Flat battery

[philandmarian]

My wonderful partner Phil died in November leaving me in sole charge of our Westfalia T25, known as Freda. Being a sparky he knew the van inside out, where-as I don't have a clue! I hadn't run her for a week or 2 and now her battery is flat, the main one. What's the best way of charging her up? I remember Phil saying that the mains hook up didn't charge the batteries, that was an optional extra. If I hook up to the mains, can I plug the charger into the socket next to the back seat and then connect to the battery and is that a simple thing to do, ie can a complete idiot like me do it without blowing anything up?

[California Dreamin]

Hiya....
I am suprised as most Westies have the black box charger under the left side (as you lift the rear seat) This charges both batteries whilst the hookup is plugged in.
However...if you are sure yours hasn't got this then of course you can just plug in a 'standalone' battery charger and connect it straight to the battery.

Connect the crocadile terminals first (RED to Positive terminal sign +)
Black crocadile clip to Negative terminal -
Then plug into your socket....hookup lead connected outside.

Leave connected at least overnight (ideally 12 - 16 hours from flat) although there will probably be enough charge in there after 30 minutes to start her up.
Once one battery is charged swap the charger over to the other

Main starter battery is behind the passenger seat on a left hand drive westy....leisure battery behind the drivers seat.
Martin

[Ralf85]

Once the battery is charged up, I would drive it to your trusted garage and get them to check/change your battery as necessary. If you did not leave anything switched and it has gone flat in just two weeks in this weather it sounds like you need to get a new one fitted. It takes about ten minutes to change one. Good luck.
Patrick

[philandmarian]

Many thanks for the advice Martin and Patrick. I haven't found the charger yet, so not managed to do anything about the flat battery. We moved just before Phil died and I still cannot find things. I remember the charger being in our old kitchen with Phil's bike battery so I know we have one somewhere. I might just bite the bullet and buy a new one! I'll get the battery checked out too though.
And thanks for the detailed instructions. They're just what I needed.

[California Dreamin]

It can't be easy for you Marian.....but you will always find help and support here and not just for the van


Martin

[philandmarian]

That's nice to know, thanks Martin. I want to keep using Freda because I feel close to Phil there and he loved her so much. He had an awful time the last 2 years, but Freda was a Godsend for him. She has a bed so he could lie down, a toilet and room for all his meds. Freda gave him freedom to travel but was also a haven to hide away in.

Right, back to batteries. I tried to connect the red crocodile clip to the positive terminal and there was a flash. Is that meant to happen or was I dong something wrong? I'm not sure which bit of the terminal I'm to clip it to. I'm guessing any of the metal bits. That's what I was trying to do but abandoned it when there was a flash. Is that normal? I can imagine Phil is shouting the answer to me!
Also the positive terminal was covered by a piece of cardboard stuck down with tape. The leisure battery has the same. Any ideas why?

Thanks.

[AdrianC]

Right, back to batteries. I tried to connect the red crocodile clip to the positive terminal and there was a flash. Is that meant to happen or was I dong something wrong? I'm not sure which bit of the terminal I'm to clip it to. I'm guessing any of the metal bits. That's what I was trying to do but abandoned it when there was a flash. Is that normal?

No, definitely not...

Also the positive terminal was covered by a piece of cardboard stuck down with tape. The leisure battery has the same. Any ideas why?

Because all the metal in the van body is electrically connected (it's called the "earth") to the negative terminal. If the +ve terminal contacts the metal lid to the flap, sparks will result - and there's no fuse in the way to save you. At best, the earth strap connecting the battery to the body will eventually melt.

There should be a better solution - a plastic flap or similar. But a bit of cardboard and gaffer tape is a better solution than nothing (and it's what we've got, too - one day, that'll rise to the top of the To Do list at the same time as I actually have both time and memory)

I suspect what happened when you got the flash from the jump lead was that you managed to contact something bodywork as well as the battery terminal.

[LittleMissSunshine]

Not sure I can help at all but just wanted to say hello and good luck with your van. I am a complete newbie too and the lovely people on the forum have helped me no end.

I do hope you get sorted, my van is my haven too, they are great therapy during hard times. I drove mine today just to make a cuppa by the seaside and have a think all alone after a bad week.

[ghost123uk]

Marian, if you had the battery charger switched on when you connected it to the battery you could well have got a spark. Also (as has been said) make sure the red lead/clip is attached to any part of the +ve terminal on the battery but is well clear of ANY other metal bits (such as the seat base or the box the battery sits in). The black lead/clip is a lot less fussy and goes on the other (-ve) terminal on the battery.

Normal procedure is to connect the charger to the battery, checking TWICE that you have got the red and black leads the right way around (as said Red to the +ve on the battery) and only then switch the power on.
If you do this carefully all should be well and the battery will charge up overnight.

Battery chargers usually have a meter or a set of LED's that light up to indicate charging is taking place, often, with a flat battery the meter needle (or the LED lights) will go right over for the first hour or so.

[ghost123uk]

p.s. We have a vast collection of technical information in our "wiki" here = https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I was looking to see who is near you to help with any little "issues" you come across with Freda when I realised that our valued member "Spannerboy" is near you and he is a mobile T25 mechanic with a good reputation for his work and for being helpful.

Details (taken from here = https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Ga ... .26_Sussex" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ) =

Spannerboy (Simon), Guildford - tel 07817 865 722 (full address not known at this time)

80-90 member Spannerboy (Simon) says = I do everything except bodywork, so all engine including conversions, scoobys are my speciality, I do lots of upgrades like I keep braided hoses in stock, lots of powerflex, avo suspension kits, etc. I keep many new and seconhands bits in stock, I hate not having a part.. Ghost123uk : says = Simon has a good reputation on Club 80-90, many folks have used him and often post back to say THANKS Simon for your help.

[philandmarian]

I think we bought the van from Simon in 2009 and he got it through the MOT for us last year. I should have rung him straight away! Lovely chap!
Was just trying to be a bit independent with something that any bloke would find easy!!

The charger wasn't turned on and don't think it touched anything else. Will have another go this morning with thick gloves on and if that doesn't work I'll call Simon tomorrow.

[philandmarian]

Managed to connect the charger today, no problem (apart from trying to keep the cats outside the van). It's charging at 2 amps, voltage is 14.4 and I think this clever gadget may be telling me it's already 90% charged in which case it's not the battery that is causing the problem anyway! Or it may be telling me 9.0%. who knows? I'll look in on it in an hour or so and see what's happened.
Thanks to everyone who has helped me and thanks for the messages of support.
Marian.

PS. I hope it's not me that's flouting the rules! I blame my inexperience.

[philandmarian]

Ok now I am hugely embarrassed!

The battery was at 90%. It wasn't flat at all! It was in gear!!! Don't normally leave it in gear but Phil used to nag me for using the handbrake all the time when I wasn't using Freda, he preferred to leave it in gear and last time I tried to drive away, the handbrake didn't want to release so when I parked up later I left it in gear! I remember now. Just hope I haven't done any damage repeatedly trying to start it when it was in gear.
Aaagh!!
The good news is I'm now charging my flat leisure battery and know how to operate the charger and all the pitfalls to avoid.
Marian.

[LittleMissSunshine]

I think you should keep a Campervan diary - I do, and re-reading it makes me smile! Glad you worked it out

[California Dreamin]

Hi Marian, I see you have sorted things with the help from other members.....a flat battery (I know your isn't) will take anything between 12 & 16 hours to fully charge with your average home mechanic charger.

Hope to see you at one of the many camps or shows over the coming months.

Martin