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: Battery life Post Reply Post New Topic
via mobile 01/3/2019 at 4:45pm
 Location: Luton (no jokes plea
 Outfit: Coachman and Hyundai
View Mrs. Bonce's Profile View Profile   Reply to Mrs. Bonce Reply   Quote Mrs. Bonce Quote  
Joined: 05/6/2006

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   12699

Site Reviews Total: 384
Site Reviews 2024: 21 
Site Reviews 2023: 26 
Site Reviews 2022: 37 
Site Reviews 2021: 26 
Site Reviews 2020: 11 
Site Reviews 2019: 30 
Site Reviews 2018: 31 
Site Nights 2024: 102
Site Nights 2023: 119
Site Nights 2022: 154
Site Nights 2021: 140
Site Nights 2020: 63
Site Nights 2019: 132
Site Nights 2018: 134

Recently had the caravan serviced and were told that the battery needs replacing, it's only 2 years old. We use the caravan a lot, and the mover. Any advice? And what one to buy?


01/3/2019 at 7:38pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View marg6's Profile View Profile   Reply to marg6 Reply   Quote marg6 Quote  
Joined: 11/8/2016

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3126

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: 3  
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: 15
Site Nights 2018: 0

is it playing up? if not why change it yet? remember the dealers/service guys are after a quick sale on items too you know, if your unsure why not just carry a full charged spare one with you


01/3/2019 at 7:54pm
 Location: Harrogate Yorkshire.
 Outfit: Skoda Octavia 4x4 & Compass Omega 482
View Octavia4x4's Profile View Profile   Reply to Octavia4x4 Reply   Quote Octavia4x4 Quote  
Joined: 24/10/2012

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   618

Site Reviews Total: 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 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

Still using a 12year old 110amp Numax, which still holds a charge when off grid using solar power.

-------------
Skoda Octavia Estate 2.0TDi 4x4 (2012) towing a Compass Omega 482 (2014)


02/3/2019 at 12:42am
 Location: Lichfield
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 450
View tango55's Profile View Profile   Reply to tango55 Reply   Quote tango55 Quote  
Joined: 15/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   9587

Site Reviews Total: 23
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 Reviews 2018: 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
Site Nights 2018: 0

The best solution is to buy a voltmeter and do your own checks as that way you will know from your own findings if the battery is defective or not. Take the battery off the caravan, connect up to a smart charger at home and fully charge the battery. Disconnect the charger and then check the voltage daily with the voltmeter to see if the battery is holding a charge or not. The initial reading should be around 13.8 volts so jot down on a piece of paper, day 1, day 2 etc. with the corresponding volts and see if the battery has maintained the voltage after one week. If the battery has lost voltage to around 12.5 volts then you know that a new battery is required. Remember that a leisure battery needs a lot of TLC so the age of the battery is irrelevant providing it hasn't been neglected. I have a Lucas 100ah. leisure battery which is now on it's 5th year and still in good working order.


02/3/2019 at 6:47am
 Location: Luton (no jokes plea
 Outfit: Coachman and Hyundai
View Mrs. Bonce's Profile View Profile   Reply to Mrs. Bonce Reply   Quote Mrs. Bonce Quote  
Joined: 05/6/2006

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   12699

Site Reviews Total: 384
Site Reviews 2024: 21 
Site Reviews 2023: 26 
Site Reviews 2022: 37 
Site Reviews 2021: 26 
Site Reviews 2020: 11 
Site Reviews 2019: 30 
Site Reviews 2018: 31 
Site Nights 2024: 102
Site Nights 2023: 119
Site Nights 2022: 154
Site Nights 2021: 140
Site Nights 2020: 63
Site Nights 2019: 132
Site Nights 2018: 134

Thanks, we keep the caravan at home, with electricity connected all the time.

Finding more info, it appears that there are 3 makes of battery that are verified by the NCC, Banner being one. But are there any which give a guarantee other than manufacturer defect?

Post last edited on 02/03/2019 08:48:00


Advertisement



02/3/2019 at 9:31am
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View marg6's Profile View Profile   Reply to marg6 Reply   Quote marg6 Quote  
Joined: 11/8/2016

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3126

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: 3  
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: 15
Site Nights 2018: 0

yes mrs bonce, but that doesn't answer the question of is your battery actually not doing its job for you? if your on rhu 90% of the time and the only time you are fully running off your battery is to use the motor mover and your current battery is doing that job no problems then why change something that doesn't need changing? basically the service person has only scared you into thinking something needs replacing when it clearly doesn't


02/3/2019 at 11:34am
 Location: Lichfield
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 450
View tango55's Profile View Profile   Reply to tango55 Reply   Quote tango55 Quote  
Joined: 15/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   9587

Site Reviews Total: 23
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 Reviews 2018: 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
Site Nights 2018: 0

The onboard charger serves it's purpose on a temporary basis because it only charges to a maximum of 80% of the battery's capacity therefore shortens the life of the battery. The advice is to remove the battery and connect to a smart charger once in a while as it charges to a higher capacity then remains on a float charge to avoid over gassing which is overheating leading to buckling of the internal plates. When I said that a battery needs a bit of TLC that's exactly what I mean because people think they can just connect the battery up and forget about it. There's plenty of information on the net you can read about so don't just take my word for it, check it out for yourself.


