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Topic: caravan batter charger

Philmo

09/2/2017 at 12:21pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Spectrum 520

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I've noticed I get a bad smell when the charger for the battery is on .I was told by another caravanner that you leave the charger on at all times . So I have been doing this for quite some time now which is why I think I now get this smell , it's smells like a fuse is about to blow like in the old cars, I have checked all the fuses and they are all OK .Dose anyone know what causes this . My Caravan is an Abbey Sprectrum 520. Thanks.

tango55

09/2/2017 at 12:46pm
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450

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The smell from the battery charger is not normal so it could be a slow process of becoming defective. What you need to do is switch off the mains power, disconnect the battery and connect a voltmeter to the terminals. Switch on the mains power again and see what the reading is at the voltmeter. If the charger is working effectively it should read about 14 volts then switch off the mains power, disconnect the voltmeter and re-connect the battery again. Switch back on the mains power then re-check with the voltmeter whilst the battery is being charged which should read around 13.5 volts as the current is under load so will be slightly less. If the test proves unsuccessful then the charger will need replacing which cost in the region of £100.

Philmo

09/2/2017 at 2:37pm
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I've just done that test and the reading was 13.83 volts with battery disconnected and 13.55 volts with the battery contecter .would you that is OK or should it be 14 volts with the battery discontected ? .

tango55

09/2/2017 at 5:38pm
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450

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The readings you got from the battery charger are okay so I would eliminate a defective charger being the fault.
I know it sounds daft but are the battery +/- terminals connected correctly?

albee

09/2/2017 at 5:50pm
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Hi, are you sure its not the battery that's causing the smell. a smell like rotten eggs can come from a battery while charging if its faulty/or over charged.

chrisn7

09/2/2017 at 11:07pm
Location: West Yorkshire
Outfit: Bessacarr Cameo 625 2011

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Yes, I think you need to check the battery. Look for overheating when charging and low acid level. The bad egg smell is hydrogen sulphide which is colourless, poisonous and explosive, and is generated from overcharging.

tango55

09/2/2017 at 11:45pm
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450

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I agree that a smell of a bad egg smell is caused by over charging otherwise known as gassing, however, the OP said that the reading they received from the voltmeter direct from the charger was 13.83 volts which is evident that the charger is satisfactory. The only other reason I can relate to is a defective battery so the OP needs to get it checked out at an auto electrical outlet who will test the battery and the results can be acted on respectively and if the battery proves to be defective they will need to replace with a new one.

Philmo

20/2/2017 at 8:35am
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Hi all thanks for all your comments I have checked the battery and it is OK. I will now check other electric components in the caravan to eliminate them until I find the cause of the smell, it's not like rotten eggs it's more like electrical smell like a melting fuse.

Pickled Onion

20/2/2017 at 5:46pm
Location: Near Alton Towers
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It sounds like something is arcing slightly and getting too hot, possibly corroded or loose connections that are not a tight a fit as they should be. I think you are on the right track and the good thing is that it shouldn't be as expensive a job.

Dave.

-------------
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day,
Teach a man to fish and you can get rid of him for a whole weekend.

hollybolly44

02/3/2017 at 4:44pm
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Hi There, getting a clicking noise from the Consumer unit, also the 12volt lights are going on and off on a quick regular basis, any suggestions please, Kind regards
Caravan is a 2009 Coachman Laser 655/6

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