Leisure battery problems

[Pablo1]

I bought a 2009 caravan three months ago, and had a new motor mover and 100ah battery fitted. I've only used the van once, so far, and in early December decided to move it to a more sheltered area. The van moved 4 feet and stopped. Voltmeter in van read just under 10v. Moved van by hand, and connected to mains to charge battery. I checked fridge, radio and heater, and ensured control panel switch were all in off position before charging. After two 6 hour sessions meter read just over 12v. 2 weeks later it read 11.5v, and after a further 2 weeks read 0v. I've returned the battery to the dealer who have charged it (again 2 x 6 hours) and after checking have said that the battery is 100% charged and is 100% holding charge.
Anyone got any ideas or suggestions?
I intend not to connect the battery for a couple of weeks, then check again, that should eliminate the battery as the fault, as, surely I should expect it to hold charge for a couple of weeks. It is new, after all. I've had 2 batteries in 3 vans over a 10 year period and never had a problem in the past.

 

[JTQ]

Have you checked the van's charger is working? That seems to be the problem from the info given.
As the battery has been so "dead", zero volts. it could now unfortunately also be significantly damaged.

 

[Pablo1]

I had assumed that the caravan charger was working, as it has re-charged the battery, and meter readings were taken after mains disconnected. But worth a check, thanks.

 

[JTQ]

The guidance figures generally taken are that 4 plus hours after coming off charge a fully charged battery should read 12.65 V, three quarter charged, 12.45 V and quarter charged 12.06 V.
Many caravan chargers cant fully charge a battery being set to a trickle charge level of 13.8 volts. In these cases the maximum you would see in a rested battery is about 12.5 Volts.

Your figures look to me that the charger is the prime culprit of your problems.

Lidl's might have some of their excellent value smart chargers still on offer. Whilst these cant replicate the high current power supply function of a correctly operating van charger unit, they are excellent at maintaining the van's battery and to an extent conditioning it; the very thing your "new" battery needs quickly to avoid further damage. These chargers will get closer to 100% than most simple van chargers and as said are a tonic for the batteries used in such systems. Make sure to the van's charger is disconnected or "off" whilst using the stand alone charger or the control systems might be in conflict.

 

[forestgump]

what van is it if its charger try the power lead that plugs in some times works loose.

 

[Pablo1]

Van is a Coachman VIP 545 fitted with a Thetford fridge. Today I have found a switch under the front seats marked Fridge. This was in the on position. Did I read somewhere about Thetford fridges not being fully off unless switched off at an external switch? If so, the constant drain could explain my problem.

 

[Pablo1]

When I went to collect battery from dealer, effeiciency had dropped from 100% to 97%. Agreed to leave it with them for a few more days. rang yesterday to say efficiency has dropped to 83%, and would I like to collect my replacement battery?
All's well that ends well!

 

[Pablo1]

When I went to collect battery from dealer, effeiciency had dropped from 100% to 97%. Agreed to leave it with them for a few more days. rang yesterday to say efficiency has dropped to 83%, and would I like to collect my replacement battery?
All's well that ends well!

 

[TD42]

Bear in mind that very few caravans have a smart charger,& most caravan chargers will only charge a battery to aprox 80%
My new battery ",sold as ready to use"required a further 8 hours on my CTEC charger to bring it to full charge.

sorry for repeating info allready posted

 

[waffler]

We are coachman VIP owners and had the same problem. There are three ways you are loosing juice. Probably the sony radio is to blame. It has a continuous supply to keep the memory. You should be able to switch this off but i have failed to do it. Solution is to remove the blade fuse on the fuse box. (I have taken my radio out completely.) The fridge has a permanent live as does the alarm. Since removing the radio the battery has not flattened and was left for 2 months. Hope this helps.
The switches under the bed are mains for the fridge and heater.