|
13/1/2013 at 11:47am
Location: south cheshire
Outfit: VW Caddy Maxi
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 07/9/2007 Diamond Member 
Forum Posts: 4034
| Site Reviews Total: | 7 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 1 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 7 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
Are you charging from an inbuilt charger or an independent one?
I'm not sure about the inbuilt charger systems, as I don't have one, but the smart charger I do have only charges up to full, then switches to 'maintenance mode' so it doesn't overcook your battery, which I know some ordinary car chargers can do.
If you have an inbuilt charger maybe you should let us know which make it is.. someone will be along to let you know about the inbuilt chargers.
-------------
|
13/1/2013 at 1:08pm
Location: Halifax West Yorkshire
Outfit: VW Amarok Crewcab Pickup Truck
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 22/1/2011 Platinum Member 
Forum Posts: 660
| Site Reviews Total: | 3 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
It should be OK did that for years without a problem but now I have it on a timer it just comes on for 4 hours every week on a Sunday night.Ian
-------------
Sandy Gulls caravan site
Mundesley
North Norfolk
1st July to 22 July
|
13/1/2013 at 2:24pm
Location:
Outfit:
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 09/8/2010 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 6853
| Site Reviews Total: | 0 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
It will not do it any damage but keep it fit as thats what their built for.it will trickle charger your battery.
-------------
Animals have feelings..
JEFF................
|
13/1/2013 at 2:35pm
Location:
Outfit:
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 24/10/2009 Platinum Member
Forum Posts: 1252
| Site Reviews Total: | 2 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
surely its no different than having it hooked up on site re an inbuilt protective device to stop the batter being 'cooked' - albeit you will use battery power from time to time on site, perhaps for peace of mind you could leave a 12v light bulb on?
|
14/1/2013 at 12:54pm
Location:
Outfit:
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 09/8/2010 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 6853
| Site Reviews Total: | 0 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
If the battery is not the sealed type check the water levels like i said leaving it on without drawing power from it will do no harm as there is a regulator built in to it.
-------------
Animals have feelings..
JEFF................
|
14/1/2013 at 2:17pm
Location: Lichfield
Outfit: Coachman Amara 450
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 15/5/2008 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 9588
| Site Reviews Total: | 23 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 3 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 1 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 4 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 11 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 3 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 24 |
|
Jeff is quite right as the caravan onboard battery charger has a built in regulator which regulates the amount of amps being distributed to the leisure battery but also has a built in sensor too in order that it doesn't produce any excess power feed when the battery is at full capacity. Being plugged into a domestic 240 volt mains supply at home or on electric hook up the principal is identical in both cases but the only difference is that the electric hook up on a camp site may have a lower amperage which means it will just take a little longer to recharge the battery but the onboard charger works exactly the same.
|
14/1/2013 at 4:04pm
Location: Lancashire
Outfit: Caravan now Sold
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 30/6/2002 Diamond Member
Forum Posts: 23517
| Site Reviews Total: | 1 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
i have the van plugged in 24/7 but on a timer.this timer comes on for 4 hours a day to keep the battery charged.done this for years without a problem and battery is always fully charged ready for the mover.only buy a quality timer as cheap ones are dangerous and a fire risk.
-------------
the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
|
28/1/2013 at 11:32pm
Location: Sitingbourne
Outfit: baily champaign
View Profile
Reply
Quote
|
Joined: 19/2/2006 Platinum Member
Forum Posts: 1098
| Site Reviews Total: | 1 |
|
| Site Reviews 2025: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2024: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2023: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2022: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2021: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2020: | 0 |
| Site Reviews 2019: | 0 |
|
| Site Nights 2025: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2024: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2023: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2022: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2021: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2020: | 0 |
| Site Nights 2019: | 0 |
|
The standard battery charger built into caravans are not strictly battery chargers,but power supply units. They are mainly designed to supply the 12v dc for the caravan,but also supply 13.7volt to the battery.However 13.7v is not sufficient to fully charge a battery,normally only to about 80% of its full charge. the reason for this voltage is to prevent gassing in the battery,& causing damage by overcharging. 13.7v will maintain a fully charged battery but will not bring a partly depleted battery to full charge. This failier to bring a battery to full charge can cause sulphation of the lead plates in the battery shortening its life some later caravans are fitted with a"smart charger" which will put a higher voltage into the battery & automatically reduce to a lower voltage when the battery is fully charged. Many people buy a smart charger such as the CTEK http://www.ctekchargers.co.uk/?gclid=CKivk82YjLUCFQ7LtAodYysA1w
This is used to fully charge & maintain the caravan battery & reduces the sulphation of the plates
Hope this is of some help
TD
|
|
Topic: Caravan battery
