Leisure Battery

[missdiamonique]

We have an Avondale Argente 642-4. Can anyone please tell me the purpose of having a leisure battery when we always go on sites with electric hook up? We only move the van once or twice a year as the van is in storage at a site and they get the van out for us when we want to stay there at the weekends. We are not very technically minded so apologies for the question. Do we need to leave the charger in the bedbox on all the time? We have found that our alarm is not working at the moment so I am assuming that the battery is not charged enough to do that. As we can't keep the van anywhere near home how can we charge the battery? Should we take the battery home and do it there and what sort of charger should we get? Any suggestions please? Thanks Anne

 

[David_374242465]

Hi Anne. I will attempt to answer your questions, based on my experience, in order posted.

Always best to have battery in 'van, when on Elec Hook-up on site, to cover power trip-outs. This keeps essentials going for a reasonable period, until site owners fix problem. Also, particularly on older 'vans, the onboard charger/power supply had a rather low Ampere output rating and poor DC purity. A battery connected across the supply, cures these problems.

When on site it is usually recommended to leave charger on all the time. Are you sure your alarm runs from the main battery supply? Most alarms nowadays, run off thier own seperate rechargeable battery. (These batteries should last 5 -10 years) This needs to be charged with it own small charger, every few months.

Onboard 'van chargers, usually only provide a voltage of around 13.8 volts, and only charge up to about 80%.To maintain your main battery in good condition, it should be charged perhaps two or three times each season with a good charger, with 14.5 volts output. This can be done on the 'van but some folk, like me, take it home and use either a "normal" car type (Halfords) charger (

 

[missdiamonique]

Hi David

Thanks for your helpful advice. How would I find out whether the alarm is connected to the main battery supply and if not where would I look for the rechargable battery? By the way the van is 5 years old. Sorry to be so vague but we are out of our depth on technical matters!

Thanks again

Anne

 

[Happy-Lappy]

Anne,

When you are next away on site, ask one of your neighbours on the other pitches to help you with your problems. I am sure there will be many who will be too glad to help, this way they will be able to physically check out all your queries

best regards, Martin

 

[David_374242465]

Hi David

Thanks for your helpful advice. How would I find out whether the alarm is connected to the main battery supply and if not where would I look for the rechargable battery? By the way the van is 5 years old. Sorry to be so vague but we are out of our depth on technical matters!

Thanks again

Anne

Anne, your best bet would be to get a hold of a manual/owners book, for your particular caravan. At 5 yrs old, you should be able to get at least a photo copy from someone. Perhaps someone on this forum will be able to help. Try the Avondale owners group on the internet. They are always a very helpful bunch of people.

Without any electrical experience, I am hesitant to give you any further DIY advice.(Electricity can kill!!!)

You may have to take your caravan to a dealer who specialise in Avondale.

Dave