Beginners question

[Peter_374314513]

Thanks to both of you, I have been to Halfords and the batery is on charge as we speak.

I have the rocker switch you mention and have checked that.

 

[RayS]

Peter, i have read this thread and I am very glad people have given you good advice. This sort of problem is much easier to sort out if you can see the offending items and get your hands on them, quite difficult to do with "remote words" but that's what this forum is all about.

I hope all is now well, but your last posting worried me slightly. You say you have been to Halfords and the battery is now on charge - does this mean you bought a new battery charger ?

Unfortunately the chargers for the normal car starter battery are not suitable for the slow discharge type leisure batteries fitted in caravans and which power the mover etc. They charge "too fast" and while the battery will apper to be charged, you may be causing damage to it.

If you are a Caravan Club member, go the their website and download the leaflet about batteries which explains it all.

The charger built in to the van is limited to a lower voltage so such damage does not occur. you have said you have never seen the meter or indicator in the van show green.

I gather you have the caravan close to your house, so you could connect it to the mains ? you may have to make up a lead with a normal domestic 13 amp 3 pin plug on one end and a socket suitable to plug into the caravan on the other.

Connect and switch on such a supply and then see what happens to the meter or indicator in the caravan. After a period - to allow for a flat battery - the indicator should move to the green - if there are figures i would expect this to show around 13 or 14 remebering that these meters are not very large or accurate. Then try switching on some of your reading lamps or anything wich is 12 volts not mains. You should see this meter dip slightly and then recover when you switch the lights or whatever off.

If you never get to the "green" or 13-14 volts, then either your on-board charger is switched off or disconnected or it is faulty. If either of these is the case, then you probably need to get more expert help.

I think it may be worth you buying a simple test meter - proably about

 

[bill_374352895]

Peter, i have read this thread and I am very glad people have given you good advice. This sort of problem is much easier to sort out if you can see the offending items and get your hands on them, quite difficult to do with "remote words" but that's what this forum is all about.

I hope all is now well, but your last posting worried me slightly. You say you have been to Halfords and the battery is now on charge - does this mean you bought a new battery charger ?

Unfortunately the chargers for the normal car starter battery are not suitable for the slow discharge type leisure batteries fitted in caravans and which power the mover etc. They charge "too fast" and while the battery will apper to be charged, you may be causing damage to it.

If you are a Caravan Club member, go the their website and download the leaflet about batteries which explains it all.

The charger built in to the van is limited to a lower voltage so such damage does not occur. you have said you have never seen the meter or indicator in the van show green.

I gather you have the caravan close to your house, so you could connect it to the mains ? you may have to make up a lead with a normal domestic 13 amp 3 pin plug on one end and a socket suitable to plug into the caravan on the other.

Connect and switch on such a supply and then see what happens to the meter or indicator in the caravan. After a period - to allow for a flat battery - the indicator should move to the green - if there are figures i would expect this to show around 13 or 14 remebering that these meters are not very large or accurate. Then try switching on some of your reading lamps or anything wich is 12 volts not mains. You should see this meter dip slightly and then recover when you switch the lights or whatever off.

If you never get to the "green" or 13-14 volts, then either your on-board charger is switched off or disconnected or it is faulty. If either of these is the case, then you probably need to get more expert help.

I think it may be worth you buying a simple test meter - proably about