Leisure Battery Overheating

[Steve_374377138]

I have a Swift Charisma 570 from 2004. I came to the carravan and found the Battery was very hot - it was on charge in the garden. The battery was still able to move the Caravan (using a mover). I assume that the problem will be the charger rather (or in addition to the battery) - do you agree and is there a simple way of checking the charging behaviour?

Assuming the electrics are at fault, could you reccomend a suitable power unit?

Many thanks for any help.

Steve

 

[Damian]

You do not say what kind of charger was being used? was it the van charger or a stand alone unit of your own?

If it is the van charger then measure the output voltage at the battery when on charge, it should be around 13.5 volts, any more and it is likely to be the charger is at fault.

If the battery is showing any signs of damage, such as the sides blowing outwards instead of as they should be, then it is the battery.

In any event, if it was that hot it is probably damaged internally and should be replaced.

 

[Rodone]

Hello Damian. My van charger has always (from new in 2003) put out 13.90v (ish), and the battery has never seemed to suffer. I'm not usually on EHU, but I always use a C TEK at home. My previous van charger seemed to run at about 13. 6v. I think they can vary quite a lot.

 

[Damian]

Rod, my mistake in how I worded the reply, should have said between 13.5 and 13.9 but not as high as 14v.

The reason is to ensure the battery does not "gas" in the van by overcharging.

 

[Steve_374377138]

Thanks for the reply, the van charger was in use. I just measured the output at 13V (but the battery charge is low at 8V). I will keep an eye on it. I agree I probably need a new battery - but I do not want to cook the new one.

The battery does not show any signs of damage but to touch it was very hot (60C ish).

Thanks

Steve