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Subject Topic: 12v leisure battery when towing Post Reply Post New Topic
PersonSoftguy
08/12/2015 at 10:48am
 Location: NORTH CORNELLY SOUT
 Outfit: Bailey Pursuit 550-4 View Softguy's Profile View Profile   Reply to Softguy Reply   Quote Softguy Quote  
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Collected my caravan from storage, went to use my motor mover for the 2nd time to find the caravan leisure battery flat, brought battery home and trickle charged. The motor mover isolation switch was off but I know the Master switch was left on, maybe the radio on 'standby' drained the battery ?.   When leaving the caravan and / or towing does the master switch on the caravan panel need to be off ?   It's a Bailey Ranger 2009


PersonHairywol
08/12/2015 at 3:07pm
 Location: Teesside
 Outfit: Challenger Sport 524 + Volvo V90 D5 View Hairywol's Profile View Profile   Reply to Hairywol Reply   Quote Hairywol Quote  
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When storing your caravan for any length of time your black master button must be turned off, otherwise the small amount of current to keep the control panel, radio and 12v electrics energised will drain the battery.

When towing the black master button can be on or off, though I put it on so the car electrics can keep the fridge cold.

I do hope your battery's OK after charging - leisure batteries can be ruined by completely discharging, so unless you have a solar panel trickle charging the battery you should remove the battery for charging every month or so.

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Persontango55
08/12/2015 at 3:27pm
 Location: Lichfield
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A leisure battery will slowly lose it's charge anyway over time so it needs to be re-charged fully at least once a month preferably with a smart charger which charges in stages. Some trickle chargers are not up to the job as they only charge in milliamps which I found out having only two years usage out of 2 batteries over 4 years. Since using a smart charger I now leave it connected and switched on 24/7 at home so I have a fully charged battery each time I set off.


PersonENOCH
08/12/2015 at 4:16pm
 Location: TEESSIDE
 Outfit: SWIFT FAIRWAY 530 View ENOCH's Profile View Profile   Reply to ENOCH Reply   Quote ENOCH Quote  
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We have a solar panel on the roof of our van and thought that would be enough to keep the battery charged between trips, unfortunately this does not seem to be the case. A recent visit to our van in storage found the battery to be discharged, took it home and it has been on a smart charger since, will be trying it on the van sometime before our next trip. We had forgotten to turn off the electrics with the isolation switch under the seat on the power unit, hopefully the battery will have recovered.


PersonSoftguy
08/12/2015 at 4:42pm
 Location: NORTH CORNELLY SOUT
 Outfit: Bailey Pursuit 550-4 View Softguy's Profile View Profile   Reply to Softguy Reply   Quote Softguy Quote  
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Many thanks to all. Question well and truly answered. Thanks again & Happy Christmas, New Year and looking forward to Spring and Summer.


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Personmrclooney
08/12/2015 at 4:56pm
 Location: castleford
 Outfit: bailey pageant champagne View mrclooney's Profile View Profile   Reply to mrclooney Reply   Quote mrclooney Quote  
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some good info there ,for us learners

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when you reach the crossroads ,get the sat nav out


PersonG7ACU
08/12/2015 at 5:19pm
 Location: West Mids
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Quote: Originally posted by ENOCH on 08/12/2015
We have a solar panel on the roof of our van and thought that would be enough to keep the battery charged between trips ... We had forgotten to turn off the electrics with the isolation switch under the seat.

Been there too.
The roof panel isn't quite sufficient all year round, although I have found it ok in the summer months. The alarm has an integral battery, but this periodically recharges from the leisure battery once the alarm battery has reached a certain voltage.
The on-board electrics (displays, charging circuit, sensors etc) have quite an impact on the leisure battery in the Swift set-up too, IF the shut-down switch hasn't been used, so lets hope the discharge in your case isn't terminal; I killed my original battery but it was a good age, so no huge loss.
I won't happen twice


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Paul

Every day's a school day!


Personnavver
08/12/2015 at 7:00pm
 Location: West country
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Had this email response from Bailey. Ours was 2009 -2010

Thank you for your email regarding your Bailey Ranger GT60 520-4

The illumination on the voltmeter cannot be switched off, it is an LED and power draw will be approx. 10mA.

There is no visual indication that the fridge is working whilst being towed.

The caravan battery will be charged whilst towing via pin 10, the same supply as the fridge.

The master switch controls every 12v function except the 12v light in the fridge(all fridge controls must be in off position for light not to operate when door is opened and the self testing feature on the charging system (only draws maximum of 5mA).

There is no indicator to show 230v function, unfortunately fridge manufacturers no longer fit either mains or 12v indicator lights.


PersonGrampian91
08/12/2015 at 9:45pm
 Location: Midlands
 Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram View Grampian91's Profile View Profile   Reply to Grampian91 Reply   Quote Grampian91 Quote  
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A single 10mA LED could draw 2 amps a week, possibly less but with the cold weather also affecting the battery just a single LED could take its toll.

If there is a voltmeter or coltage sensing circuit then that can also help drain it.


Personnavver
09/12/2015 at 10:11pm
 Location: West country
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I initially had concerns about battery draw but after that email I always switched the fridge to off and switched all four switches on the control panel off and did not have a problem with the 110Ah battery running flat.

We didn't use the van much and had a motor mover which I always had to use to get the van up our drive when I removed the van from storage 2 miles away. I don't think it charged much in that journey.

I didn't use the mover to hitch up at the storage as I was pretty good at lining it all up by reversing albeit I had to get out a couple of times to judge the distance. and found it easier than engaging and disengaging the mover.

I removed the battery over winter and charged occasionally.


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Personlexie71
09/12/2015 at 11:09pm
 Location: Devon
 Outfit: Swift challenger 540 View lexie71's Profile View Profile   Reply to lexie71 Reply   Quote lexie71 Quote  
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would it not be easier to take battery home with you keep a eye on voltage better than leaving it in van with the hope it will charge its self most storage yards do not supply electric so how does ones battery recharge


Personnavver
10/12/2015 at 7:29pm
 Location: West country
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If it's anything like mine was it was a pig to get in and out and to carry.

It just fitted in the battery compartment with very little room for connections. It weighed a ton and broke my back every time I had to lift it.

I would certainly not want to do that very often.


PersonAndy Higham
10/12/2015 at 8:06pm
 Location: Bolton Lancs
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I always disconnect the battery when caravan is not in use. I now have an isolation switch to make it easier.



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