I'm just finishing the fitting out of our motorhome/horsebox.. Yes, that's right! I'm about to run the pipes to the gas appliances and wire up - Truma water and space heaters, oven, hob, taps with miroswitches, submersible pump.. I'm putting in a mains system and a 12 volt system. I'm doubtful whether I need to buy an expensive fitted charger, though. When we're on a hook-up I could use my present small battery charger every few days to keep the leisure battery charged up and I don't foresee us using a site with no hook-ups for more than the odd night or two.. Or is there something I've not thought of...?
------------- Each life is short. Make the most of this one while you can, you may not have a Land Rover or skis next time.
You may well be right thinking that you will be ok for a couple of nights without hookup.
However...
While not an expert, I understand that there may problems using a bench charger on site. I have read that these chargers can cause gassing and this can be dangerous if you charge while still in a locker or box. I belive that a good multi - stage charger would be ok in that situation and would give a greatly increased charge than your bench charger.. But please confirm with someone else first.
You don't though mention split charging. If you are intending to use split charging, the full charge of you leisure battery would be dragged down to that of your starter as soon as you strarted driving.
Hopefully one of our resident experts will be along shortly to explain and advise further. One thing I have learned is that though the basics of van electrics are simple, once you scrath the surface they can become very complex.
The main reason I got a charger fitted to my motorhome was so I could charge the cab battery from the EHU instead of the leisure battery if I wasn't using it for more than a few days because the alarm used to drain it quite quickly.
------------- Caz
If you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, just keep going till you go round the bend.
I'm no expert but I think you'll find that the battery will produce gas no matter how it's charged, and as such all leisure batteries should be vented.
Your 'car' battery lives under the bonnet, so any gas produced will dissipate into the atmosphere without build-up but the leisure battery usually lives inside the vehicle and should therefore have a vent pipe leading from it to allow the gas to be exhausted outside.
Based on the above information, I would suggest that the type of charger isn't really relevant, but then as I said... I'm no expert.
Good luck
Phil
------------- Our motorhome loves Rock'n'Roll... it rolls all day and rocks all night ;0)
Thanks for the latest posts, people. I've ordered a charger from JG Tech as it was £39 inc vat & carriage.. Just hope it's suitable! Nothing much to work, though, a couple of lights and the ignition and controls for the space & water heaters, 1.1 amp and 0.7 amps. Not exactly a big drain. Thanks, Phil, good point, I will run the vent outside..
Ed
------------- Each life is short. Make the most of this one while you can, you may not have a Land Rover or skis next time.
you are correct its a feature of charging, which is a chemical reaction, people often mix up gassing with boiling the electrolyte off, this is a feature of charging rapidly it produces heat which steams off some of the electrolyte,
I prefer the better charging ie a good 3+ stage charger will get the battery too 100% charged and far faster, A sterling is a good onsite power supply too.
Ordinary chargers should not be used as power supplies.
Thank for the correction Phil and George. A little knowlage is a dangerous thing eh. ;-)
btw, I was not dismissing the need for the normal exterrnal venting of the leisure battery. I was though suggesting that with the usual venting, charging via a 3 stage might be safe, whereas via a normal bench charger it would not be.
Could someone clarify that for me (and Ed) please?
I see you've built your own motorhome. I've been getting a little worried after reading another thread on this forum whether we would have trouble staying on some sites, not having a 'proper' £25,000 to £100,000 motorhome. Instead we have an £18,000 horsebox/motorhome, the shell converted from a glassfibre van body by the body maker. Although it looks like a motorhome (we get waved at all the time..), the ramp on the nearside rather gives it away! The thread expressed that some clubs and sites don't allow 'conversions' .. Had any experiences along those lines? Not suggesting yours is neccesarily a van conversion, but maybe it doesn't have a 'proper' makers nameplate on it either.. We've been members of the CC for a few years and assumed we wouldn't have a problem, but I now have doubts..
------------- Each life is short. Make the most of this one while you can, you may not have a Land Rover or skis next time.
I and loads of family and friends have used selfbuilds from basic to very good Jobs on Vans buses and lorries and we have never had trouble on commercial sites or any other site, we have not used CC or CCC sites
Steve
I didnt correct you just added some more meat to what you and phil said.
some sites will be a problem but you will get to know them. in an MH you can always pull away and wild it if they don't want your custom .
one point which no doubt george will correct me on. I had to get a special charger for my leisure [gel] battery as a normal charger will destroy it.
again it is something to do with speed of charge I think but not an expert.
Roi from N Wales
------------- Home is wherever I park it
ps. Michelle's legs are the middle ones.
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Topic: Do I Really Need a Battery Charger?
