I bought a new 110ah battery just before our 2 week holiday at the beginning of August and when the can is not being used I normally turn the mains power on to the van for one evening per week as we keep it in the drive. This keeps the battery to full charge.
However we got back from our one week holiday from Wales just over a week ago ( it had been on mains hook up all week whilst away).
I went out last night to put the mains on for the evening and checked the voltage before putting it on and was only showing 7.4 v !
Am I right in thinking this battery has had it?
It's only 3 months old and since being home from Wales just over s week ago, has had no power drain other than the alarm ?
Also the voltage display was pre fixed with letters I have never seen before which was UC 7.4v ?
I switched the mains on last night and it after a few hours in charge showed a reading of 12.4 volts but now I an not sure I can trust the battery?
The caravan charger is working fine, when the mains is on the display shows around 13.6 volts.
What do you think?
Hi Vectratot
No I don't have a Status, I have the whip type Aerial (avtex type) but don't use it as I have the Teleco roof mounted sat dish. I don't think I left the power switched on to it, this would not drain the battery though would it? I thought you had to have the caravans power switch to on even if running on 12v, and the switch was off?
Was the battery charger switched on? We had a few days away and whilst connecting everything up i thought it odd not to see an increase in battery voltage when putting the mains on.
Whilst away previously on a non EHU pitch i must have turned it off.
If the battery has not been left discharged for too long it should recharge and recover fine.
I fitted a battery change over switch, I can select whether the battery is connected to the caravan, mover, both or isolated. No drain on the battery at all
Grampian's suggestion of the charger being off could be valid, otherwise you might have a drain somewhere.
Depending on the alarm type fitted, some run off their own battery but occasionally top-up their charge from the leisure battery; as the alarms own battery becomes weaker, the system could be putting a higher demand on the van battery for this recharge process.
Is there chance a radio has been running? In-laws forgot once and left the radio on when turned down. Because it was in a cupboard, it just got forgotten (most vans will power off the radio when 12v off, but some don't).
Only other idea is a weak/poor battery connection that can effect the charging current.
You can disregard the fridge as a potential cause as the 12v fridge circuit only runs from car battery during towing.
Our 2010 bailey fridge had to be switched off otherwise the light stays on when the door is held slightly open to stop mould. This will drain the battery.
This is an email I had from bailey about it and a couple of other battery drain issues I was worried about.
Dear xxxxx
Thank you for your email regarding your Bailey Ranger GT60 520-4
The illumination on the voltmeter cannot be switched off, it is an LED and power draw will be approx. 10mA.
There is no visual indication that the fridge is working whilst being towed.
The caravan battery will be charged whilst towing via pin 10, the same supply as the fridge.
The master switch controls every 12v function except the 12v light in the fridge(all fridge controls must be in off position for light not to operate when door is opened and the self testing feature on the charging system (only draws maximum of 5mA).
There is no indicator to show 230v function, unfortunately fridge manufacturers no longer fit either mains or 12v indicator lights.
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Topic: Battery Help Please
