I know to most this may be a silly question, but we have never removed a car battery before, so how do we remove the caravan battery to bring home from storage to keep charged over the winter? Do the terminals just pull off, do we need to twist, unscrew etc? Will any tools other than a screwdriver for the front bracket be needed?
On newer models of caravan the battery is connected with press on terminals, no tools required. On older model a small spanner is required. Hope this helps.
It's not really possible to say without seeing your layout.
Most battery terminals need a spanner to remove them, but some just have clips. Battery clamps can use loads of different fixings.
Remember to remove the positive terminal first, and the negative terminal last.
John Wickersham, in his Caravan Manual, recommends the opposite. "When removing a battery, disconnect the negative terminal first; when installing a battery connect the negative terminal last"
Before removal or reconnection turn off your control panel. Keep the battery in its box when removing
Phil
------------- If you're not on a fell your wasting your feet and for 2014 it's.......Feb Castleton Mar North Yors Moors; Apr Sutton on Sea; May Thirsk; Jun Clapham/Riverside (Lakes); July Wharfedale; August Crakehall; Sept Knaresborough; Oct Wirral Park/Clitheroe
Often a 10mm spanner is required to undo clamps, otherwise a small adjustable should do the job. Or it may have quick release clamps which just unclip.
Quote: Originally posted by cwdc56768 on 15/11/2012
Remember to remove the positive terminal first, and the negative terminal last.
And the logic underpinning that statement is please?
I think the response was merely quoting my previous statement, which was obviously incorrect.
Note to self - don`t make postings after consuming several bottles of Henry Westons 2011 vintage cider. It took me about 20 minutes to post that last night as the keys kept changing places with each other, so don`t expect the content to be accurate either!
Quote: Originally posted by cwdc56768 on 15/11/2012
Remember to remove the positive terminal first, and the negative terminal last.
John Wickersham, in his Caravan Manual, recommends the opposite. "When removing a battery, disconnect the negative terminal first; when installing a battery connect the negative terminal last"
Before removal or reconnection turn off your control panel. Keep the battery in its box when removing
Phil
<!-- Message body -->
I always thought this advice was more relevant to car batteries rather than caravan batteries. The logic being that if you remove the positive terminal first, the negative is still connected to the car chassis and engine (earth), so there is still a possibility of a short circuit if, for example, a spanner is dropped into the engine bay and touches the positive terminal. If you disconnect the negative first, however, the risk is much less.
In a caravan, the battery is usually in a plastic compartment, so I wouldn't have thought it makes any difference what order you disconnect them. Either way will break the circuit.
Quote: Originally posted by iscacamper on 15/11/2012
I always thought this advice was more relevant to car batteries rather than caravan batteries. The logic being that if you remove the positive terminal first, the negative is still connected to the car chassis and engine (earth), so there is still a possibility of a short circuit if, for example, a spanner is dropped into the engine bay and touches the positive terminal. If you disconnect the negative first, however, the risk is much less.
nope, thats pretty much it, on the caravan it doesnt really make a difference,
You only do it the other way once, when the spanner touches the body when you're undoing it and removes a lump of paint with a big spark to know to do it -ve first...
I still do -ve first out of habit though on the van.
The point of removing the negative first and the positive last and refitting in the reverse order is to avoid short circuits if the spanner touches the car body. If the spanner is on the positive terminal and the negative is still connected then it will short circuit (assuming the vehicle is a negative earth which unless it is 40 odd years old it will be)
With the caravan battery box being insulated it is not so important with a caravan battery.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Removing a battery
