Both Batteries flattened in 3 days.

[mariach]

Recently bought an old Hymer.
Runs well and good.
Had a week in Wales no probs, then
put it in storage for 3 weeks.

Had to call RAC to jump start as battery was flat.
Only engine battery was flat, not the leisure one,
despite the fact the we thought we had used
the isolator switch to switch off the engine battery.

Took it away for the weekend no problem, then parked it
up Monday evening. Took a couple attempts to
start it on Tuesday morning. Put into storage,
and now both batteries down to 0
today!!! Again thought we had put isolator switch on.

As far as we are aware, nothing was left on.

Any suggestions would be appreciated. The RAC man
checked thing swere charging properly, and thought
the batteries were fine.

Thanks

 

[maingate]

If your van is fitted with an Electrobloc unit, there is an isolating switch on it which should be in the off position if the van is laid up.

If you have an alarm fitted, it will be a small drain on the engine battery.

Make sure that the fridge is switched to the 'off' position. I left mine on 12 volt with the fridge door ajar and then noticed one night that the fridge internal light was on.

Check all your lockers in case a light was left on.

 

[mariach]

I will check the fridge.

What is an electrobloc unit, and how do I know if I have one?

 

[The Grand Wanderer]

I will check the fridge.

What is an electrobloc unit, and how do I know if I have one?

The elecktroblock is an eletrical box of tricks fitted on many continental motorhomes.
It measures approx 12x6x12 and can usually be found in one of the lockers at the front of the van.
Inside is the split charge relay (enables the leisure battery/ies to charge when the engine is running)
A relay for running the fridge on 12 volts (when engine running)
A mains (230 volt) battery charger for when on EHU.
All the fuses for the habitation equipment.

The isolator switch on the elecktroblock disconects the leisure battery from all the habitation consumers. Including the step and fridge (if yours is a self selection type ( some are AES or automatic energy selection)).

If the relays are in good order, the van battery and the leisure battery will be disconected from each other when the engine is stopped.

To test this disconect the positive lead from the postive pole of the leisure battery/ies and using a volt meter set on volts DC check if there a reading by putting the positive (red) probe of the meter on the disconected cable and the negative (black) on the negative pole of the leisure battrey/ies. A reading of any kind would indicate that the batteries were not disconecting properley.

Consumers that typically drain the van battery are
Radio (it uses a small amount to retain its memory of tuned stations) Had you left yours on with the volume turned down or on mute?
Alarm (if fitted and armed)
Clock in dashboard as well as any auxilliary bits that have been retrofitted.
If an inverter is plugged into the cigarette lighter socket and has been left on even if nothing is being run from it.

If when you find your elecktroblock make a note of the model no. All elecktroblocks are made by Schaudt in germany and they will supply you with a instruction manual in english (in PDF format) upon request. Should your unit be faulty they also do a fixed price repair service.

Hope this helps.
Regards,
Wanderer

 

[mariach]

Thanks for that. Nothing in overhead lockers, but will take a look under the drivers seat, as there is something electrical looking there.
Thanks
Maria