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Subject Topic: charging battery Post Reply Post New Topic
Personsteve2020
18/10/2009 at 10:05pm
 Location: Stafford
 Outfit: ABI Manhatten View steve2020's Profile View Profile   Reply to steve2020 Reply   Quote steve2020 Quote  
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I have an ABI Manhatten and have only recently aquired a "S" socket on my motor so this weekend I hooked up the caravan to test it out, I've discovered that my fridge is working off it but my leisure battery doesn't seem to be charging. The engine was running on my car for approx' 2 hrs and I connected a multimeter directly to the leisure battery with a reading of 15.2volts being given. However when i checked the caravan battery status meter it read zero. I'm very confused about it all, Is there anybody that can help me out with this I'd be very grateful.


Personmichael
18/10/2009 at 10:26pm
 Location: Lancashire
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sounds like it is charging fine but the battery is not taking it,could be a duff battery. the reading on the battery should be 12.7 for fully charged.

Looking after your Leisure Battery



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the only silly question is the one you do not ask.


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PersonTricky0001979
18/10/2009 at 11:41pm
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Double Check that you've set fridge to run off battery.


Personsteve2020
19/10/2009 at 4:53pm
 Location: Stafford
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Thanks for your replies Michael & Tricky.
I need to add that I tested the battery with a multi meter which gave me a reading of 14.8v but all my on board lights don't turn on and my status meter os zero. It was all working fine when i put it back in storage about 6-7 weeks ago.


PersonAndrewK
19/10/2009 at 7:34pm
 Location: Oldham
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Quote: I connected a multimeter directly to the leisure battery with a reading of 15.2volts being given
This is high, even for a battery that is still on charge. Both car and caravan systems usually charge the battery to about 13.8volts (2.3 volts per cell on charge), which is around the point at which the battery starts gassing significantly.

A voltage of 15.2 volts (2.53 volts per cell) is close to the highest that a lead acid battery can be charge. If charging were to continue beyond this, you'd boil the electrolyte off pretty quickly. It is possible that your battery is already crackered.

Cheers
Andrew

Andrew


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Personnavver
19/10/2009 at 7:49pm
 Location: West country
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Assuming its a modern caravan, there is a relay in the caravan that disconnects all the caravan 12 volt circuits whilst it is plugged into the 12S socket with the car engine running. It does this so only the fridge and the battery charging work whilst you are towing.

When you switch the engine off, the fridge should stop working and the relay should switch the power to the caravan 12volt lights etc.


Personsteve2020
19/10/2009 at 8:35pm
 Location: Stafford
 Outfit: ABI Manhatten View steve2020's Profile View Profile   Reply to steve2020 Reply   Quote steve2020 Quote  
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A voltage of 15.2 volts (2.53 volts per cell) is close to the highest that a lead acid battery can be charge. If charging were to continue beyond this, you'd boil the electrolyte off pretty quickly. It is possible that your battery is already crackered.

Thanks Andrew

I'll have to take the battery out and get it tested somewhere.

Regards

Steve



Hi Navver


I checked the lights and battery status gauge in the van whilst the engine was running so I'll do what youv'e suggested and try with car engine off. I reckon you've hit the nail on the head fella.

Many thanks for your suggestions guys me and the mrs will be well chuffed if we can get it to charge the battery and keep the fridge cool whilst we're travelling.

I love this forum


Personnavver
19/10/2009 at 8:50pm
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Sorry just to clarify. With the van connected to the car and engine off, the caravan lights work from the car battery. You need to unplug from the car to make them work on the caravan battery.


Personsteve2020
19/10/2009 at 8:54pm
 Location: Stafford
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Quote: Originally posted by navver on 19/10/2009
Sorry just to clarify. With the van connected to the car and engine off, the caravan lights work from the car battery. You need to unplug from the car to make them work on the caravan battery.

Yep will try the light and battery status without car connected, I have a marker bulb to replace so will probably pop down to the storage compound next weekend and do both.

Thanks navver


PersonJTQU
19/10/2009 at 9:05pm
 Location: Hampshire
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You will with modern cars that feature high performance cadmium alloyed lead acid batteries see 15.2 volts.
With these cars the caravan ought to be fitted with a regulating controller that limits the voltage applied to the leisure battery to 14.3 peak and 13.8 sustained.
I am not up to speed with UK van's but back in 2002 our German van already featured such a regulating controller.


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Personmichael
19/10/2009 at 9:10pm
 Location: Lancashire
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my caravan is charged daily for a few hours and maintains a battery voltage of 13.5 volts on the meter.

-------------
the only silly question is the one you do not ask.


Personsteve2020
31/10/2009 at 12:41pm
 Location: Stafford
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Quote: Originally posted by navver on 19/10/2009
Sorry just to clarify. With the van connected to the car and engine off, the caravan lights work from the car battery. You need to unplug from the car to make them work on the caravan battery.

Thanks Navver

I've just been down to my van and connected up my motor via the s socket I left the engine running for an hr or so whilst i changed a marker bulb and did a few other little jobs. I then disconnected the s socket as you said and hey presto my interior van lights came on and my battery status meter is reading 13v..Top man navver thanks for your help...(result)

Steve2020


Personnavver
31/10/2009 at 8:30pm
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So nice when a seemingly big problem has a very simple answer.



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