Flat Battery

[SirRogerFFS]

Good morning Techies.. Can anybody pleaase tell me why, if we dont turn absolutely everthing off on our Ace Supreme the next time we go to it the battery will be dead flat.

What is flattening the battery?

Regards Stewart

 

[David_374242465]

How old is the battery?

Do you charge it with a "good smart" charger two or three times a year, as recommended by most caravan battery suppliers?

How long do you leave it, before it goes flat?

What is still connected? Perhaps your Alarm system? A battery, fully charged and in good condition, should maintain the small current taken by an alarm for a couple of months.

Have you tried disconnecting the battery completely?

Even a disconnected battery will self discharge, depending on age/state. A battery in v good condition will be OK for a few weeks/months after it has been fully charged.

Cheers

Dave Mac

 

[SirRogerFFS]

How old is the battery?

Do you charge it with a "good smart" charger two or three times a year, as recommended by most caravan battery suppliers?

How long do you leave it, before it goes flat?

What is still connected? Perhaps your Alarm system? A battery, fully charged and in good condition, should maintain the small current taken by an alarm for a couple of months.

Have you tried disconnecting the battery completely?

Even a disconnected battery will self discharge, depending on age/state. A battery in v good condition will be OK for a few weeks/months after it has been fully charged.

Cheers

Dave Mac

David ,I have to say the battery is getting on a bit but if we do turn everything off the battery is ok for weeks or even left at home for weeks its ok .

Being a bit of a wooden top I have forgotten to isolate evrything And gone back a couple of days later and battery flat.

The alarm totally seperate. Regards Stewart

 

[Dustydog]

Hi Stewart,

Ok , so even if you have isolated everything at the master switch are you sure nothing else is drawing power eg a light inside the front gas locker? A "hot" wired radio cd unit? Is there any heat build up in the 12v fuse box?

Have you tried removing all 12 v fuses and seen what happens?

Then replacing one by one to see what happens?

daft I know but none of the main battery wires are shorting out at all?

No signs of field mice that may have nibbled through some insulation?

I hate mysteries so good luck.

Cheers

Alan

 

[SirRogerFFS]

Hi Stewart,

Ok , so even if you have isolated everything at the master switch are you sure nothing else is drawing power eg a light inside the front gas locker? A "hot" wired radio cd unit? Is there any heat build up in the 12v fuse box?

Have you tried removing all 12 v fuses and seen what happens?

Then replacing one by one to see what happens?

daft I know but none of the main battery wires are shorting out at all?

No signs of field mice that may have nibbled through some insulation?

I hate mysteries so good luck.

Cheers

Alan

Alan this problem I think is goiong to give plenty of answers on here .

If I turn the isolator off the battery will go for weeks, if i forget to turn it off flat in a couple of days.

Sad to say I havnt tried all of your suggestions but the van is in storage some ways from us .

Its not too much of a problem iof I remember to isolate I have to take into account my age you see and I forget(LOL)

Thanks for your suggestions .

Regards Stewart

 

[David_374242465]

David ,I have to say the battery is getting on a bit but if we do turn everything off the battery is ok for weeks or even left at home for weeks its ok .

Being a bit of a wooden top I have forgotten to isolate evrything And gone back a couple of days later and battery flat.

The alarm totally seperate. Regards Stewart

OK Stewart,

Obviously something is taking current. Status amp, control relays, etc.

Even a small current of say 100mA (ie two or three low power LED indicators) will flatten a battery in v good condition in less than 20 days!

I, like most caravaners, disconect the battery at the terminals, if van is unoccupied/stored for more than a day or so, providing the alarm system has it's own battery.

I have fitted "quick connect" terminals to my battery leads, so only takes seconds to connect/disconnect.

Also if your battery is over 5 yrs old, get it tested by a friendly garage. I would invest in a new one, especially if you do not use a "hook-up" on all your trips.

Cheers

Dave Mac

 

[Damian]

The usual suspects are, in no particular order:

Radio/CD player still drawing power for its memory.

Status aerial booster left switched on.

Fan on fire left on.

 

[SirRogerFFS]

Damian I think you may have cracked it the radio may just be the problem , Im off to do some checking on the van..... Thanks every body

Regards Stewart