Leisure Battery power query

[Torkijo]

Hi, getting confused again.

Tested the leisure battery when in the van and it was dead, took it out and retested and showing 6.8v
All connectors are clean and pillar fuses OK, there was a very thin wire connected to the negative alongside the brown lead but it didn't go anywhere- - looked almost like a thin radio aerial lead!

Can anyone tell me what's going on?

[kevtherev]

going on?
What do you mean?
Do you mean why is the battery dead?


How old is it?
does it hold a charge?
have you tried charging it up on a charger?
is it discharging overnight?

you'll have to be a bit more specific

[Torkijo]

Apologies, main question was why it shows as zero when connected but 6.4v when out. Charged it for about 8 hours and it got to 10.5v, unplugged it last night, came back this evening and its back to 6.4v so guessing battery dying. No idea as to age as it was in the van when we got it last year so going to just replace it with a new one i think - but concerned about the difference showing when in and out of the van - does that mean a bigger problem?

[kevtherev]

Nope
it just means it's utterly shagged

You can use a starter battery if your a bit strapped a UK code 096 will fit in the battery box.
if your leisure usage is just lights and phone chargers then it's a good alternative.

once the new battery is on then check it for discharge.
if you have a radio with a memory and your battery is wired to it then there will be 1/4 of an amp going to it

[1664]

main question was why it shows as zero when connected but 6.4v when out

Voltage will collapse with the slightest load connected if the battery's flat - and 6.4v is flat.
The fact the battery voltage collapsed after you took it out, charged it and left it does rather suggest it's had it anyway.............

[Torkijo]

Ordered the one from the wiki that fits under the seat in the Westy as it feeds the Fridge (Well it will when it works again) and the heater.

Thanks folks

[kevtherev]

Ordered the one from the wiki that fits under the seat in the Westy as it feeds the Fridge

Thanks folks

no it doesn't, your alternator feeds the fridge, when the engine is running.

If it does feed the fridge with the engine off that's why the battery is dead

[Torkijo]

Ordered the one from the wiki that fits under the seat in the Westy as it feeds the Fridge

Thanks folks

no it doesn't, your alternator feeds the fridge, when the engine is running.

If it does feed the fridge with the engine off that's why the battery is dead

Oh, so what does it feed in a Club Joker? - i presumed the 2 fuses were for the heater and the fridge unit.

[kevtherev]

yes the fuses are for the fridge and heater.
All the appliances are fused.
The fridge will take power from the battery only when the engine is running the alternator.. so it has to be fused in case it has a problem, as it draws a lot of amps, which could start a fire.
I believe this is stated in the manual

[Torkijo]

yes the fuses are for the fridge and heater.
All the appliances are fused.
The fridge will take power from the battery only when the engine is running the alternator.. so it has to be fused in case it has a problem, as it draws a lot of amps, which could start a fire.
I believe this is stated in the manual

Thank, does that mean the Heater is the onle draw on the leisure battery when engine off? Hence the Mod talked about?

[California Dreamin]

Does that mean the Heater is the only draw on the leisure battery when engine off? Hence the Mod talked about?Mod talked about? if you mean the interior light/radio mod? then no because 'the mod' adds interior lights/radio to the leisure battery as well as the camping strip lights, eberspacher heating and electric pump for the sink.
But
With the benefit of isolating the starter battery so it will be ready to start the engine on the morning of your departure.

Martin

[Torkijo]

Does that mean the Heater is the only draw on the leisure battery when engine off? Hence the Mod talked about?Mod talked about? if you mean the interior light/radio mod? then no because 'the mod' adds interior lights/radio to the leisure battery as well as the camping strip lights, eberspacher heating and electric pump for the sink.
But
With the benefit of isolating the starter battery so it will be ready to start the engine on the morning of your departure.

Martin

Hi Martin

Thats sort of what i meant, at present the only draw when engine off is the heater so its sensible to do the modification to both utilise the Leisure and save the main battery

[California Dreamin]

I've fitted a simple heavy duty switch to isolate the leisure from the eber, some people remove the fuse in between camping, a switch is much easier.

Martin