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Subject Topic: battery Post Reply Post New Topic
Personjredman37
31/12/2013 at 6:20pm
 Location: blackburn
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what is best procedure for battery upkeep winter/summer.


PersonJTQU
31/12/2013 at 6:42pm
 Location: Hampshire
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In whatever way it is done to keep it fully charged throughout.
My method is to leave it in the caravan, on an EHU, however the van features a quality "smart charger".


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VangoMan02
31/12/2013 at 6:44pm
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I would recommend a smart charger, there are several on the market. I use a Ctek mxs 5 which I like.

Will charge fully then monitor and charge as required.

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It is a wise man who has something to say.
It is a fool who has to say something.


PersonMa+Pa Clampett.
02/1/2014 at 8:28am
 Location:  Lancashire
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I have a circa 1960's battery charger which allows me to trickle charge car and leisure batteries at a very slow rate to prevent plate damage and and extend the life of the battery.It will also allow faster charging if need be,but slow and steady seems to be the best way,from totally flat my leisure battery took around 8 days tofully charge at a slow trickle.I have left mine in the caravan over winter,so it will be coming home soon to be checked and charged ready to go.

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If the moon reflects the suns light,why does it not reflect the suns heat?


Personjredman37
02/1/2014 at 7:29pm
 Location: blackburn
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Thanks all and Happy New Year to everyone.Must invest in a smart charger.ps could I not just send my old one to uni ?


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VangoMan02
02/1/2014 at 8:11pm
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PersonBadBoyBushy
02/1/2014 at 9:22pm
 Location: Essex
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First question to answer is does your battery power your caravans alarm. If yes then for obvious reasons it must be left in the van and the charge level checked regularly. You should be able to safely remove it for a week to recharge it as the alarm will have a back up which will last for 1-2 weeks (but check this with your hand book).
If your battery does not power the alarm, and you do not have solar panels, then it is best removed and kept on trickle charge, or if this is not possible, place an occasional load on the battery to simulate use and recharge as required (I have used an old car spot lamp in the past as this draws a good level of current, but not enough to flatten the battery overly fast, and charged every 2-3 weeks).
One other option is to leave it in place and to connect a   solar charger to it to keep it topped up. These can be picked up on ebay from around £15.
When charging your battery at home, remember to use a smart charger. This is a charger that will reduce the current supplied to the battery as it charges unlike some car chargers which supply full current all the time. Most modern car chargers will do this, but avoid the cheap ones. Look for ones advertised as 3 (or more) stage chargers - something like this one https://www.cromwell.co.uk/KEN5030350K


PersonG7ACU
03/1/2014 at 6:24pm
 Location: West Mids
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I can vouch for the C-Tek that VangoMan has mentioned.
These are an excellent smart-charger and the model quoted has a full maintenance and recondition mode too.
There are cheaper models available from the like of Aldi, Lidl etc., but I found these cheaper units unreliable (probably unlucky as many claim they are ok but I had two fail quickly).

I will remove the battery and leave in the garage on charge, just checking periodically. I will discharge it several times, but this practice hasn't failed me at all yet.

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Paul

Every day's a school day!


Persongeowyn
03/1/2014 at 7:43pm
 Location: south shields
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I remove and keep in garage, I've an aldi charger and when I go in the garage connect till it indicates full charge, I buy most of my electrical good from aldi or lidi as all come with a 3 year guarantee, any bit of kit that has gone wrong has been changed or money back.
Geordie


PersonDaveCoaches
05/1/2014 at 4:42pm
 Location: None Entered
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It's not always possible to leave the battery on charge. Many people have caravans in storage with no EHU and need a battery left on to power trackers and alarms. In this case, the only alternatives are to routinely swap the battery, taking one home for recharging, or a solar charger.


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Personjanus
05/1/2014 at 4:50pm
 Location: Rochdale
 Outfit: Hymer Nova 470 Mondeo titanium 140tdc View janus's Profile View Profile   Reply to janus Reply   Quote janus Quote  
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I have always left my battery in the van and pluged it in every two or three months to top up the charge.. My spare battery ( now ten years old ) sits in my garage on the bench and gets a top up every threee months or so.

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Bill

For a licence dated 1997 or later you must add together the plated max weight of the caravan and trailer, if the total is 3500 or less you can tow it. You may even tow a caravan with a MAM greater than the cars unladen mass the restriction was removed in 2013

Mondeo Titanium 140 tdci



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