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Leisure Battery and charger testing

Posted: 25 Jun 2008, 20:46
by Bramsley
I need to find out if either my leisure battery or my battery charger isn't working properly.

Can anyone recommend a good battery tester and whether there is a similar tool I can buy to test the charger? :?

Also how can I tell what sort of leisure battery I have ? (gel? acid? Does it matter?? :? :? ).

The extent of my knowledge in anything electrical is that I know there are volts and amps, but I haven't got a clue what they are or why they are different. :? :? :? :? :?

I think the best thing is for me to test something and see what isn't working. And then ask you good people more questions. :(

Thank you

Posted: 25 Jun 2008, 21:59
by Fritz
Bram,, If I was you I'd be finding yourself a very local auto electrician who will answer all your questions and do some tests which will take all of a few minutes to complete.

For us to engauge in the do's and dont's via the net will be the reason why this has been posted for the second time.....


:D

Regards

Fritz,,,,,,,,,

Nearest bloke I could send you to who will give you an honest answer would have to be Steve Shaw at 'Gassure' Queensferry...

Posted: 25 Jun 2008, 23:25
by Bramsley
Fritz,

Thanks for the advice. You're probably right. : :( sigh :
I just didn't want to keep pestering Steve. We've been to him a few times already in the 6 weeks we've had the van and he's been really helpful fitting us in a short notice and helping us out with the company we bought the van from. I was hoping this might have been something I could have sorted for myself. Ah well. :roll:

Posted: 26 Jun 2008, 08:55
by irishkeet
Bramsley

just get yourself a multimeter - only £5 for a cheap one

do a search on the site there is a wealth of information on how to test your charger, batteries and split charge system

here is one from the wiki to get you started

https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Ca ... it_charger

irishkeet

Posted: 26 Jun 2008, 11:17
by Bramsley
Thanks Irishkeet.

I've found some threads on how to test (batteries anyway), but the different types of tester are bewildering. I thought the cheaper ones would only do small household batteries, but I'll get on to Maplin and see what they recommend. :D

The other thing is the battery charger I have - its a Hella Charger 10a automatic but I haven't got any manuals for it, and don't know which switches should be on or off when I'm hooked up to the mains. When I'm hooked up I can switch the 'Lamp' switch on and the lamp on the charger works, but the red on/off swicth doesn't light up and the needle on the dial doesn't move whatever position the switches are.

I'm trying to track down a manual, as I don't want to damage the leisure battery by using it incorrectly.

Thanks again