Electrics again!

[REC]

Driving back through Spain. Full sunshine and have driven two hours so far today. Checked leisure battery level and only showing 12.2? Usually in full sun shows 13.5 upwards. Can someone suggest checks we can do to identify anything simple? Fairly new battery and not been drained low since purchase. Only electrics running are two tablets chargIng via DC. Lights used in evening...two led, sometimes four but only for a couple of hours max. Not good at electrics but wondered if something stands out as obvious. Really don't want to have repairs at this stage in journey. We could manage without for the eight days left, but annoying.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

Check connections, are you getting the volts from the hab display? if so try a meter directly onto the battery, make sure nothing is plugged into the 12v anywhere, radio etc properly turned off etc.

 

[Nabsim]

If it’s a split charge relay that charges hab battery check/change the fuses at both end

 

[Bigshug]

Your leisure battery at 12.2 is not getting any charge from solar or B2B. So need to check all the connections from both sources, and earth connections.

 

[r4dent]

Can someone suggest checks we can do to identify anything simple?
[/QUOTE

With sun shining, park in sunlight (not shade)
stop engine and remove key
switch off everything 12v in hab area
With nothing 12v switched on

Check voltage
a)into solar controller.
b)out off solar controller
c) across leisure battery (if >1 check each individually)
d) across vehicle battery



Post readings a to d.

 

[1 Cup]

You have been away and not check battery daily ! Stop the van and check the engine oil

 

[trevskoda]

Battery when driving should show 14.4 if lead acid type, under solar it may drop to float at 13.3 to 13.6 ish, at night it will be 12.6/7 v before use.
Best tool to find faults is a simple ohm/volt meter which should be kept in the van, then you can go over the full monty to see whats not dong as it should.
Could be something simple like a relay fuse or a bad connection, or even the relay has died as in contacts burnt out.

 

[Robmac]

You have been away and not check battery daily ! Stop the van and check the engine oil

Blimey Jeff, I check my battery about every 3 months!

 

[molly 2]

If fitted It could be your smart alternator doing what smart alternators are designed to do ,

 

[mark61]

Blimey Jeff, I check my battery about every 3 months!

Since upgrading, I now check my batteries every few minutes, so easy with an app.
I love data, but that's all it is, data.
Do lights come on? Yes/No
Does van start? Yes/No

Beyond that, ICGAF.

 

[REC]

No smart alternator. Battery at 12.7 this morning with solar on it. Need to get to grips with the controller..and also the volt tester... Bought it never used it. Will try when stopped tonight. Going to a site and getting EHU in case it was the fridge depleted battery and making everything struggle. We had it on once a few days ago, blooming thing really drains the battery so just use as an insulated box.
Thanks for suggestions