12v Problems

[SteveWesty]

Hi Everyone,
We have recently purchased a 2006 Swift Challenger 510 after our last van was written off in an accident. We have a problem with the 12v electrics, the 110amp battery that came with the van can be fully charged via the mains hookup and everything works fine. After leaving the van for a day with no 12v items turned on the battery is fully drained. I changed the battery for the one I had in my old caravan (which worked fine) again worked fine initially, but went to check at the storage site week later and again battery is fully drained.

Any ideas ?

Steve

 

[Damian]

How do you know the battery is fully charged on hook up?

What is the voltage reading at the battery terminals when not on hook up?

What is the battery voltage at the terminals when hook up is ON and charger is ON?

 

[SteveWesty]

Didn't check the battery that came with the caravan but my old battery had been charged at home before putting it in the caravan and it had been used in our previous van with no problems. In our previous van once fully charged this battery would last for months without loosing charge whilst in storage.

 

[Damian]

If your battery is in good condition, then there must be a current draw from something, most likely are fridge, heater fan, status aerial booster, radio.
You need to put an ammeter in line with the battery to see what is being pulled out.

 

[SteveWesty]

Will carry out some checks later this next week, will have a trip to the storage site.

Thanks for the replies
Steve

 

[brian_c]

Steve there is a small device you can get where you can remove your twelve volt fuses one by one and insert the blade end of the device and it will tell you if current is being drawn on that particular circuit. I'm sorry for the less than technical explanation but I feel sure one of the more knowledgable forum members will read your post and give you a name and even a link to the device I'm trying to describe. Hope you get the problem sorted quickly.
regards Brian

 

[Parksy]

Steve there is a small device you can get where you can remove your twelve volt fuses one by one and insert the blade end of the device and it will tell you if current is being drawn on that particular circuit. I'm sorry for the less than technical explanation but I feel sure one of the more knowledgable forum members will read your post and give you a name and even a link to the device I'm trying to describe. Hope you get the problem sorted quickly.
regards Brian

Brian might be describing an automotive curent tester

 

[brian_c]

Steve there is a small device you can get where you can remove your twelve volt fuses one by one and insert the blade end of the device and it will tell you if current is being drawn on that particular circuit. I'm sorry for the less than technical explanation but I feel sure one of the more knowledgable forum members will read your post and give you a name and even a link to the device I'm trying to describe. Hope you get the problem sorted quickly.
regards Brian

Brian might be describing an automotive curent tester

That is the one I was thinking off! Thank you Parksy I knew someone would know what I was on about.

 

[SteveWesty]

Thanks for that will get one ordered today.
Steve

 

[PaulT]

Have you tried disconnecting the battery before you leave it? This will at least tell you if it's the battery or confirm that there is a current drain>

 

[SteveWesty]

Quite happy with the battery that's on now, used it in last caravan and no problems it held charge great.
Thanks for the suggestion
Steve

 

[colin-yorkshire1]

If your battery is in good condition, then there must be a current draw from something, most likely are fridge, heater fan, status aerial booster, radio.
You need to put an ammeter in line with the battery to see what is being pulled out.

hi Steve.
the above answer from Damian is correct, there are only two ways that a battery can discharge, internally due to sulphation, or a current draw on the system it is connected to. seeing has how you are sure the battery is sound, it must be the latter,
if you have an alarm fitted or a tracker these will run the battery down over time to combat this many use a solar panel to keep the battery topped up, if you dont have either, try disconnecting the battery when stored, or turn off the main switch on the panel.
I had the same problem with the new van, turned out to be the fridge light, that drained the battery as the door was left open during layup. turning off the main switch cured the problem, by the way as an aside you are aware that the EHU does not fully charge the battery, it only charges to about 80%,