Recharging Leisure Battery from the Car

[Brian_374234561]

Hi everyone, I am a newbie so please forgive what is probably a daft question ! Can I charge the caravan's battery by using the lead from the car towing electrics? I would have thought so, but when plugging it in with the engine running, the battery charger light wont come on to indicate it's taking a charge. Caravan is an Abbey Expression, less than a year old. Am I doing anything wrong, or is it taking a charge without having to put the charger switch onto on?

 

[Damian]

Brian, when the 12S cable (grey) is connected to the car, with the engine running, it supplies 12v to the fridge and the battery.

The red light on the main control panel will only light up when connected to 240v and the charger switch is set to on.

When towing the car/van switch should be in the central position.

 

[trucker]

Damian, in my Abbey handbook it states that whilst towing the switch needs to be in the van position to run the fridge. if not in this position it will not operate. The charger will also operate

Kevin

 

[trucker]

Brian look in you handbook under electrics it should tell you in there. It will state the correct position the swithchs should be for your caravan

Kevin

 

[Brian_374234561]

thanks for your comments. I think the confusion I have is because you cant get the charger light to come on when connected to the car electrics, however it looks like the battery is taking a charge still from the car despite this. thanks for taking the time to reply

 

[RogerL]

Charger lights normally only come on when mains 230v is operating the charger - recharging from the 12S connection doesn't normally have a light.

 

[Gareth111278]

My old Connsett has an old fashioned voltage gauge. when you switch from car to caravan battery this show the level of charge in each.

I've always assumed that when towing i switch to car and this wil charge the battery, but i'm not sure now! best get the book out....

i agree that the charge light won't come on as this just shows that the 240v charger is on.

If the hand book is unclear or you are un sure you van check if its charging with a votmeter across it, start the car, if the voltage goes up you have charge!

Just one other thing...Is the car 12s socket wired to the same spec as the caravan? older cars [and caravans] can be wired differenty, even if the car is new-ish has it been wired for an older caravan?

gareth