battery charging

[Catsparkey]

When I connect up the caravan to the car electrics can somebody tell me should the dial in the caravan show any reading as currently, if I leave the caravan just on its own, but with the leisure battery connected the dial shows the state of charge. Even with the mains plugged in it still shows a reading. However when connected to the car it reads zero. How do I know if the car is charging the leisure battery or not, or indeed is it supposed to. I'm a bit confused.

 

[Damian]

Assuming all the wiring is in place on the car socket and van plug, the easiest way of telling for sure thatthe car is charging the battery is to measure the voltage atthe battery terminals on the van.

With no plugs connected, use a multimeter and on 20vDc read the van battery charge, on a good battery it should be aronund 12.6v or so.

Now connect your car, start it up and get another person to lightly apply throttle to a fast idle, then read the battery terminal voltage, it should be 14v or more.

If it is, your car is charging your battery, if it is not, it is not and the reason why needs investigating.

 

[Catsparkey]

Thanks Damian Will check tomorrow

 

[Catsparkey]

Hi Damian

Checked the charging of the caravan battery via the car using a Streetwise tester showed all good for battery condition and altenator charging ok. So from this I assume the caravan battery is being charged via the car when its connected even though the caravan dial shows nil.. in fact goes off the minute I connect to the car. thanks once again for your help regards

Gordon

 

[lunar-tic]

hi

I am assuming when you plug your s socket in, your car is running which means the split charger is working.

If this is so the habitation relay in the caravan will swith off the 12v system so you cant leave any lights on etc. the only 12v available is for the fridge while towing, hope this helps

 

[Catsparkey]

hi

I am assuming when you plug your s socket in, your car is running which means the split charger is working.

If this is so the habitation relay in the caravan will swith off the 12v system so you cant leave any lights on etc. the only 12v available is for the fridge while towing, hope this helps

Hi Stephen Sorry just noticed your response thanks very much great help thought the caravan was faulty or something regards

Gordon

 

[Catsparkey]

hi

I am assuming when you plug your s socket in, your car is running which means the split charger is working.

If this is so the habitation relay in the caravan will swith off the 12v system so you cant leave any lights on etc. the only 12v available is for the fridge while towing, hope this helps

Stephen just converted to a thirteen pin socket and hadn't noticed the dial going off on the caravan before so was concerned I'd made a fopar when connecting the wires from the old 12s & 12n.