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Subject Topic: Leaving van connected to mains in storage
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PersonBill Shepard
20/1/2015 at 12:10am
 Location: Cotswolds
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My apologies if this has been covered before, but I couldn't find it!
I have just moved my van into covered storage and found that electricity is available. Several vans around mine have leads permanently connected, presumably to keep their batteries charged (no owners ever around to ask). Is it safe to use the van's built-in charger, leaving it connected permanently whilst in storage? Or must I use a separate charger/conditioner? Van is a 2013 Bailey Orion.
Thanks in advance for any advice.


PersonGrampian91
20/1/2015 at 12:17am
 Location: Midlands
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I wouldnt. If you could fit a timer and get it to come on once or twice a month then possibly.

But i dont think the units are designed to be on for extended periods. You wont be there to check the battery water levels so risk damaging it.

Do you have items in the van draining the battery alarm & tracker etc? If not the battery will hold its charge for quite a while.

Still ideal if you can charge it monthly to keep it in peak condition.


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Personfleck2
20/1/2015 at 6:23am
 Location: Derbyshire
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I disagree, the charger is designed to be left on for long periods and will go into trickle charge mode to keep the battery at full charge. Our Motorhome is plugged in all winter and the charger keeps the battery at a 'float' charge of 13.8v which isn't high enough to cause gassing.


PersonSteved28
20/1/2015 at 8:05am
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Quote: Originally posted by fleck2 on 20/1/2015
I disagree, the charger is designed to be left on for long periods and will go into trickle charge mode to keep the battery at full charge. Our Motorhome is plugged in all winter and the charger keeps the battery at a 'float' charge of 13.8v which isn't high enough to cause gassing.


No sure we have a Bailey Pegasus 2010 and just before Christmas we could smell the battery in the storage we keep it.
The battery was so hot it was not far away from catching fire ,we left it plugged in all the time.
I spoke to the manufactures of the inboard supposed battery charger and was informed never leave it plugged in all the time whilst being stored as it just puts out a supply to the battery it's not a proper charger that floats or trickle charges just puts out one output.

Hope this helps



PersonBilly....
20/1/2015 at 8:25am
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If caravan is not being used all winter then bring battery home & trickle charge it overnight once a month will preserve battery better.


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PersonTaylor56
20/1/2015 at 9:05am
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I use an Optimate smart charger in my garage for my motorcycle battery,i also use a Sakura smart charger for the caravan battery which I take off during the winter.
The Optimate is better because if the power is cut it starts up on its own but the Sakura has to be re set.
Both have looked after my battery's for years.


Personfleck2
20/1/2015 at 9:57am
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Oh, I stand corrected. I thought all vans and caravans had proper 3 stage chargers.
I have an optimate charger too bought it for a motorcycle about 10 years ago, excellent charger/maintainer.


Personfleck2
20/1/2015 at 10:01am
 Location: Derbyshire
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This site has lots of battery charging info:

http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/charging_the_lead_acid_battery


PersonGrampian91
20/1/2015 at 2:01pm
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I bring my battery home and charge it monthly or so.

Sometimes i use it to power some lights or a motor for a bit to cycle it then leave the CTEK charger on it for a week or so.

Time flies because it hadnt noticed that the battery is about 8 years old...


Personsaxo1
20/1/2015 at 2:06pm
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I have my van hooked up to the mains 24/7/365 and it hasn't damaged the battery which is now 12 years old.
saxo1


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PersonBill Terry
20/1/2015 at 2:13pm
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Always left my van on the mains on site, Keeps the tracker,alarm, and main battery charged, As am to far away from the van to switch the mains on, done this now for 10yrs, no probs at all.

-------------
Roughing it in style at Calloose caravan and camping holiday park nr St Ives.(seasonal pitch)
Its not a hangover, its wine flu!


nant mill.N/Wales
just dont go there.


PersonG7ACU
20/1/2015 at 10:23pm
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Well, the Op's had a mixed bag of responses with some for and some against.

Personally, I would side with caution and if the Op doesn't have any power reliant equipment (alarm etc), then I'd bring the battery back home to maintain off a smart charger; I use a C-Tek MXS 5.0.

Although it's unlikely anything hazardous would occur if left connected in storage, I wouldn't fancy the risk to either my van or the others in storage.

-------------
Paul

Every day's a school day!


Personsooty
21/1/2015 at 1:44pm
 Location: Long Eaton Nottingham
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We have a smart charger and keep that plugged in all winter. It keeps the battery charged to the correct level. If you use the caravan charger and leave it on all the time it can cook your battery and lessen its life. The smart charger is brilliant. Charging it up in summer with that when going away on non electric sites the battery lasts well because it is charged properly. It is worth investing in one.

-------------
* * Sue * *


Personsaxo1
21/1/2015 at 4:26pm
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"If you use the caravan charger and leave it on all the time it can cook your battery and lessen its life"

I can't believe that a caravan manufacturer would fit a charger that could damage a battery or pose a risk of fire.
As I said before mine has been on charge for 12 years and is still OK,readng posts on here It would appear that 12 years is exceptional for a battery and perhaps the reason that batteries don't last is because they are removed from the van and not kept fully charged.
saxo1


Persondavid8858
23/1/2015 at 9:41am
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Our van lives on the drive and with both this one a 2009 Bailey Pageant and the first van a 1994 Bailey Beachcomber we kept them plugged in to the mains and have had no problems in 10 years.

I agree with those who have already said the Zig unit is designed for charging on demand and will trickle charge thus keeping the battery topped up.

The leisure battery on the first one lasted 6 years and got transferred to the new van. The replacement has been on for just over 3 years and is still fine having sufficient power to supply the mover.

-------------
Best Regards

David


PersonSGThomas
23/1/2015 at 10:03am
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Quote: Originally posted by saxo1 on 20/1/2015
I have my van hooked up to the mains 24/7/365 and it hasn't damaged the battery which is now 12 years old.
saxo1


I agree

As we keep our caravan in the garage, it is continuously connected with no obvious problems. There is no heating of the battery.

Looks as though we have at least another 10 years to go.



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