flat battery

Post by **mattc** » 29 Feb 2008, 10:23

I have just had a van delivered from germany on tuesday - I haven't been driving it yet because I'm not taxing it until tomorrow but I've had the interior light on for a few hours on wednesday evening while I was cleaning it. I came to do the same last night and found the battery was dead. It's only got one battery connected at the mo, that's the main battery. I checked the charge on the unconnected leisure battery and it read 12.5 I think. The dead one read .45.

I'm going to swap them over and I've got the dud on charge now but I'm worried that I have some dodgy wiring somewhere which is earthing out. I know how to check the alternator charge and the battery with the multimeter but does anyone know how you can check the vehicle wiring with a multimeter?

I'm not an electrically minded person but I assume there will be a draw on the battery if something's earthing?

cheers

Post by **clartsonly** » 29 Feb 2008, 11:52

I'm going to swap them over

I am not sure a lesuire battery should be used as a main battery?

maybe the battery is just no good?

Post by **Titus A Duxass** » 29 Feb 2008, 12:18

clartsonly is correct, a true leisure battery should no be used to start your bus, you'll DonaldDuck it.

With the ignition off!

Check for current drain by disconneting the leads going to the postive battery terminal and putting the multimeter (set to measures amps) between the batter and each lead. The meter negative lead should be connected to the battery positive and the meter positive should be connected to the leads (one at a time).

You should have a very low indication of current flow (amps), I'm guessing less than 0.25. Anything more and you have a problem somewhere.

The most likely outcome is that the starter battery is kaput. After you have charged it, if it loses its charge quicky (overnight or within a couple of days) then it is past its best.

Post by **mattc** » 29 Feb 2008, 12:31

which battery should the second battery be? It looked to be exactly the same to me! (maybe it is, the van is a converted multivan)

Post by **Titus A Duxass** » 29 Feb 2008, 12:46

Good question.
Going from memory mine leisure battery is totally white in colour and has stickers say that it is not a normal lead acid battery. It also states something about the deep draining capability or lack of.

If you want I'll check over the weekend and report back.

But I would make a note of what is written on your two batteries (along with any numbers) and post the details on here. There will be someone who can explain it.

Post by **mattc** » 29 Feb 2008, 13:03

That would be good. thanks (PM me if you like) I'm just hoping I'm not opening up a whole world of pain. this is my first van and I want to go and play in it, not with it!

Post by **edoh** » 29 Feb 2008, 15:52

it may be that a previous owner changed the leisure battery to an ordinary start up battery ( a common thing) - worth checking -

to do your battery voltage check - can try 20v n your multimeter - red n black leads to positive and negative on start up battery - should be 12.5 volt ish - with engine on and runnig should be 13.5+ volt ish - if not - possible alternator charging problems -
always useful to check earths in battery compartment - under van gearbox - and in engine compartment - for cleanliness/security -

to check possible drain - see -
https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/VW ... ging_cause

and identify which circuit/component drain might be on -

Post by **edoh** » 29 Feb 2008, 15:54

ps -
playig with/and playing in -
might turn out to be the same thing!

Post by **mattc** » 29 Feb 2008, 17:31

cheers all
something for the weekend I guess!