battery charge

dirk2424

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Hi could anyone help me I have an AUTOTRAIL 635se every couple of weeks the vehicle battery goes flat it is on the drive so I have to put a cable from the garage and put a better charger under the bonnet to recharge is there any other way of keeping the battery topped up
I also have a solar panel on the roof but it only charges the leasure batteries
Thanks derek :idea:
 
Derek

On your control panel in the Autotrail there should be a selector for leisure/vehicle battery, if you select the vehicle battery, the solar will charge the vehicle battery.

You can alternate where the solar charges one week on leisure, one week on vehicle.

Other that that if its on your drive put the EHU to the van and use the internal charger, and again select vehicle or leisure (This is what I do)

Steve
 
Have your battery tested it sounds like it is dieing.it should. Last much longer. Check that every thing is switched off.can you check the standing. Drain with a multi metre. If you disconnect the battery you may loose you radlo code.
 
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Replace your battery!!

I would just replace your battery. I will only go flat on you, nothing worse when wild camping. Lead acid batteries don't like being discharged too much.
 
If the battery is in good condition it shouldn't discharge like that (obviously).

The following simple steps may help without spending any money.

1. Charge the battery (by driving or charger, it doesn't matter).

2. Disconnect the battery and allow it to rest for an hour or so.

3. Check the voltage while it's still disconnected - the reading should be between 12.4 and 12.6 volts.

4. If the battery is less than twelve volts it probably needs replacing (get it checked by a professional).

5. If you're getting a good voltage reading, then you have something that is discharging it.

Now you have to make a choice:

1. Call in an auto-electrician to find the fault for you.

or

2. Have a go at finding what is draining your battery.

Hope that helps . . . :)
 
Sky said:
If the battery is in good condition it shouldn't discharge like that (obviously).

The following simple steps may help without spending any money.

1. Charge the battery (by driving or charger, it doesn't matter).

2. Disconnect the battery and allow it to rest for an hour or so.

3. Check the voltage while it's still disconnected - the reading should be between 12.4 and 12.6 volts.

4. If the battery is less than twelve volts it probably needs replacing (get it checked by a professional).

5. If you're getting a good voltage reading, then you have something that is discharging it.

Now you have to make a choice:

1. Call in an auto-electrician to find the fault for you.

or

2. Have a go at finding what is draining your battery.

Hope that helps . . . :)
Click to expand...

Can't disagree with your methods, however most Autotrail owners know what the probable cause, its the draw from the radio and the alarm.
 
Hi thanks for all the advice
But I fitted the solar panel and power goes from solar panel to mppt to measure battery it doesn't go to vehicle battery

Also I am not sure if it has an internal charger because I only just got it (first ever motorhome ) and not sure how to use it properly yet
Thanks Derek
:)
 
dirk2424 said:
Hi thanks for all the advice
But I fitted the solar panel and power goes from solar panel to mppt to measure battery it doesn't go to vehicle battery

Also I am not sure if it has an internal charger because I only just got it (first ever motorhome ) and not sure how to use it properly yet
Thanks Derek
:)
Click to expand...

Derek,

Give Auto-Trail a call, 01472 571000 ask for Colin Treacher, he should be able to provide a users manual.

Steve
 
steco1958 said:
Can't disagree with your methods, however most Autotrail owners know what the probable cause, its the draw from the radio and the alarm.
Click to expand...
Although I understand what you are saying can you explain why the rest of us who also have radios and alarms that draw a little power don't have problems with flat batteries, I park at home now and always on EHU but before that I was on a Storage Site, I could leave my Hymer for three Months and the vehicle battery didn't go flat so why should an Autotrail be any different?
 
We have had the same problem with our motorhome. Apparently there is a drain on the vehicle battery all the time from the alarm and the ECU. I have just fitted a Battery Master from Van Bitz, which takes power from the leisure battery and puts it into the vehicle battery. So providing you keep your leisure battery charged either on mains hookup or solar panels, there should be no problem with the vehicle battery going flat..

The vehicle battery does not receive charge even when the control panel is switched to vehicle battery - well that's the case with our Bailey 760, and I think with many other makes.
 
LaMB said:
We have had the same problem with our motorhome. Apparently there is a drain on the vehicle battery all the time from the alarm and the ECU. I have just fitted a Battery Master from Van Bitz, which takes power from the leisure battery and puts it into the vehicle battery. So providing you keep your leisure battery charged either on mains hookup or solar panels, there should be no problem with the vehicle battery going flat..

The vehicle battery does not receive charge even when the control panel is switched to vehicle battery - well that's the case with our Bailey 760, and I think with many other makes.
Click to expand...
Again I am not disagreeing with what you are saying but why doesn't every vehicle have the same problem, we go away for up to six Months and leave two cars parked on our drive with alarms on, ECU's and radio's are no different to your van and the battery is a lot smaller and yet when we arrive home I start the cars and move them to get the van on the drive, as I said I can leave my van 3 Months without problems,.
 
Thanks for all the advice

I will try different things from all your advice

I think I have stirred up an hornets
Thanks:giggle::confused::confused::confused::):confused:
 
tezza33 said:
Although I understand what you are saying can you explain why the rest of us who also have radios and alarms that draw a little power don't have problems with flat batteries, I park at home now and always on EHU but before that I was on a Storage Site, I could leave my Hymer for three Months and the vehicle battery didn't go flat so why should an Autotrail be any different?
Click to expand...

Don't know but they do !!

I have mine on the rear drive, and obviously keep an eye on this problem, I do not suffer from this problem myself as I do what most people should do/would love to do, that is I use the MH all year round, at least every 2 weeks we are away in it.

There are loads of threads on this particular issue on many other forums.

Steve
 
dirk2424 said:
Thanks for all the advice

I will try different things from all your advice

I think I have stirred up an hornets
Thanks:giggle::confused::confused::confused::):confused:
Click to expand...

There are plenty of devices that do not cost a fortune for what you need.

Google CAK Tanks and browse their website. Or google 'keeping motorhome engine battery charged'. Expect to pay no more than £20 to £25.
 
Typical drain for alarm radio, and the remote will be around 30 mA. If the battery has been flattened a few times it's self discharge will be around 25mA. That totals 9-10Ah per week. Leave for three weeks and that's 30Ah. That may be enough to discharge your weakened battery.
 
I find it's the draw from the alarm and radio on my Auto-trail 696 and get fed up with keep re-charging so I disconnect the negative lead when not using.... No alarm but have a steering wheel that comes off....
 
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