Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums

Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
  Camping and Caravanning Equipment
Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Flat Leisure Battery Post Reply Post New Topic
07/8/2014 at 1:41pm
 Location: West Lothian
 Outfit: Avante 534 Carrera 600 Peugeot 807
View Feecamp's Profile View Profile   Reply to Feecamp Reply   Quote Feecamp Quote  
Joined: 14/6/2004

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   460
Tent Reviews:   1

Site Reviews Total: 3
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 Reviews 2018: 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
Site Nights 2018: 0

Just looking for advice, please on how to charge a completely flat 110Ah leisure battery.

It's used mostly to power the motor mover so we don't really want to wait until we're pitched up and connected to the electric hook up to charge it.

Any suggestions on how we get it charged, please? We won't be driving long enough for it to get much of a charge en route.

Thanks!

-------------
Best Wishes and Happy Travels,
Feecamp


07/8/2014 at 2:00pm
 Location: Norwich
 Outfit: Citroen Relay Campervan
View Francophile1947's Profile View Profile   Reply to Francophile1947 Reply   Quote Francophile1947 Quote  
Joined: 23/1/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1870

Site Reviews Total: 17
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 Reviews 2018: 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
Site Nights 2018: 0

Depends what you mean by completely flat.
Any normal car charger will charge it but, if it's too flat, an intelligent charger may not, until there is some charge in it. Bear in mind that, if it's completely flat (showing a voltage of less than 10.5-11V) it may be permanently damaged, especially if it's been left like that for a while.

-------------
Cheers
John


07/8/2014 at 7:08pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram
View Grampian91's Profile View Profile   Reply to Grampian91 Reply   Quote Grampian91 Quote  
Joined: 11/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6893

Site Reviews Total: 2
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 Reviews 2018: 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
Site Nights 2018: 0

If its been flat for a while then the cells will be breaking down.

Never leave a battery discharged. I charge mine at home every month or so. Stick it on for a few days to a week at a time.

If you dont have a battery charger get some cheap jump leads and connect it to the car. Or connect the caravan to the car and leave the engine running for a bit.

The battery will need a good charge though. Ideally a low slow charge for 24 hours.



08/8/2014 at 3:56pm
 Location: West Lothian
 Outfit: Avante 534 Carrera 600 Peugeot 807
View Feecamp's Profile View Profile   Reply to Feecamp Reply   Quote Feecamp Quote  
Joined: 14/6/2004

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   460
Tent Reviews:   1

Site Reviews Total: 3
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 Reviews 2018: 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
Site Nights 2018: 0

Thanks, guys.

We didn't intentionally let it go flat but, now that it is, we need to revive it.

It does have a little disc that apparently goes red when the battery is terminal (no pun intended) but that's still green so we think it can be saved.

On our last trip, we connected car and caravan with the battery in place then, on site, tried the mover. It made some starting up noises then died like that had used all the power there was.

The problem is that we don't have a long enough journey from storage to site for the car to charge the battery.

Does anyone know of a charger that will deliver that trickle charge? We can't seem to find one that will handle the 110Ah requirement.

Thanks again,

-------------
Best Wishes and Happy Travels,
Feecamp


08/8/2014 at 4:18pm
 Location: Norwich
 Outfit: Citroen Relay Campervan
View Francophile1947's Profile View Profile   Reply to Francophile1947 Reply   Quote Francophile1947 Quote  
Joined: 23/1/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1870

Site Reviews Total: 17
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 Reviews 2018: 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
Site Nights 2018: 0

Quote: Originally posted by Feecamp on 08/8/2014
Thanks, guys.
Does anyone know of a charger that will deliver that trickle charge? We can't seem to find one that will handle the 110Ah requirement.

Thanks again,



Any non-intelligent charger will work. I've used one like this for many years.
It sounds like your battery is nearly always flat, so it probably will be shot and won't respond to charging. I have just replaced my leisure battery as, although reading fully charged, it won't release enough power to start my 12V compressor fridge - it sounds like the same is happening with your motor mover.

-------------
Cheers
John


Advertisement



08/8/2014 at 8:16pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram
View Grampian91's Profile View Profile   Reply to Grampian91 Reply   Quote Grampian91 Quote  
Joined: 11/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6893

Site Reviews Total: 2
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 Reviews 2018: 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
Site Nights 2018: 0

Ignore the green in the window. Its obviously not very accurate if teh battery is dead yet still shows green.



