will give you cheap holidays for many years to come.

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Lobey.

tango55

26/4/2014 at 12:33pm
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450

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I don't think you will be able to leave the smart charger connected to the battery as you will need to remove the charger clips from the two poles in order to re-connect the two battery clips.
I would be inclined to agree with Lobey as replacing the original charger would make more sense for an extra twenty quid which of course is the tool for the job as he said and less hassle of re-connecting the smart charger when required. Remember that an onboard charger constantly keeps the battery fully charged whereas the method of a smart charger won't so in the long term it may reduce the life of the leisure battery.

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