Sorry if this seems a bumb question, i am new to caravaning and still getting my head round everything.
Ive pretty much sorted everything out on our new caravan.
The only question im a little stuck on is whether i can charge my battery whilst driving.
I know that if i switch to car mode and the fridge to 12v it will run on the car whilst im driving. If i also swictch the charger on will it then charge the leisure battery at the same time?
Hi suggett1976, Welcome to the forum.
You don't need to switch the charger on - it's only for use on electric - so if your car is wired correctly, the caravan battery will charge whilst you are driving.(As soon as you stop your engine, the charge will stop).
You could measure the voltage across the battery terminals whilst the engine's running. It will rise slightly if it's charging. I don't think that much charge will go into the caravan battery whilst towing, particularly if the fridge is on. You can experiment though as the voltage will rise more if you switch the fridge off.
I see that you have a Swift Charisma, check your manual because i am pretty sure that to charge the battery, the caravan/car switch needs to be in the middle position, which is normally the off position (thats what mine says anyway). There is a relay which cuts power to the battery if you switch it to the car positon. Perhaps someone with more knowledge will enlighten us.
To check your battery is charging. With car hooked up to caravan & engine running, fast tickover, check caravan battery with voltmeter. should be reading well over 13 volts. Turn engine off & voltage will drop back.
caravan position
when in this position dc power is available from the caravan battery to power all 12v electric circuits.
If the charger is switched on the caravan battery will be charged via the charger unit.
Central position
when in this position with the charger switched on power is provided to all 12v circuits via the charger only.
With the charger off all dc circuits are isolated.
The switch should be placed in this position when driving.
Car position
the switch can be placed in this position should the caravan battery become discharged and no mains power available.
First of all the vehicle should be connected to the van.
Charger switch
when the caravan battery requires charging press this switch to the on position. Also ensure the switch is in the van position
Quote: Originally posted by suggett1976 on 23/6/2010
Ok. Put this into laymans terms.
Car/van selector switch
caravan position
when in this position dc power is available from the caravan battery to power all 12v electric circuits.
If the charger is switched on the caravan battery will be charged via the charger unit.
Your caravan battery is powering your 12v items.Switch on the charger (if hooked up to mains) and it will charge the battery.
Central position
when in this position with the charger switched on power is provided to all 12v circuits via the charger only.
With the charger off all dc circuits are isolated.
The switch should be placed in this position when driving.
Switch on charger (if hooked up to mains)Charger supplies 12v items.Otherwise all 12v isolated.
Car position
the switch can be placed in this position should the caravan battery become discharged and no mains power available.
First of all the vehicle should be connected to the van.
Your car will charge battery (subject to correct socket being fitted)
Charger switch
when the caravan battery requires charging press this switch to the on position. Also ensure the switch is in the van position
It sounds to me that it should be in centre position when driving as that's what it says.
On modern vans, there is a relay in the caravan that senses if the engine is running or not. With engine running, the battery charges and all 12v circuits re isolated. (12v circuits are your lights etc inside the van)
With engine not running, the 12v circuits in the van work from the car battery.
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Topic: Can i charge my battery whilst driving?
