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Hi all, i keep my van on my drive and it is plugged into the garage so i can regularly use the electrics, run an electric heater etc. Is it ok to keep the van permanetly plugged in? Do i keep the charger switched on or does this damage the battery?

Many thanks

We also keep the van on the drive, and plugged in.

I have found it best to leave it charging for a coule of days to ensure battery is full, and then switch the mains off. Att he same time, I ALWAYS make sure the 12V master switch in the 'van is off. You will find silly things like the TV signal amp will flatten your battery in a short space of time, unless you kill the 12V master.

Usually I switch a light on after the master os off: that way if I caome back in the van in the dark: its just one switch .

I then make a point of switching ht mains back on for 1/2 or so every 2-4 weeks.

We found leaving the mains on permanently was destroying batteries.

Iain

We leave ours plugged in but only turn the caravan and charger on for about 12 hours just to charge the battery up. Don't think it takes that long though. Also turn the heating on for a little while just to keep it aired and free from condensation.

 Seems to work

Mines plugged in 24/7 at home, just with stuff turned off, charge my battery evey couple of weeks, never had any problems, I leave a fan heater in there on defrost, just warms enough to move the air around a bit, never had any condensation problems, on the nice sunny winter days I open up the sky lights.

I dont leave the charger on all the time as I dont think it does them or the battery any good.

JCB1-Same as saxo1, plugged in for the last 5yrs with no probs at all. same battery aswell.

 If i'm right you can't damage a battery when using a charger correctly, generally a battery fails because it's left discharged to long and the plates inside buckle and will no longer hold a charge.

I have a small electric heater on a timer for when it gets really cold, saves the alde heating being on all the time, save that for when were away.

works for me.

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baz

We have left ours on charge over the winter for several years. Never had a problem with the battery.

We don't put any heating on. We don't get any condensation. Vans have vents in them to allow air to circulate.

We have taken our battery out of the van and keep it in the garage so my OH charges it up every so often.  Presume this is okay?

Carol

'i have ours plugged in full time only on a timer in the shed outside,this switches on for 4 hours a day.'

This seems a good idea - I think I'll get a timer myself.

Quote: Originally posted by saxo1 on 09/11/2010

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Batteries have a self discharge rate of between app 3% at 20 deg C and up to 20% at 30 deg C per month when disconnected,this can be even higher for a battery that is nearing the end of it's life.
Saxo1

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