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: Battery drain Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonThe_boys
11/3/2013 at 2:18pm
 Location: Southampton
 Outfit: ABI Globestar View The_boys's Profile View Profile   Reply to The_boys Reply   Quote The_boys Quote  
Joined: 12/5/2011

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   138
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 2
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
Having just spent a long weekend in the van giving the battery a full charge and the van a clean to get rid of the winter blues. I noticed that the battery is easily drained by using a single light (which runs off the battery). You can actually see the battery indicator on the wall slowly reduce over a matter of minutes. It has a brand new battery so am wondering if this would be an earth issue? Any ideas?

Being an old van I was surprised it was in perfect condition after the cold damp winter, no mould, but did find some condensation in one of the cupboards. All in all a solid van, just need to fix this electrical problem.


Personbirder99
11/3/2013 at 2:41pm
 Location: Cambs
 Outfit: Tin tent diddy tent BIG tent View birder99's Profile View Profile   Reply to birder99 Reply   Quote birder99 Quote  
Joined: 24/9/2010

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1847
Site Reviews Total: 3
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
Could be a short somewhere in the circuit or even a duff battery. You will need to stick an ammeter on the battery to see what load you have on it (be careful, if you don't know what you are doing get someone who does). If load is greater than the lamp you have on you will need to start investigating each circuit to find out what is happening. Does the battery discharge as rapidly without the lamp turned on?

-------------
'A sure cure for sea-sickness is to sit under a tree'


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

PersonThe_boys
11/3/2013 at 2:46pm
 Location: Southampton
 Outfit: ABI Globestar View The_boys's Profile View Profile   Reply to The_boys Reply   Quote The_boys Quote  
Joined: 12/5/2011

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   138
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 2
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
The battery is fine (we have two, one being a backup). The current battery was brand new.

We left the battery all over winter and it was still almost fully charged when we went last weekend. So in 5 months little discharge. Yes, I know we should have taken the battery home and regularly charged it, but we did intend to use the van more over winter but didn't get round to it.


Personbirder99
11/3/2013 at 4:28pm
 Location: Cambs
 Outfit: Tin tent diddy tent BIG tent View birder99's Profile View Profile   Reply to birder99 Reply   Quote birder99 Quote  
Joined: 24/9/2010

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1847
Site Reviews Total: 3
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
Think I would get the battery drop tested at an auto electrics place. It could show full voltage but is not capable of holding more than a small amount of charge which would explain a sudden drop in voltage. Without testing things it is going to be all guesses.

-------------
'A sure cure for sea-sickness is to sit under a tree'


PersonThe_boys
11/3/2013 at 4:39pm
 Location: Southampton
 Outfit: ABI Globestar View The_boys's Profile View Profile   Reply to The_boys Reply   Quote The_boys Quote  
Joined: 12/5/2011

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   138
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 2
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
Thanks Birder, do you think two batteries could be duff? Despite the current Battery which is new, holding charge for a few months.

As an example I put the awning light on and you can clearly watch the needle on the wall slowly go down. It never goes below half way. We have disabled the onboard charger for now as a test and have a standard battery charger to help boost the charge with a cut out for when it's full.

I've also noticed two of the ceiling light fittings have failed even with new bulbs so maybe if I cut the wiring and rule them out..............


Advertisement



Personthe black fox
11/3/2013 at 6:58pm
 Location: flint north wales
 Outfit: swift challenger 480se 2002 View the black fox's Profile View Profile   Reply to the black fox Reply   Quote the black fox Quote  
Joined: 15/5/2011

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1615
Site Reviews Total: 1
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
sounds like they have dropped there charge over the winter .best left on permanent charge in the garage really over winter ..a good charge at home over a week may cure it ,but its happened to us all .

if you usually go on mains hook up sites and are not relying on the battery for actual power ,recharge and put back in it just acts as a rectifier .if its needed for motor mover etc or rallying ,new battery needed

p.s don't dump them bulbs till you have tried with mains power going through


PersonThe_boys
11/3/2013 at 7:20pm
 Location: Southampton
 Outfit: ABI Globestar View The_boys's Profile View Profile   Reply to The_boys Reply   Quote The_boys Quote  
Joined: 12/5/2011

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   138
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 2
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
I think I'm confusing the issue............