02/3/2019 at 12:40pm
 Location: Luton (no jokes plea
 Outfit: Coachman and Hyundai
View Mrs. Bonce's Profile View Profile   Reply to Mrs. Bonce Reply   Quote Mrs. Bonce Quote  
Joined: 05/6/2006

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   12699

Site Reviews Total: 384
Site Reviews 2024: 21 
Site Reviews 2023: 26 
Site Reviews 2022: 37 
Site Reviews 2021: 26 
Site Reviews 2020: 11 
Site Reviews 2019: 30 
Site Reviews 2018: 31 
Site Nights 2024: 102
Site Nights 2023: 119
Site Nights 2022: 154
Site Nights 2021: 140
Site Nights 2020: 63
Site Nights 2019: 132
Site Nights 2018: 134

Thanks, told OH and he says it's a lot of hassle, which it is as the battery is a tight fit, now have to persuade him that it's worth it...


02/3/2019 at 1:20pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: None Entered
View saxo1's Profile View Profile   Reply to saxo1 Reply   Quote saxo1 Quote  
Joined: 29/10/2005

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   4489

Site Reviews Total: 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 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

My battery has been connected to the mains for 14 years and still good!
saxo1


11/3/2019 at 9:00pm
 Location: Oxford
 Outfit: helsport Kongsvold
View chappers2341's Profile View Profile   Reply to chappers2341 Reply   Quote chappers2341 Quote  
Joined: 12/7/2011

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   818
Tent Reviews:   1

Site Reviews Total: 11
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

take the charger to the battery


Advertisement



12/3/2019 at 6:23am
 Location: Luton (no jokes plea
 Outfit: Coachman and Hyundai
View Mrs. Bonce's Profile View Profile   Reply to Mrs. Bonce Reply   Quote Mrs. Bonce Quote  
Joined: 05/6/2006

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   12699

Site Reviews Total: 384
Site Reviews 2024: 21 
Site Reviews 2023: 26 
Site Reviews 2022: 37 
Site Reviews 2021: 26 
Site Reviews 2020: 11 
Site Reviews 2019: 30 
Site Reviews 2018: 31 
Site Nights 2024: 102
Site Nights 2023: 119
Site Nights 2022: 154
Site Nights 2021: 140
Site Nights 2020: 63
Site Nights 2019: 132
Site Nights 2018: 134

Thanks, will get OH yo do that.


23/3/2019 at 1:57pm
 Location: Tidbury Green
 Outfit: Swift Fairway SE 442
View Tidburyboy's Profile View Profile   Reply to Tidburyboy Reply   Quote Tidburyboy Quote  
Joined: 03/9/2009

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   1443
Tent Reviews:   2

Site Reviews Total: 17
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 1  
Site Reviews 2022: 2  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 2  
Site Reviews 2018: 2  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 7
Site Nights 2022: 12
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 15
Site Nights 2018: 2

Quote: Originally posted by tango55 on 02/3/2019
The onboard charger serves it's purpose on a temporary basis because it only charges to a maximum of 80% of the battery's capacity therefore shortens the life of the battery. The advice is to remove the battery and connect to a smart charger once in a while as it charges to a higher capacity then remains on a float charge to avoid over gassing which is overheating leading to buckling of the internal plates. When I said that a battery needs a bit of TLC that's exactly what I mean because people think they can just connect the battery up and forget about it. There's plenty of information on the net you can read about so don't just take my word for it, check it out for yourself.



Yikes, now I'm confused. I was under the impression that my 'vans charging system is effectively a "Smart" charger. Have I got that wrong? Would appreciate any advice.



-------------
2022 Skoda Karoq 2.0 Tdi


10/4/2019 at 9:51pm
 Location: manchester
 Outfit: Relum Florida and Custom Built Trailer
View ironox's Profile View Profile   Reply to ironox Reply   Quote ironox Quote  
Joined: 19/6/2011

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   4
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: 1  
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: 2
Site Nights 2018: 0

The most important thing with leisure batteries is to keep them charged, my last battery lasted about 10 years it was a 75ah Numax Platinum.

-------------
Love my canvas!
Edale Feb 2019
Ingleton Falls April 2019


11/4/2019 at 1:03am
 Location: Lichfield
 Outfit: Coachman Amara 450
View tango55's Profile View Profile   Reply to tango55 Reply   Quote tango55 Quote  
Joined: 15/5/2008

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   9587

Site Reviews Total: 23
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 Reviews 2018: 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
Site Nights 2018: 0

Quote: Originally posted by Tidburyboy on 23/3/2019
Quote: Originally posted by tango55 on 02/3/2019
The onboard charger serves it's purpose on a temporary basis because it only charges to a maximum of 80% of the battery's capacity therefore shortens the life of the battery. The advice is to remove the battery and connect to a smart charger once in a while as it charges to a higher capacity then remains on a float charge to avoid over gassing which is overheating leading to buckling of the internal plates. When I said that a battery needs a bit of TLC that's exactly what I mean because people think they can just connect the battery up and forget about it. There's plenty of information on the net you can read about so don't just take my word for it, check it out for yourself.



Yikes, now I'm confused. I was under the impression that my 'vans charging system is effectively a "Smart" charger. Have I got that wrong? Would appreciate any advice.





No, the caravan's onboard charger is not considered as a smart charger and like I said, check it out for yourself as the link below confirms what I said but in much more detail. Hope this helps.


Link





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...














6259 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