Power on or off?

[Kontiki]

Should I leave the van connected to the mains 24/7 & if I do will the batteries be ok or is it better to just have it on occasionally? My van charges both leisure & engine battery when on hook up. I have a roof mounted solar panel that keeps the leisure battery well topped up even this time of year.

 

[kalamitty]

my van is hooked up 24/7 and had no probs with battery, the only time was when we had some work done on the house and i moved the van every time to let them into the garage and didn't connect the hookup the main battery went flat, as every time it was started it only moved a few feet so was running of engine but not far enough to charge battery, i also have a solar panel fitted so just leave it hooked up.

 

[Firefox]

You're charging management system should cut off power to your batteries when they are fully charged, so it shouldn't make any difference if you leave it on 24/7 or not.

 

[Pioneer]

my van is hooked up 24/7 and had no probs with battery, the only time was when we had some work done on the house and i moved the van every time to let them into the garage and didn't connect the hookup the main battery went flat, as every time it was started it only moved a few feet so was running of engine but not far enough to charge battery, i also have a solar panel fitted so just leave it hooked up.

Sounds like your battery isn't holding it's charge, shouldn't flatten so quick. Have you tested it? and are you sure your solar panel is getting the charge to the battery?
Just a thought

Happy Camping

 

[AndyC]

Different chargers work in different ways, some will 'float' the battery at around 13.8v once they have finished the charging cycle, others will cut off the charge to the battery completely and only start the charging cycle again if the voltage drops to a pre-set level. Both should be safe to leave permanently connected.

I'd be interested in thoughts as to which is the 'best' system, I'm inclined to think that floating the battery at 13.8v would be better.

AndyC

 

[ajs]

I'd be interested in thoughts as to which is the 'best' system, I'm inclined to think that floating the battery at 13.8v would be better.

AndyC

tried it with an old 1... friggin thing sank
… yes I know… back te bed

Should I leave the van connected to the mains 24/7 & if I do will the batteries be ok or is it better to just have it on occasionally? My van charges both leisure & engine battery when on hook up

thank you for a very interesting fred.... you must be sycodellic,..er phylobellik..errrrr....sicleamedic...(sheeeet)...able to read my mind....
i was wondering the same thing myself just the other day...

regards
aj

 

[tony]

charging

when on permenent hook up at home what position should the 3 position battery switch be in to keep the battery charged up ?
i have it in the middle (off) position but every so often i put it onto leisure battery for a day to keep the battery up. is there any need for this ?
thanks
tony