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Subject Topic: Charger unit old swift rapide `91 Post Reply Post New Topic
Personjimmytaff
20/6/2014 at 9:42pm
 Location: South Wales
 Outfit: Yellowstone Alpine 2 & Sleeping bag View jimmytaff's Profile View Profile   Reply to jimmytaff Reply   Quote jimmytaff Quote  
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Hi guys ive got a very old swift rapide 1991 model the leisure battery is flat down to 7.3v and only a year old I was under the impression that it would charge with EHU but it doesnt it remains at 7.3v theres an rcd with trip switches one labelled 'Fridge and Charger unit' but im unable to find any sort of charger unit where all the electrics are at the front right of the van.

Does anyone know where it should be?

I also changed all the fuses to resetable breakers to make sure it wasnt something simple like a fuse and for future ease but it remains at 7.3v with or without EHU theres also a switch with Car/Off/Van and no change with either selection

Think i might just get a mains trickle charger and install an additional plug to run it off would that work?


PersonColin21
20/6/2014 at 11:16pm
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail View Colin21's Profile View Profile   Reply to Colin21 Reply   Quote Colin21 Quote  
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If your leisure battery is really down to just 7.3 volts, I would say that it's had it! Even a completely flat battery won't usually go much below 10 volts off load.

I would imagine that the switch marked car/off/van is just to determine which battery is being used to power your electrics. Either the car's or the van's. Is this switch not on a unit of some kind? In our 1988 Elddis there is a Zig CF9 unit which is the charger and power distribution point. The CF9 unit is below a wall cupboard and above a worktop, so it is very noticeable. If yours is not that obvious, I would try looking in the lockers near where the mains comes in.

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


Personjimmytaff
20/6/2014 at 11:34pm
 Location: South Wales
 Outfit: Yellowstone Alpine 2 & Sleeping bag View jimmytaff's Profile View Profile   Reply to jimmytaff Reply   Quote jimmytaff Quote  
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Thanks there an indicator on the battery green for good black for recharge and white for replace, Its black a the moment.

I have a spare leisure battery anyway but this doesnt solve my charging issue theres literally under the seat on the front right of the van the inlet from the EHU, rcd with two trips, two banks of fuses and a 3 way switch.

I acquired the van from a old friend over a year ago and we dont keep in touch much now and can only think that it was removed at some point and never replaced he replaced the battery before giving it to me and had not long replaced the water heater, It only runs the water heater, pump and tube lighting from what i can tell would a trickle charger suffice in keeping it charged? tbh i use the van very little but like everything to function correctly


Personalbee
21/6/2014 at 1:47pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered View albee's Profile View Profile   Reply to albee Reply   Quote albee Quote  
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Hi, on my caravan a separate charger is fitted in a bed locker near to battery box, if the charger on yours is a separate item it will be near to battery. Also would not recommend using a trickle charger whilst drawing current from battery at the same time, i.e. pump lights etc.


PersonColin21
23/6/2014 at 3:16pm
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail View Colin21's Profile View Profile   Reply to Colin21 Reply   Quote Colin21 Quote  
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Hi albee. There shouldn't be a problem trickle-charging a battery while drawing power from it, as I would imagine that is what the charger in most vans does. A decent trickle charger will just keep the battery topped up, and dramatically lengthen the time you can draw power from the battery.

My boat had a trickle-charger which I fitted some years ago, and when shore-power was available I always had it switched on to keep my batteries topped up. The boat had no mains equipment on-board, apart from the charger, although it did have a couple of 240volt power sockets, so when I was on-board in the evening I was running a 12volt fridge, lights, and water pumps etc, and I never had any problems with the trickle charger running.

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



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