We do most of our camping off grid so rely on our battery mainly for lights, water pump, charging phones an occasional tv use (very limited). Our toilet is a manual flush. Normally I get about 4-5 days use. Towards the end of last year it suddenly started draining very quickly. I got less than a days use. I presumed battery was shot so bought a new larger one. Same thing happened again. Got the van checked and was told battery connections were faulty so had them replaced. So we’re on our first trip away since then. We do have electric hookup this time so literally all we are using the battery for is the 12v lighting. Our onboard charger doesn’t work so that’s currently switched off. Although not draining as quickly as last time, the battery indicator has still gone from full to middle of the amber within a day. Does anyone have any ideas? Could the broken charger possibly be drawing power even though it’s switched off. As we have the electric hookup this trip we can manage but we have some dog shows coming up later in the year. With 2 kids lights and water are essential. As it’s their holiday I do like to let them have an hour of tv on a night but unless I sort this I can’t indulge them with that.
------------- Good cakes aren't cheap. Cheap cakes aren't good
Are you happy that the battery was fully charged at the outset? I assume that you took the battery off of the caravan to charge it using a normal car type battery charger. You mention that you bought a bigger battery. If you mean one with a higher amp/hour rating, I just wonder whether or not your charger is adequate.
Yes battery was fully charged. I use a ctek smart charger and I’m happy it’s adequate for our needs. When I first got the van a few years ago I used my husbands car battery charger and it was no where near adequate , so I invested in a decent charger. With camping off grid mostly it’s important to make sure we have full charge before leaving home.
------------- Good cakes aren't cheap. Cheap cakes aren't good
Two possibilities I can think of. One is that the battery indicator is faulty. Have you checked the battery voltage with a portable multi-meter?
The other possibility is that the faulty battery charger may be draining the battery, although that is unlikely. Might be worth disconnecting it from the battery though just to check.
Failing those possibilities, the only other thing to check is to put an ammeter in the battery line to see what is drawing current when it shouldn't be.
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Topic: Battery eating power.
via mobile 17/4/2022 at 8:20am
