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Subject Topic: Battery confusion
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PersonVWnewbie
via mobile 08/6/2024 at 10:12pm
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Any help please! Just bought second hand VW Caledonian converted van. Do we need to manually switch between car battery and leisure?? Reading that this is the case but can't find a control panel though there is one digital panel which doesn't seem to do anything. Does it switch automatically? We have a solar panel fitted so guess this is charging it. The fridge and lights come on. Do the other appliances just run off hook up?




Personmarg6
09/6/2024 at 6:08am
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something you need to ask the previous owners, we have no idea on the wiring that they have put in


PersonCapt Lightning
09/6/2024 at 8:17am
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What happens when you press the Union jack and then OK ?

Generally, you do have to choose between batteries - leisure battery is the normal one. You can usually choose to run appliances such as fridge from 12V when the engine is running or EHU. The leisure battery will normally be charged automatically from EHU when on site.

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PersonVWnewbie
via mobile 09/6/2024 at 8:20am
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Thank you, this just seems to be a clock that doesn't work 🤣🙄. Can't see where to switch between batteries. No control panel visible


PersonFiona W
via mobile 09/6/2024 at 1:30pm
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I’m pretty sure the vehicle battery won’t run the MH lights, the leisure battery won’t run the vehicle headlights. Not heard of swapping batteries. Leisure battery will charge off EHU & solar & while you’re driving. Control panel should show how much charge it has. Dealer or private seller should have taken you through everything at handover.
If it doesn’t have one, I’d advise getting a Habitation Service done: it’s how we found that there was a bird nest in our gas fire flue (before the days of Carbon Monoxide alarms). The Engineer will quickly work out what’s what & talk you through.
As you’ll read on other threads, your fridge will run on 12V only when the vehicle engine is running; otherwise it’s EHU or gas.

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PersonVWnewbie
via mobile 09/6/2024 at 7:56pm
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Thank you, great advice


Personjertzee
09/6/2024 at 9:20pm
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Quote: Originally posted by Fiona W on 09/6/2024
I
As you’ll read on other threads, your fridge will run on 12V only when the vehicle engine is running; otherwise it’s EHU or gas.


Does this mean if you have your fridge "on" when the van is parked, and no engine is running, the fridge is not actually on?


PersonCapt Lightning
10/6/2024 at 2:12pm
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Exactly - with the caveat that compressor fridges use less power so might possibly be used from the leisure battery when stopped. If you have an 'absorption' fridge, then you need EHU or gas when stopped.

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Two drifters off to see the world.

I'm tired of reality, so I'm off to look for a good fantasy.


PersonVWnewbie
via mobile 10/6/2024 at 5:56pm
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It's not a gas fridge... No gas all electric. The fridge comes on when the car engine is off.



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