Caravan Battery Charging

[brian_c]

I hope this isn't a silly question but here goes:-

I have a Zig charger / PSU Unit in our Avondale Dart 2 Berth 2000 vintage.
It works fine.
However reading various reports about chargers I understand that the Zig units of that vintage don't actually fully charge the battery in fact the figure I have read is 80%.
So the question:- would it be worth while periodically (say every couple of weeks) using my Aldi charger for day or two to give the battery a full charge. And if yes is the answer (and this is the bit I ask tongue in cheek) could I just connect the Aldi charger without disconnecting the battery. (Although I would switch off the Zig Charger during the process.)
Or should I fully disconnect the battery before attempting the process.

Or finally am I wittering on about something that isn't required anyway.
:S :S
Best wishes to all
Brian

 

[alphapets]

Hi,

I have a Avondale Dart 515/4 (1999) I would also be interested in this question/answer.

Thanks

 

[ProfJohnL]

If you haven't experienced any power shortages when just using the caravans own power supply, then you don't need to use an additional charger. The fact the battery is only charged to 80% is not a problem for the battery.

There would be no harm with periodically boosting your battery with an "Aldi" charger, but I think it would be wise to disconnect the battery from the caravan when using it. The reason is I could not predict how the Aldi charger will work if it sees the complex load of the caravan charger. or vice versa.

 

[brian_c]

If you haven't experienced any power shortages when just using the caravans own power supply, then you don't need to use an additional charger. The fact the battery is only charged to 80% is not a problem for the battery.

There would be no harm with periodically boosting your battery with an "Aldi" charger, but I think it would be wise to disconnect the battery from the caravan when using it. The reason is I could not predict how the Aldi charger will work if it sees the complex load of the caravan charger. or vice versa.

Thank you Prof John for your reply. It was the 80% bit that concerned me. If over time it would have had a detrimental effect on the battery. I have had no power issues at all so will carry on as before.
thank you again.

 

[Dwarfer]

If it is the same aldi charger I have it can be left connected to the car while starting and running the car which I have done. so I wouldn't think there will be any issues leaving it connected to your van either.
Your zig charger limits the battery voltage to a lower than peak voltage to limit the amount of gassing which extends the battery life. but even so I would expect your battery is getting closer to 90% which I am quite happy with in mine.9p0pp

 

[ProfJohnL]

If it is the same aldi charger I have it can be left connected to the car while starting and running the car which I have done. so I wouldn't think there will be any issues leaving it connected to your van either.
Your zig charger limits the battery voltage to a lower than peak voltage to limit the amount of gassing which extends the battery life. but even so I would expect your battery is getting closer to 90% which I am quite happy with in mine.9p0pp

It may work, but most of the smart chargers like the Aldi one, do need to be able to sense the battery voltage under a variety of conditions. If you have other equipment connected to the battery (especially charging modern circuitry) this might modify the batteries signature voltages, and thus give false information to the Aldi device and prevent it from working properly. In a caravan there is usually some form of battery isolation switch on the power distribution panel, it's probably sufficient to just turn it off there, or to remove the batteries supply fuse.