Club 80-90 Forums

So I have a 1.9dg (with electric fuel pump) and I’m getting a flat battery. I have a 120wat sola on roof trickle charging starter battery with max 1wat going in and its going flat quickly. Quite a new ish batter and does hold a charge. No draw back to panels as have tested. Put on charge this evening turned the key one click and it blew the fues in the charger. Ideas on where to start looking please. Been a bit of a prob over winter but have kept charged and runs well.
Thank people


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disconnect solar
disconnect battery positive
measure with an ameter the current draw with everything off

I had to replace my battery this week after the frost killed it.
It was "new-ish" too and had been kept charged and I thought it was good but it still died.
You might want to disconnect your charger before starting the van.

What are the symptoms that lead you to the conclusion that the battery is flat?

I ask because you have a 120W panel but say only 1W is going into your battery, which isn't normal. How are you measuring that 1W going in?
I take it you do have a solar panel charge controller unit in the circuit? (there is a good reason for me asking this).

Just before you attempt to start the van, measure the battery voltage with your multimeter (not one of those cheap panel mount Volt meters).
If the panel has been doing it's job, trickle charging, it should be in the region of 12.8 to 13.6 Volts (or maybe even a bit higher, but not much).

If you have for sure determined that the battery is indeed flat, then follow itchyfeet's advice and report back. Some radios can sap excessive battery power even when switched off, Some Sony ones are particularly bad for this.

bigbadbob76 wrote: You might want to disconnect your charger before starting the van.

+1 on that

I didn’t start it on charge just turned the key to get the lights on.
I’m sure it’s a trickle charge on the 1wat but I’m blond to electrics. I have it charging the leisure with solar and it’s showing 13+ on them batteries. Yes to the controller and it’s a votronic mpp 165. I have checked and tested the Panle’s with help from where I bought it that’s all fine and working. Radio? Good thinking. Will keep looking.
Thanks peps


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I'm sorry, this isn't going to be helpful, but I've been chuckling to myself all day at the thought of a flattering battery. I'm sure there must be a market for them, perhaps a sarcastic battery as well.



Good luck with finding the drain

[WHITE SMILING FACE]️ just seen.


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