Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums

Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
  Caravans and Caravanning
Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Dead Battery Post Reply Post New Topic
12/3/2012 at 1:19pm
 Location: Ballyclare Northern Ireland
 Outfit: Lunar Quasar 546 - BMW 320D touring XD
View surgi78's Profile View Profile   Reply to surgi78 Reply   Quote surgi78 Quote  
Joined: 23/4/2010

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   9

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

Hi Guys,

Battery appears dead after the winter. Do caravans have a built in charger, I.e. if I plug it into the mains with it charge my battery?

Thanks
Mark


12/3/2012 at 1:28pm
 Location: Keswick
 Outfit: Bailey
View cwdc56768's Profile View Profile   Reply to cwdc56768 Reply   Quote cwdc56768 Quote  
Joined: 11/12/2009

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3150

Site Reviews Total: 8
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

Your model of van should have a charger (but check the handbook). If you put the van on EHU it will charge the battery, after a fashion.  If it is dead, really dead, say registering 6V or less on multimeter, you will probably need a new battery. The charger in a van never fully charges a battery and so a caravan battery should be put on to a trickle charging leisure battery charger at least once a year, maybe more often depending upon how long you leave the van between trips. Over winter it should be removed from the van and regularly charged up during those winter months when the van is laid up.

A charger suitable for leisure batteries is a worthwhile investment

Phil



-------------
If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe    


Discounted Insurance Quotes for UKCampsite.co.uk visitors! Up to 12.5% off!
UKCampsite.co.uk users are rewarded with up to 12.5% off Caravan Guard touring caravan insurance, folding camper and trailer tent insurance, and 5% off motorhome and campervan insurance. Static caravan insurance is also available. Get an online quote now

12/3/2012 at 3:32pm
 Location:  Surrey
 Outfit: Peugeot Boxer Utah + Lunar Ariva
View beanpark's Profile View Profile   Reply to beanpark Reply   Quote beanpark Quote  
Joined: 23/1/2011

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1839

Site Reviews Total: 4
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

We learnt too late, we did try to charge ours but it had cells dead do was advised to change it. Learnt the hard way, as we forgot to put the onboard charger on so we ran a new one out even on electrics. Stupid we left the switch on whilst going form site to site without knowing what the darn switch was for. Not done it since.

 Taken out for winter as advised, just ticking it over with charge now and again trickling through



-------------
Chrissie

Be Strong-Think positive.


12/3/2012 at 4:28pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View magsruby's Profile View Profile   Reply to magsruby Reply   Quote magsruby Quote  
Joined: 29/8/2011

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   426

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 wouldn't expect a car to sit for months on end & still be able to start. Caravan batteries aren't that different.

When I bought my caravan it had stood for over 2 years. The owner had removed the battery & charged it up every 2 months with a normal battery charger (not a smart charger). It's brilliant. I've even checked it with a Battery Discharge Meter (sometimes called a Drop Tester), & it shows it as being in very good condition.

A well looked after leisure battery should give you good service for at least 6 or 7 years, if not more.

Once again I will post these 2 links, which are very handy for info about batteries.....

Laymens Guide to Batteries

Car & Deep Cycle Battery FAQs

They should keep you well informed.

-------------
Matt.


12/3/2012 at 4:51pm
 Location: NE Scotland
 Outfit: Bailey Phoenix + CRV
View oxter's Profile View Profile   Reply to oxter Reply   Quote oxter Quote  
Joined: 02/10/2003

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3894

Site Reviews Total: 83
Site Reviews 2024: 3  
Site Reviews 2023: 2  
Site Reviews 2022: 7  
Site Reviews 2021: 2  
Site Reviews 2020: 2  
Site Reviews 2019: 6  
Site Reviews 2018: 8  
Site Nights 2024: 14
Site Nights 2023: 14
Site Nights 2022: 47
Site Nights 2021: 14
Site Nights 2020: 11
Site Nights 2019: 36
Site Nights 2018: 8

With some onboard chargers the surge would blow a fuse.  Better to remove and try on a trickle charger first.  Should tell you if it has gone altogether.

It's easy to forget that a status aerial (or any electrical item like a light) if left powered up will drain a battery after a while and the ongoing discharge might well damage it.  Most motor factors and some accessory outlets will test your battery for you once you have charged it up. Keep your fingers crossed because a leisure battery is not cheap.



-------------
playing at tinkies


Advertisement



12/3/2012 at 5:26pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
View magsruby's Profile View Profile   Reply to magsruby Reply   Quote magsruby Quote  
Joined: 29/8/2011

Gold Member
Gold Member

Forum Posts:   426

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

Many trickle chargers won't even begin to charge a battery if it's very low, as they won't register a charge to begin with.

A good idea is to use some jump leads from a known good battery or from your car, with the engine running, for a few minutes, just to bump up the voltage a bit, then transfer it to a good charger, smart charger or trickle charger, to finish it off.
Once disconnected from it's charge source you can begin testing to see if it's worth keeping.

You can actually get a brand new 85amp/hr leisure battery on ebay, with a 2 or 3 year guarantee for about £50 delivered. So not the end of the world, but not a mistake you'd want to make every season.

-------------
Matt.



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 - Caravans and Caravanning - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...














5697 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


Advertisement


Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar


Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder