Leisure Battery

[missdiamonique]

We have been caravanning for three years, but are still green about the leisure battery. We are hooked up to mains for nine months of the year on a seasonal pitch, so we have no problem when setting our alarm. However, if we have moved elsewhere and have to disconnect our mains, the alarm does not work. The needle on the meter in the caravan tells us that the electrics are fully charged (the needle goes to the top on the green) and the van's charger is on all the time, however, when it was tested at the service, the dealer told us the battery was flat and that we needed a new one. Is the battery supposed to charge when the charger is on mains? If not, how can we keep the battery charged so that the alarm will work over the winter period when in storage? We would appreciate any advice, as this is something we don't understand. Thanks

 

[Rod_5041370]

Fit a small solar panel on the roof to keep the battery charged, it works for me.

 

[WatsonJohnG]

The battery is supposed to charge from the mains but if it is faulty then it will not charge up.

Try switching the charger off and look at the battery meter.

You are getting the reading from the charger but if the battery is duff it won't charge up.

 

[Lol1]

Ann, have you any idea what sort of alarm you have? The one we have has it's own rechargeable battery; this just needs charging approx once every nine months. If you can post any details i.e. caravan make/age/ name of alarm, that would help.

 

[Lol1]

Ann, have you any idea what sort of alarm you have? The one we have has it's own rechargeable battery; this just needs charging approx once every nine months. If you can post any details i.e. caravan make/age/ name of alarm, that would help.

Anne, sorry, missed the e off, me bad!

 

[WatsonJohnG]

Surely if a dealer has said that the battery is flat (assuming its a battery dealer) then the first thing is to get a new battery or a second opinion.

Then it will be possible to see how long a charged battery will last before deciding if further action is needed.

 

[Pete4]

You can charge your battery too much. You shouldn't leave the charger on for extended periods and even then, check the elecrolite level has the constant trickle charge will evaporate all the water.

 

[rob_jax]

The battery charger fitted to your van could either be a single stage charger, which provides a continuous charge of several amps, or a multi-stage intelligent charger, which monitors the charge state of the battery and adjusts the current to exactly suit the needs of the battery.

The first type is only meant to crage the battery and then be switched off, otherwise you will kill the battery in a few days or weeks. Whereas the intelligent type can be left connected for long periods without worry.

Suggestions:

Get a new leisure battery and either read up in your owners manual or speak with your dealer to find out what sort of charger you have in your van.

Robert

 

[missdiamonique]

Thanks for all your helpful replies. The alarm is a Caravan Protect Security System with tilt sensor, but I am informed this company is no longer in business. That's all I know about the system.

The dealer supplied and fitted this when we took delivery of the van. I will be getting a new leisure battery at the end of the season (next month)and I will not leave the charger on all the time and see how we get on with that.

 

[missdiamonique]

Ann, have you any idea what sort of alarm you have? The one we have has it's own rechargeable battery; this just needs charging approx once every nine months. If you can post any details i.e. caravan make/age/ name of alarm, that would help.

Thanks for your reply. We have an Avondale Argente 642-4, it is 18 months old and the alarm is a Cavavan Protect Security System.

I think they have gone out of business now.

 

[Lol1]

Ann, have you any idea what sort of alarm you have? The one we have has it's own rechargeable battery; this just needs charging approx once every nine months. If you can post any details i.e. caravan make/age/ name of alarm, that would help.

Sorry Anne, the only one I could find that gets close to your description didn't have a rechargeable or backup battery. I know they don't come cheap but perhaps you should consider changing it for one with an independent battery, especially if you have a discount on your insurance because you have an alarm fitted. My insurance stipulates that the alarm must be operated while in storage.

 

[missdiamonique]

Sorry Anne, the only one I could find that gets close to your description didn't have a rechargeable or backup battery. I know they don't come cheap but perhaps you should consider changing it for one with an independent battery, especially if you have a discount on your insurance because you have an alarm fitted. My insurance stipulates that the alarm must be operated while in storage.

Hi Lol Thanks for your suggestions. I will be looking into resolving the problem for the winter. I know the van must be alarmed whilst in compound storage, otherwise, the insurance will not be valid.

 

[keith_5081818]

to check if your charger is ok, if u dont have (or know how to use) a multimeter, simply disconnect the battery with the lights on and the mains on, if the lights stay on its at least working to some degree.

The same goes for your battery, have it connected and pull the mains out, see how long your lights stay on, if they go a few hours its probably ok.

Also try to light your gas water heater on battery only with lights on, they hate low voltage & probably will fail to light.

 

[missdiamonique]

to check if your charger is ok, if u dont have (or know how to use) a multimeter, simply disconnect the battery with the lights on and the mains on, if the lights stay on its at least working to some degree.

The same goes for your battery, have it connected and pull the mains out, see how long your lights stay on, if they go a few hours its probably ok.

Also try to light your gas water heater on battery only with lights on, they hate low voltage & probably will fail to light.

Thanks for your advice. We have been to the van this weekend and have delved further into the situation. We actually have a charger which is combined with the mains switch and the fuses. We accept our battery needs replacing, but in future, how do we check the battery and how do we charge it, especially over the winter when in the compound?

 

[RogerL_5041474]

Why do many caravanners have to replace their leisure battery after 2 to 3 years?

When I have to replace a car battery, at 7 to 8 years old, I just use the old one in the caravan. I've never yet disposed of an old car battery less than 12 years old.

The low voltage power supply fitted to caravans since the mid-90's operate at 13.8v and can be left connected permanently without damaging the battery (assumimg the power supply isn't faulty).

Cheap car chargers will cause damage if permanently connected as 14.4v eventually causes gassing which evaporates the electrolyte. Quality car chargers like the CTEK can be left permanently connected, indeed they're designed to do just that.

 

[Mark_5082114]

Our caravan alarm runs from a separate battery to the main battery. It is a small battery hidden well away but still accessible so that we can plug in its own little "Wall Wart" charger when we are on mains.