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Subject Topic: Caravan battery!
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PersonJohnnymo9210
02/11/2014 at 5:35pm
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Hello all, I have now packed my caravan up for the winter, I have taken the battery out and have put it on the trickle charger, the trickle charger has been on roughly for 2- 2 and half weeks and the battery indicator is still showing charging needed, would the trickle charger be this slow at charging? The battery had charge in it before we took it out as I used it in the van. Thanks


PersonG7ACU
02/11/2014 at 5:39pm
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Doesn't sound right to me. What brand/model charger is it? Do you have a multimeter to check state of battery on it's own (without charger connected) and also to check for an output when charger connected?
If there was sufficient charger in the battery to start with, the charger should have indicated some reasonable condition after a fairly short time.

-------------
Paul

Every day's a school day!


Personmillermicm
02/11/2014 at 5:40pm
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Leaving it on a trickle charger for that long is probably not good unless it's an intelligent charger i.e. stops charging when full. It may destroy the battery.

If it hasn't take a full charge it may be past it's best now.

As you don't need it just put it away for now.

-------------
Steve


PersonJohnnymo9210
02/11/2014 at 9:13pm
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The charger is fifth gear 12v trickle charger, it's 500ma constant output, the caravan battery is a Numax leisure. You think the battery has gone then?


PersonMick S.
02/11/2014 at 9:41pm
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Unless your 'van is away from home in storage, you are far better just leaving it on hook-up through winter.

The battery, if its 'good' shouldnt still want charging after a fortnight. How old is it?


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PersonGrampian91
02/11/2014 at 9:47pm
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What voltage is the charger putting out?

I would try another charger. Constant 500mA should charge it over a few days at most.


PersonJohnnymo9210
02/11/2014 at 10:06pm
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It's a 12v trickle charger so I presume 12v I haven't got a meter or anything so, I'm not to sure to be honest, it's prob best I get one.


PersonJohnnymo9210
02/11/2014 at 10:08pm
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Im not sure how old the battery is, when I bought the van (3 months ago ) the guy said I was new.


PersonMarcus12
05/11/2014 at 11:18am
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I have just recently purchased a CTEK smart charger. Although expensive it is (I am assured) very good at maintaining a charge as it has an automatic pulse setting. Which Keeps the battery charged. but only after it has dropped voltage. So it is not on constant trickle charge but only when it needs a boost. It also has a RECOND setting which apparently re-conditions a battery, if it is a bit tired. (see my catastrophe forum entry on dead or flat battery)


PersonOnewheelonmywagon
07/11/2014 at 12:22pm
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Best put a cheap Chinese multimeter on your Xmas list.

Like this one

Edit: A fully charged battery will read about 12.8 volts a couple of hours after the charger is removed, and when it's being charged should read about 13.5 volts, although some chargers will boost the voltage to 14.4v for a while.


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PersonAL53HX
07/11/2014 at 1:29pm
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If it isn't a sealed for life battery check the acid levels,it does evaporate over time.


Personold chap
07/11/2014 at 5:06pm
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A trickle charge only type charger will not fully charge a battery as it will only be supplying 13.8v in order to maintain the battery (many caravan chargers are the same)
to fully charge a battery it needs 14 + volts but if this is supplied without keeping a check on the battery condition it can result in boiling dry & ruining the battery. you need to fully charge the battery then put it on the trickle charger.Or best bet is to buy a smart charger which will fully charge the battery & then drop down to a maintenance charge of 13.8v
if you local Lidle or Aldi store still has any their chargers are ideal at half the price of a CTEC charger


Personjay1976
07/11/2014 at 5:10pm
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B&Q do cheap voltage test meters...buy one keep it in caravan once done with it..

-------------
lunar solar ecclipse 4 berth. living in caravan permantly on site.


Persontrog100
08/11/2014 at 9:26am
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a cheap multimeter is the tool to have.. you can get them off ebay for not much more than a fiver..

they wont tell you much other than the batteries state of charge and even a 90% knackered battery will still show a full state of charge but knowing that is worth knowing..

trog


Personsaxo1
08/11/2014 at 10:57am
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A voltmeter will only show you the voltage it wont tell you if the battery is good or bad when a load is applied.
saxo1


Persontrog100
08/11/2014 at 12:09pm
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one of these will tell you the true state of your battery.. a bit more than a fiver but they tell you all you need to know with a simple quick ten second test..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Sealed-Lead-Acid-Battery-Tester-Analyzer-For-All-12V-Cars-MST-ART600-MST-A600-/161211527212

trog



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