Leisure battery

[jewells1]

We have just got back from a few days away, when we uncoupled the EHU from the van I noticed the battery was very hot, it is a brand new 110 battery, 1st time used.

This is the battery:-

http://www.alpha-batteries.co.uk/buy-online/caravan-batteries-boat-batteries-leisure-batteries/12v-ultra-plus-110-amp-cheap-leisure-battery/prod_29.html
Is this normal, i had never noticed this with the other battery.

john

 

[xtrailman]

John

Did you check the electrolyte levels before you fitted the battery?

Sounds like the battery may be overcharged, possibly a faulty charger.

If possible check across the battery with a meter for voltage, you should be getting 13.8v, unless it is a 3 stage charger.

Before you do check the battery levels.

I have never had a problem with my cheap battery, now 5 years old, but obviously a faulty battery cannot be discounted.

 

[jewells1]

Ray,

It is a maintenance free battery with a 3yr guarantee, the meter in the caravan shows around 12.4v, with the EHU connected shows around 13.8.??

I am awaiting a reply from the company as to wether this is a problem or not

 

[mauron]

Hi John,

The reading of 12.4 indicates that the battery is only 50% charged. Are you getting this reading immediately after charging the battery?

If so, something is definitely wrong with either the battery (probably) or the charger.

13.8 would seem OK on charge.

Ron

 

[mauron]

Sorry John,

Didn't realise that you were talking about the caravan's meter reading.

Have you got a multimeter?

If so, use this to get a reading across battery terminals.

The Caravan Club does a downloadable instruction sheet about batteries. If you are a member it can be downloaded from their website.

Hope this helps,

Ron.

 

[jewells1]

Hi,

Just had a reply from the battery Co, it seems the battery has been overcharged,

As I understand it, as the battery charge drops, the charger kicks in to recharge the battery then stops when the battery is fully recharged??, am I right?

Does this suggest a faulty charger?

The caravan is a Lunar Lexon 2008,

john

 

[xtrailman]

John

You need to find out if your charger is the 3 stage type as fitted to some swifts.

These chargers charge up to approx 14.5 volts, and then progressively drop down the charge volts as the battery reaches a charged state.

It could be the charger did not drop the volts?

Someone posted on here recently with the same problem.