Battery not charging HELP

[Karenw]

Hi,

We've recently bought a 20 year old Talbot Express Autosleeper. Loving it but..

The Leisure battery doesn't appear to be charging. I've googled lots, learned how to use a multimeter, and still not come up with a solution.

During our first few day trips the battery ran completely flat. We took the van for a 50 mile drive but the battery was still flat.

I bought a new super flash battery charger from Halfords and charged the battery (took just over 24 hours).

We went away for a weekend, the battery lasted us but has lost a lot of charge, the 150 mile drive home didn't seem to top it up at all.

Using the multimeter I've established that there's just under 12v across the battery regardless of whether the engine is running or not, however there's 14V across the terminals if I disconect them from the battery and run the engine.

Any ideas?

Cheers

Karen

 

[maingate]

If there is 14 volts at the terminals then the system appears to be fine. This means that your alternator is working OK. The split charge system must be OK to give 14 volts.

The only other thing is your battery. If it has not been fully charged through the winter then it could be finished. Sub zero temperatures are very bad for flat batteries. Charge it up (off the van) and take it to a battery shop (or Kwikfit, National tyres etc.). They will test it for you.

If you can get the loan of a known decent battery, fit it and try again with your meter.

 

[ajs]

.

think the clue was in the first line... "20 year old camper"

me a cynic... nehhhlass

regards
aj

 

[maingate]

Sorry Karen,

I should have mentioned that every time I make a post, the village idiot follows on with some lame comment.

It is a combination of his tablets and a lazy carer that makes him a nuisance.

 

[Captain]

Welcome to the site Karen.

I'm with maingate, sounds like an old/duff battery.

I'm not the village idiot he's on about either! Well at least not in Worcester

 

[ajs]

Welcome to the site Karen.

I'm with maingate, sounds like an old/duff battery.

I'm not the village idiot he's on about either! Well at least not in Worcester

you must be cus that's what i said didle i ..
that trainslate fella was giving it loads of tecknobabble mollixx

oi... namedate..numpty... she's a girl...

regards
aj

 

[maingate]

Yes AJ, she is a girl. I think the clue was in the name `Karen`

She will not forget you for calling her a girl and I hope somebody has a camera handy when she meets you. I will pay good money for the right photo.

 

[ajs]

Yes AJ, she is a girl. I think the clue was in the name `Karen`

She will not forget you for calling her a girl and I hope somebody has a camera handy when she meets you. I will pay good money for the right photo.

you trying to suggest she would rather be called a boy...

yer in fer a thumpin lad...

regards
aj

 

[defitzi]

yes but.....

yes but.....the battery accepted a charge from a flash charger but not from 14 v from system. Question: what size was (is) battery?) maybe it needed heftier charge? Or it is possible it is not getting a full charge rate with the engine running but maybe other sources are draining the power that ought to be going into the battery?
It has been known to happen- to me, as it has happened to others I know of-when power diverted for obscure reasons. It often takes quite a hunt the spark to trace!

 

[Hairyoldgit]

Using the multimeter I've established that there's just under 12v across the battery regardless of whether the engine is running or not, however there's 14V across the terminals if I disconect them from the battery and run the engine.

If there is 14v across the leads with the engine running that drops to 12v when connected to the leisure batt I would guess at a dodgy connection or corroded fuseholder on the charge wire or possibly the split charge relay faulty.

 

[barnybg]

Battery problem ?

Here goes my twopenneth,is the battery acid topped up enough ?or is it sealed type ?
Is the fan belt/alternator belt correctly tensioned,so as to turn correctly not spin/slip ?
Are all the leads and wires fitted properly and not broken,or as suggested a fuse blown ' inline' somewhere ?Has the battery been mis-used ?


Are you leaving anything ON....like fridge,pump,heater,lights,cd player,tele ????? check and turn everything off,especially check the main board with the switches etc,as it could be the battery charging ok,but something else draining it....

 

[bigboack]

When we bought our motorhome the seller had swapped the Main leisure battery for a car battery. How do i know this I checked the battery when we went to view first time round, I had a leisure battery at home so decided not to say anything,put it down to experience, Have had the van 3 years now and just bought a new battery, see my latest post gell battery. Dont do what AJ does and expect things to last forever.In all my years as an electrician and Alarm Engineer, My pet hates is being called out at night to an alarm fault that has had a dud battery, Chenge them every three years for FECKS sake they dont last for ever. Happy wilding.