I have a Swift Abbey GTS 215 (2007)
What I am trying to find out is ref the charging of the leisure battery.
I need to be able to use my motor mover when I get the caravan out after it has been over wintered or laid up for a while.
To do this I need a well charged battery.
I'm trying to find the positions for the switches on the main panel and the panel above the entrance doorway so I can charge the battery up.
I know that this is probably a simple issue for many people out their in caravan world, but being reasonably new to caravaning I'm still learning.
The panel above the entrance door is a AC50 Control Panel and the other mains panel is a NE2006-CWS
MANY THANKS IN ANTICIPATION OF YOUR HELP.
Pete
The switch on the far right (with a picture of a battery above) will have two positions which are CAR and VAN which the former is for when hooked up to the towing vehicle and the latter for when detached from the CAR and using the leisure battery on site. Therefore it will be the VAN position that the switch should be in when charging from a 240 volt mains supply, however, all you have to do is look at the battery condition gauge on the right of the control panel and the finger should register a current. If you flick the switch to CAR there will be no register as there will be no power supply from the towing vehicle (CAR).
The mains power from the cable goes through to the onboard charger so if there is no register on the gauge then there is most likely another switch that switches the onboard charger on.
Thank you for your very comprehensive answer to my question Tango 55. I will ensure that the switch is in the Van position..
Probably another stupid question but at the same time would I also have to switch the Battery Charger switch on..That being the one under the Car/Van switch on the mains NE2006-CWS Panel. ?
Sorry but one more I've just thought of.
To stop the battery draining when in storage, do I simply turn the Main Isolator off on the NE2006-CWS Panel.
Once again Thanks Very Much for your kind assistance.
Pete
Yes, you need the battery charger switched on that's why in my first post I said there may be another isolation switch.
If the caravan is in storage when not in use then the leisure battery will slowly drain if it is not being re-charged by solar panel etc. therefore the best option is to remove the leisure battery and take it home and charge it frequently via a deep cycle smart charger.
My caravan is in storage but bring my leisure battery home and keep it on charge 24/7 via a smart charger which is the best type to use. It charges in stages as the computer detects the amount of charge required without excessive over charging and once fully charged will be kept on a float charge which means that the gases in the battery are not allowed to over heat causing the internal plates to buckle. This means that the battery life is not prematurely exhausted which in the long extends the life of the battery.
There are various smart chargers on the market but as a general guide the one shown in the link is a reputable brand of charger.
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Topic: Leisure Battery Charging
