Battery query

[Anseo]

I recently fitted a new Halfords 115 amp : http://www.halfords.com/camping-leisure/caravan-motorhomes/electrical-power/halfords-leisure-battery-115-ah

It was showing 12.8v during the in-store battery check, I am a bit concerned that since fitting it a week ago or thereabouts it is now showing 12.5v.

As far as I know the radio always draws a little power but that is the only thing that I am aware of drawing power, should I be concerned?

 

[WoodlandsCamper]

How did you measure the 12.5 v in the van? If the onboard meter then they are notoriously inaccurate. Another thing that is always on is the TV aerial amplifier.

 

[Damian]

New batteries are only dry charged before sale and any GOOD battery agent should have told you to charge the battery on a good charger to condition it and bring it up to full effectiveness, but being Halfords (and many other places) they didn't ,,,, no surprise there !!!

At 12.5v the battery is basically discharged and needs fully charging now to prevent it becoming an early failure.

Batteries do self discharge during periods of no use and if you are worried about something else drawing power you need to fit an ammeter in line to confirm your thoughts.
You can disconnect the battery to stop it discharging as long as you don't need it for an alarm.

Depending on your van, items which do draw power are the TV amplifier if you forget to turn it off and the fridge if you do not turn that off as well (it uses a permanent 12v supply for the controls)

 

[Anseo]

How did you measure the 12.5 v in the van? If the onboard meter then they are notoriously inaccurate. Another thing that is always on is the TV aerial amplifier.

Yes WoodlandsCamper, the 12.5 volt reading was taken from the control panel readout in the van.

I forgot about the TV amplifier

 

[Damian]

For any accurate readings you really need to use a multimeter and not rely on the on board indication as they are not calibrated to the same level as a multimeter.

 

[Anseo]

For any accurate readings you really need to use a multimeter and not rely on the on board indication as they are not calibrated to the same level as a multimeter.

Damian,

I have the caravan on EHU at the moment (parked outside the house), tomorrow I shall remove the battery and take a reading with a multimeter, I will then put the Halfords battery on the smartcharger for however long it takes.

Your assumption was accurate, Halfords did not advise me to put the battery on charge prior to me installing it to the caravan.

I shall go out now and see if there is a switch for turning off the TV amplifier, I have not looked for one before

Thanks for the tips.

Thanks