Home Log in or Register

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Camping and Caravanning Equipment

Topic: Life support and navigation

brendajorsler

24/7/2005 at 9:59pm
Location: Rawreth Essex
Outfit: Talbot auto-sleeper

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 21/7/2005

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 280

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

New to campervanning and trying to learn!!
Hubby is the 'pilot and waste disposal' and I am 'life support and navigation'
How can I find out if my leisure battery is getting low without having to wait for it to go flat. Is there a meter of any type with easy plain English instructions? Then if it seems low can I use a small solar panel to help top up my leisure battery?
What type of 'things' can I plug into my little 12volt sockets?
Thanks folks

Arfur

24/7/2005 at 10:10pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: None Entered

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 16/3/2005

Silver Member

Forum Posts: 139

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

I always find the best aid to topping up one's leisure battery is either wine or beer or both, you don't really need a meter to measure whether you are in need of wine or beer as I always find it is the best policy to just slurp it down anyway just in case!!

You will probably find that there are a few slurpers on here, welcome to the site

Post last edited on 24/07/2005 22:11:21

brendajorsler

24/7/2005 at 10:28pm
Location: Rawreth Essex
Outfit: Talbot auto-sleeper

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 21/7/2005

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 280

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

Yes, I agree. It's when we have 'slurped' that I want to ensure the lights work in the van to prevent falling over whilst retiring to bed. Should we fall over and spill the next days 'vino' that would be a disaster prevented if we had a piece of equipment to test battery.

Louisann

24/7/2005 at 10:42pm
Location: Glasgow
Outfit: Bunk in Mum and Dads van

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 24/7/2005

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 10

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

You could use a simple multimeter from somewhere like Maplin to test the battery.

Solar panel can be used to help keep it topped up.

If you don't stay too long in one place it should get a good top-up while you are driving.

12v runs lights, water pump. Fanmaster (if fitted ). You could use 12v to power a small TV, charge your mobile phone. Anything more will drain the battery.

brendajorsler

24/7/2005 at 10:57pm
Location: Rawreth Essex
Outfit: Talbot auto-sleeper

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 21/7/2005

Gold Member

Forum Posts: 280

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

Thanks for that. I'll look for the multimeter. There are two little sockets in the van (not ciggy lighters) that are 12v. My lights/water pump and extractor run off the leisure battery and I wondered what I could fit onto the small 12v socket plugs and use? As you say maybe a small 12v t.v. but I can't think of much else to use them for. My mobile charges from ciggy lighter.

Louisann

24/7/2005 at 11:08pm
Location: Glasgow
Outfit: Bunk in Mum and Dads van

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 24/7/2005

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 10

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

I think they are mainly intended for something like a TV. We have a 12v socket to ciggy lighter socket adaptor for our caravan and use it to plug in GPS, and extra coolbox when on EHU. Also to charge phones as our socket in the car only has power when the engine is running. On EHU we just use our regular chargers.

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

Printable version

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

3634 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