Hi Peeps
please be patient we're new to all of this
just bought an Omega Compass 400 1989 no manual
previous owner didn't use leisure batteries just EHU but we will be using the van at festivals etc where there is no EHU so need a leisure battery fitting.
anyway we think the place to put the battery is an external locker at the front of the van - where the black car and grey leads are although it dosn't seem that there is anything to actually connect the battery to. Also there is a tube with a gas regulator in the same place there as well.
We know nothing but have been reading and see that gas and leisure battery in the same place is a big no no.
So just wondering where on earth could we put the gas bottle and whether we have even found the right place for the leisure battery.
on a van that age ,a lot of them had the battery stored under the front bench seats usually on the right hand side of van facing forward ,what you really need to look for is the wires that will carry the 12v lights etc from the battery .
no caravan works on electric hook up only ,the usual set up is incoming mains voltage to a transformer /regulator ,that charges a inline 12 v battery to power the internal lights (they are all 12v) and gives 240 v mains power to any sockets .
seek out the wires that go to the battery they should either have battery terminal connectors or even alligator clips on them wherever they are is where your battery goes
Should be a battery box on off side or nearside of the van ? you will find 2 wires one red and one black.Red is the positive marked + with reference to the battery.Black wire is marked with a minus sign - make sure you fit these wire on properly.
Gas bottles are usually stored in the front of the van and you should see an orange looking hose.To this you should have a regulator either blue or red...blue is butane and fits blue gas bottles..red is propane and fit red bottles of gas.
Penny 71, cousin has a Freedom Sunseeker which also has battery in front locker alongside the gas bottle, not really Health & Safety pc but that's how it is in a lot of old vans. In her newer caravan the battery is under one of the front bench seats, I suppose if you can trace where the cables originate from you might be able to re-locate. We have a space for the battery in a side locker where the electric lead goes (although only just acquired a battery) and managed perfectly well without one for 2 years - however we don't go to rally's or festivals
The reason why you are not supposed to store a leisure battery in the same compartment as cas cylinders is because in the eventuallity of a minor gas leak and a possible spark ignition from the battery then it requires no explanation as to what will happen. It's no different to carbon monoxide poisoning, people either take constructive advice for their own safety or they ignore it. I believe you can buy a sealed battery box that you can keep the leisure battery in under the seat but it has to be sealed because of vapours from the charging process. Hope this helps.
We found the 12v battery in the bottom of the wardrobe on one very old caravan. Had been retrofitted I think to supply a couple of strip lights and a lighter socket. Still had the old gas mantle lights on the walls too.
I would imagine a 1989 model would already have 12v electrics as standard so would be tempted to be looking for an outside locker myself.
Whichever it turns out to be... Good luck with your search.
Look for the ehu pick up follow the wires to the consumer unit which is connected to the battery charger, look for the 12v wires and fuses, follow to battery connectors.
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Topic: Leisure Battery
