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Subject Topic: Battery problem Post Reply Post New Topic
03/9/2019 at 7:14pm
 Location: west yorkshire
 Outfit: Swift Charisma 545 F
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Hi All
Been away for long weekend, while packing up on Sunday morning wife heard a loud beep but as electric was still on thought nothing about it, using motor mover to hitch up it kept beeping & cutting out, my first thought was mover remote battery, on arriving home changed the remote battery then wound the mover onto wheel, again cutting out, plugged into mains to get the van into position to put the Alko lock on, wound legs down then emptied the fridge etc, wife went in Monday night to get clothes out and got a burning smell from inside van, I checked round & found the smell was from leisure battery, battery was hot, on removing battery I found the negative clamp was loose, I’ve checked the power on the leads with multimeter getting around 13.5 so it’s not the charging side, the battery is around 9 years old & caravan is connected to mains on front drive
Looking forward to your replies
Regards Graham


03/9/2019 at 7:47pm
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail
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If the negative clamp was loose on the terminal this would create a high resistance joint which would likely get hot, especially drawing the current of a motor-mover. It is also possible that the battery could be on its way out, especially if it is 9 years old.


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


03/9/2019 at 7:55pm
 Location: west yorkshire
 Outfit: Swift Charisma 545 F
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Hi Colin
Just what I thought, I’ve got the battery on smart charger at the min but don’t hold much hope out for recovery,
Not using the van for a few weeks as we are touring Southern Ireland for 10 days from 13th so will probably buy a new battery when I’m back, don’t suppose I can moan about it after 9 years
Thanks for the reply
Graham


03/9/2019 at 8:33pm
 Location: Lichfield
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 450
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If you take the leisure battery to an auto electrical battery supplier and ask them to conduct a drop test, this will confirm if the battery is defective or not. I would suggest after 9 years it probably does need replacing, however, it appears that it's still holding a charge so a drop test is the best solution and see what the results are.


04/9/2019 at 2:04pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
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time to buy a new battery.. they lose capacity with time and use..

even a 90% worn out battery will still show 13.5 volts after a charge.. 9 years is a long time for a battery..

fully charged means the battery has as much in it as it will take.. what it will take can be next to nothing..

trog


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04/9/2019 at 9:54pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
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Hi guys,
Just an observation - some better known high street stores will offer to take your old battery and recycle it for free.
As an alternative, take the battery to a scrap yard and get a few quid for it.

It's a shame the high street stores can't do this and therefore offer a discount towards the new battery!!!

John


04/9/2019 at 10:11pm
 Location: west yorkshire
 Outfit: Swift Charisma 545 F
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Hi All
Battery been on smart charger all day while I was at work, just checked & its showing fault so time to replace it I think.
Will purchase a new one after Ireland trip ready for next time out in van.
Thanks for the advice everyone
Cheers Graham


06/9/2019 at 10:05am
 Location: Essex
 Outfit: Fiat Ducato 3.0 Autotrail Mohican
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As an aside from the battery, I was always told never to use the mover when plugged into electric as this can damage the charger, I’ve seen two caravans just recently where the ‘red isolator switch’ cannot be inserted if the electric cable is plugged in which reiterates the point I suppose, just saying


06/9/2019 at 2:11pm
 Location: East Herts
 Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail
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Quote: Originally posted by Grandad Kenny on 06/9/2019
As an aside from the battery, I was always told never to use the mover when plugged into electric as this can damage the charger, I’ve seen two caravans just recently where the ‘red isolator switch’ cannot be inserted if the electric cable is plugged in which reiterates the point I suppose, just saying



Yes that does make sense. I have never tried to insert my isolator key with the EHU connected, so I don't actually know whether it is possible on mine. I will have to take a look now, as you have got me curious.


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


06/9/2019 at 2:37pm
 Location: west yorkshire
 Outfit: Swift Charisma 545 F
View gray871's Profile View Profile   Reply to gray871 Reply   Quote gray871 Quote  
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Hi Kenny
It was a one off plugging the mains lead in to get the van off the road & onto the front drive, it’s not something I would ever do normally, it’s not possible to use the car to position the van as it has to be in exact correct position very close to the front of the house so I can line up the Alko lock
Will purchase a new battery when back from hols
Graham


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via mobile 06/9/2019 at 3:23pm
 Location: Hatfield Peverel Essex
 Outfit: Ace Supreme Twinstar Disco 3
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When you replace the battery it might be worth checking the sealant at the rear of the battery box is in good condition. In theory the smell should not have come inside the caravan.
DaveS1


06/9/2019 at 3:54pm
 Location: west yorkshire
 Outfit: Swift Charisma 545 F
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Hi Dave thanks for that it’s not something I had thought about
Graham



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