Does Propex heater need mains electric?

[LSW41N]

Hi all. I'm fairly new to this game! Can I run my propex compact 1600 heater when I'm not plugged in to the mains - i.e. when I'm camping in the wilderness?

[Titus A Duxass]

The propex uses battery power only.

[cleagarr]

Hi all. I'm fairly new to this game! Can I run my propex compact 1600 heater when I'm not plugged in to the mains - i.e. when I'm camping in the wilderness?

Yes. Leisure battery pack needed - search "propex", "leisure", "sterling", "charge" and "solar" and you'll get enough info to keep you going for a while......

[Titus A Duxass]

Or you can just put a starter battery under the seat and fit a suitable split charge relay - much cheaper.
Have a browse through the wiki and search on here.

[cleagarr]

Missed "Split" (as in charge!!). Don't think I was recommending anything - Just suggesting some search terms for wider reading. Always better to read as much as you can I think (from experience I know this can save upset in the long run!!)

[LSW41N]

Thanks guys. Not had my van long but the propex heater only fires up when it's plugged in to the mains, so I'm guessing that is the way it has been wired up. I'll do a bit of research and have a look at the wiring.

[kevtherev]

Really?
Has your van got a zig unit?
Thing is, the propex will not use 230v AC electricity, so something is converting it to 12v DC.
It would suggest your leisure battery is useless...if you have one.

[ringo]

Night heaters do not work with low voltages as they are designed to switch off before they completely flatten your battery - which is a good thing generally. Low voltages can occur by worn batteries or poor condition wiring.

It sounds to me that you are suffering from low voltage. When you plug into the mains, your battery charger kicks in and solves all your low voltage issues (by raising it to 14.5v or thereabouts).

So as Kev says, it could be a knackered battery (or indeed, it could be missing) - or it could be poor condition wiring.

First things first, check your leisure battery voltage with a volt meter.

Tell us what the volts are at the leisure battery when:
a) Unplugged from the mains - propex off, engine off (should be around 13v)
b) Plugged into the mains - propex off, engine off (should be around 14.5v)
c) Unplugged from the mains - propex ON engine off (should be no lower than 10.7v (or around there) while the propex starts up)
and just out of interest:
d) Unplugged from the mains - propex off, engine ON (should be around 14.5v)

Lets hope you just need a new battery

Cheers,

Ringo

[LSW41N]

Kev the rev - yep, got the standard zig on Auto Sleeper conversion. The battery indicator is showing as good (green light) but not sure how accurate these things are? I will follow Ringo's advice and measure the various outputs on the leisure battery and get back to you. Thanks again guys - this site is fan-bloody-tastic! BTW Kev, seen your bus in the 'garage' - stunning, well done mate!

[kevtherev]

what year is the van?

[LSW41N]

1988 (Hi Top) .... battery readings to follow later.

[LSW41N]

Right then, leisure battery readings as follows:

a) Vehicle standing 'as is': 12.4 v
b) Vehicle standing but plugged in to mains: 13.1 v
c) Vehicle standing but with Propex on: 12.2 v
d) Vehicle with engine on: 13.2 v

With this in mind I gave the leisure battery a good charge (reading for 'a' is now 13.4 v) and hey presto the heating fired up. I'll see how the battery goes, but I accept that I may have to buy a new leisure battery (just weeks after buying a new vehicle battery).

Thank you for the help - that's a little bit more camper van knowledge for me!

[kevtherev]

do you charge the leisure battery at all?
have you ever charged it?

[LSW41N]

Hi Kev. I bought the van last September and was told that the leisure battery gets a charge when the van is running. Plus the green light on the zig tells me that the charge is good whenever I check. Apart from that, this is the first time I've taken it off to charge it.

[kevtherev]

yes it does get a charge...but it takes two hours or more to charge a leisure battery up on an alternator.
Leisure batteries like phased charging, to charge them up to 100%
Starter batteries can be charged very quickly, but they are different animals

you have been given mis information

I charge my 110 every time we return from a weekend away.. it keeps it in top condition.