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Hi Highwayman

Do you have the caravan hooked up while at home?

Quote: Originally posted by GeorgeTelford on 14/05/2005

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Hi Highwayman

Do you have the caravan hooked up while at home?

 

 

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Hi HWM

no not really unless the Zig (or Equiv is bust) Its strange for a regularly charged battery to die so quickly (even if it is Zig Charging rather than a proper charger)

always worth checking the battery levels but on Zig it wont run down that quick.

Quote: Originally posted by rd57chad on 14/05/2005

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No it just wont fully recharge your battery , it will charge it to 80% of its capacity :~) .Caravan chargers wont fully recharge it for the exact reason you've stated . The biggest risk you run is tripping over your hook up lead !

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Read some stuff in the latest Practical Caravan (July edition, mentioned on front cover).  Talked about replacing caravan battery chargers.  Seemingly many caravan "chargers" are not proper chargers and what you need, according to the article, is a two stage or multi stage unit.  A two stage charger will deliver a higher voltage kick automatically to a flat battery (ie "overcharge" as mentioned above), and then reduce the voltage as the charge increases.  This helps prevent "sulphation", and thus prolongs battery life.  Related to this is that you should not charge a leisure (aka deep cycle) battery with a conventional car charger, but one designed specifically for leisure batteries, ie a two/multi stage device.  Nor should you ever leave a battery fully discharged...

Hope this helps...

Regards

hi hwm

found some info if your interested.

check out www.caravantechnology.com     

and read eric fowler's article very interesting !

Quote: Originally posted by clairemc on 24/05/2005

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At the moment we are having trouble with our battery on the caravan,we are wondering why it is going flat a lot and wondering what is causing it.

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Hi

Three possible reasons, not being charged properly due to faulty charger, a short in your 12v system, or more likely, a kna**ered (a technical term) battery due to the reasons stated above and in the Eric Fowler guides.  The solution is probably a new battery, but even then consider your charge/discharge regime.  If your van charger is a single stage device (most are), it is likely that battery life is being shortened, especially if you allow the battery to fully discharge from time-to-time.  If you can't run to a new stepped type charger for the van consider a leisure battery charger from Halfords or similar (must be a stepped type, not a conventional car charger), here is one example, although you would need to ask questions about voltage output (ie is it a true stepped type), http://www.halfords.com/opd_product_details.asp?id=16902&type=0&cat=28.  Armed with this, or similar, remove your battery for a full recharge from time-to-time.  Also, if the van is left for long periods consider removing the battery and leaving it on permanent trickle charge at home.

Hope this helps.

Regards - Ian