The Battery is in good condition, brand new. The old Battery is still fairly new.

The Van is in storage and hasn't moved. After several months the battery has kept it's charge, but turning on say the awning light (which runs off battery) drains the battery within minutes.

So, I have mains hook up, so the wall lights work off mains, but as soon as I turn on awning light or ceiling lights the battery indicator goes down.


Persontimtheenchanter
11/3/2013 at 7:32pm
 Location: Yeadon Leeds!
 Outfit: Swift Challenger & Defender 110SW View timtheenchanter's Profile View Profile   Reply to timtheenchanter Reply   Quote timtheenchanter Quote  
Joined: 27/6/2005

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   3331
Site Reviews Total: 10
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
I doubt it has kept its full charge, give it a full charge off the van, and try it again, van chargers only take it to 80% anyway.

could be a duff cell, I had one do this, appeared to be charged, but couldnt handle any load.
I was told at the time that leisure batterys cant be drop tested like car battery can.


PersonThe_boys
11/3/2013 at 7:53pm
 Location: Southampton
 Outfit: ABI Globestar View The_boys's Profile View Profile   Reply to The_boys Reply   Quote The_boys Quote  
Joined: 12/5/2011

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   138
Tent Reviews:   1
Site Reviews Total: 2
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
I am using a Halfords battery charger aswell as the the onboard charger. So the battery is fully charged............


PersonFrancophile1947
11/3/2013 at 8:53pm
 Location: Norwich
 Outfit: Citroen Relay Campervan View Francophile1947's Profile View Profile   Reply to Francophile1947 Reply   Quote Francophile1947 Quote  
Joined: 23/1/2007

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1870
Site Reviews Total: 17
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
On board gauges are often inaccurate - get a cheap voltage tester and see what the batteries actually show.

-------------
Cheers
John


Advertisement



Personbirder99
11/3/2013 at 9:42pm
 Location: Cambs
 Outfit: Tin tent diddy tent BIG tent View birder99's Profile View Profile   Reply to birder99 Reply   Quote birder99 Quote  
Joined: 24/9/2010

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1847
Site Reviews Total: 3
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
The volt meter in the caravan will only show you the voltage that the battery can output and while that is normally a reasonable approximation to the state of charge it has no correlation to the amount of charge that the battery can hold. If the battery has gone duff it could still show a reasonable voltage but the only way to tell if the battery can output its designed charge is to do a drop test.

-------------
'A sure cure for sea-sickness is to sit under a tree'


Personthe black fox
11/3/2013 at 10:10pm
 Location: flint north wales
 Outfit: swift challenger 480se 2002 View the black fox's Profile View Profile   Reply to the black fox Reply   Quote the black fox Quote  
Joined: 15/5/2011

Diamond Member
Diamond Member

Forum Posts:   1615
Site Reviews Total: 1
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
the cold weather is the peril here ,although the battery shows charged its not as the others have tried to explain ,in reality it should be on charge all the time while the weather is cold ..take it home put it on charge and you MIGHT save it .doesn't matter what voltage it shows it will have been drained by the cold .

i.e i do a lot of wildlife photography ,we are advised in cold weather to have a fully charged battery as a spare but not in the camera bag ,kept in a trouser pocket to stay warm .


PersonAndy Higham
11/3/2013 at 10:22pm
 Location: Bolton Lancs
 Outfit: Bailey Orion 430-4 & Mitsubishi PHEV View Andy Higham's Profile View Profile   Reply to Andy Higham Reply   Quote Andy Higham Quote  
Joined: 25/12/2012

Platinum Member
Platinum Member

Forum Posts:   876
Site Reviews Total: 1
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
It is pointless reading on the voltmeter (battery indicator) unless the battery is under load, An almost flat battery can show in the green zone without load.
Give the battery a good charge and try the lights again



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...

7297 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