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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.....
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.

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.
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