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Sorry if this is a stupid question but bear with me I'm new!!

So question is will the leisure battery on my van gather charge as it is plugged into mains? Tried to use lights on battery tonight and nothing completely dead but as van hasnt been used for 2 years this doesnt surprise me but if I plug the van into the mains on the drive will this then charge up the battery or do I need a seperate charger? and do I need to switch the switch inside the van to battery while its charging?

Thanks as always.

Depends, to make sure take the battery out and charge it . Two years is a long time to leave a battery in a van connected without any maintenance.It probably wont take a charge after that period of time.To see if the van has a charger put a volt metre across the battery terminals when the van is connected to the 240 volts,you should get a reading around 3 to 6 amps A lecky will give you more advice ,one will soon reply to your question and give you more griff. 

If you get a reading, no, it means you have a built in charger.

She's an older lady - a 1992 Swift Challenger 490-5

Ive yet to open up the battery box (accessable from the outside which is handy) and look whats in there!!

Quote: Originally posted by mrshorsy on 29/4/2010

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So would I need to buy a battery charger to do this with?

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Hi Mrshorsy,The 12v system in the caravan is supplied from a power supply unit in the caravan (PSU) this also charges the battery when you are on mains electric hook up,but it will only charge a battery to aprox 80%. Providing the van control panel switches are in the correct position you should get a 12v supply in the caravan even without a battery fitted. as your battery has been standing for 2 years it is probably U S.You could try a MULTI stage charger (also known as Smart chargers) that has a PULSE charge facility this may revitalise the battery over several days of charging. a charger such as the C-Tek xs3600 would be a good investment as it will charge a battery fully & revitalise it & a battery can be left on charge over winter with no damage.A good buy is the ALDI & Lidle chargers at £14 when they are available.

Its advisable to fully charge a caravan battery using such a charger 3 monthly In order to keep it in top condition,personaly I use such a charger each time I return from a spell away

By the way even if you buy a new battery it will need boost charging to full capacity before use & the caravan charger will not do this