08/8/2014 at 9:28pm
 Location: Lincolnshire
 Outfit: 5 m zig bell force 10 trigano ridge
View Gareth29's Profile View Profile   Reply to Gareth29 Reply   Quote Gareth29 Quote  
Joined: 22/7/2009

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1469
Tent Reviews:   3

Site Reviews Total: 1
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 Reviews 2018: 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
Site Nights 2018: 0

The green shows acid level on 1 cell and isn't an indication of charge level/state.


09/8/2014 at 1:05am
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram
View Grampian91's Profile View Profile   Reply to Grampian91 Reply   Quote Grampian91 Quote  
Joined: 11/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   6893

Site Reviews Total: 2
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 Reviews 2018: 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
Site Nights 2018: 0

Sticker on mine says green = charged, white 50% and red = discharged.

Although i have never checked it. A cheap multimeter is more accurate.



09/8/2014 at 11:03am
 Location: south cheshire
 Outfit: VW Caddy Maxi
View Jax365's Profile View Profile   Reply to Jax365 Reply   Quote Jax365 Quote  
Joined: 07/9/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4034

Site Reviews Total: 7
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 Reviews 2018: 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
Site Nights 2018: 0

I have an older version of this charger which I plug in and leave on whilst on site, as I don't have any charger for whilst on the move. I have a small motor mover and an 85amp leisure battery (which is more than enough for my little caravan!).

Personally, I would get a new leisure battery and one of the above.



-------------


19/8/2014 at 8:03pm
 Location: West Lothian
 Outfit: Avante 534 Carrera 600 Peugeot 807
View Feecamp's Profile View Profile   Reply to Feecamp Reply   Quote Feecamp Quote  
Joined: 14/6/2004

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   460
Tent Reviews:   1

Site Reviews Total: 3
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 Reviews 2018: 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
Site Nights 2018: 0

Quote: Originally posted by Francophile1947 on 08/8/2014
Quote: Originally posted by Feecamp on 08/8/2014
Thanks, guys.
Does anyone know of a charger that will deliver that trickle charge? We can't seem to find one that will handle the 110Ah requirement.

Thanks again,



Any non-intelligent charger will work. I've used one like this for many years.
It sounds like your battery is nearly always flat, so it probably will be shot and won't respond to charging. I have just replaced my leisure battery as, although reading fully charged, it won't release enough power to start my 12V compressor fridge - it sounds like the same is happening with your motor mover.

Well, thanks everyone for your input - it was all very much appreciated but especially to Francophile1947.  We bought the charger you'd recommended and, after a few days on charge, the battery's little disc went from black (charge required) to green (OK).  I've since been advised that it would show a red disc if the battery needed to be replaced.

We took the battery down to the caravan today, connected it up and gave the mover a short trial.  It sounded perfect and worked a treat.  Last time we'd tried it, it sounded like it "took the weight" of the caravan, ready to move it but that was all it could manage.  Totally different this time so we're confident it'll easily get us onto the pitch without needing too much muscle power!

Thanks again everyone.



-------------
Best Wishes and Happy Travels,
Feecamp


Advertisement



19/8/2014 at 8:21pm
 Location: South Yoks
 Outfit: Citroen H-Van +drive away awning.
View BillGenEx's Profile View Profile   Reply to BillGenEx Reply   Quote BillGenEx Quote  
Joined: 09/8/2009

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   53

Site Reviews Total: 4
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 Reviews 2018: 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
Site Nights 2018: 0

Hi Freecamp,

 I use a soler panel to top mine up, 1' x 3' sits in the windscreen niceley.

Bill. 



-------------
Wold Farm June 2014


19/8/2014 at 8:29pm
 Location: South Yoks
 Outfit: Citroen H-Van +drive away awning.
View BillGenEx's Profile View Profile   Reply to BillGenEx Reply   Quote BillGenEx Quote  
Joined: 09/8/2009

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   53

Site Reviews Total: 4
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 Reviews 2018: 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
Site Nights 2018: 0

One day I may learn to spell "solar" :-)

 



-------------
Wold Farm June 2014


19/8/2014 at 11:02pm
 Location: West Lothian
 Outfit: Avante 534 Carrera 600 Peugeot 807
View Feecamp's Profile View Profile   Reply to Feecamp Reply   Quote Feecamp Quote  
Joined: 14/6/2004

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   460
Tent Reviews:   1

Site Reviews Total: 3
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 Reviews 2018: 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
Site Nights 2018: 0

Ha ha! Cheers BillGenEx - might have to look into that but the caravan lives in a big, dark barn when not in use and that's when top he battery went flat.

-------------
Best Wishes and Happy Travels,
Feecamp



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev       Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Camping and Caravanning Equipment - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...














8514 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement


Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar


Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder