Club 80-90 Forums

On my 82 Westy, it has, I believe a built in charger which operates when it is plugged into the mains - does this mean if my van won't start one morning I can just plug her in and start her up?!

Also, will the mains electricity charge uo the starter battery first, then the second battery, or both at the same time?

Thanks!

no!! it wont just start cos its plugged into the mains
its a trickle charger not like having a jump pack!!

it takes a while to charge your batteries.

It charges them both at the same time as far as I can remember. It's a very simple charger and just puts out the power to both batteries rather than switch between the 2. If you have off road parking you could always plug it in overnight if you think the battery might go flat? If I had off road parking I'd plug it in but put an electric heater in the back to keep it frost free and warm! A low powered radiator type that is.

Thank you - and also for the heater idea, I might just do that to get rid of some of the damp. Cheers!

Also, whilst on electrics - how do I know what device is conected to what battery - especially all the 12 volt sockets everywhere... just disconect the main battery and see what still works?

And finally... I think by second abttery is dead as the eberspacher heater won't kick in unless the engine is running, but how can I check properly if it is dead or not? The lights below the sink... do they tell you? If so how do they work? (no manual you see!)

Thanks again!

It would be easier if there was somebody round stockport, Manchester who could spare me an hour to go through the van??!

if its still the way it left the westy factory the only thing connected to your leisure batt is the eber and fridge. everything else is to the starter battery. there is a mod which can be done to take the lights stereo and fag sockets to the leisure. (which isnt actually a leisure but a normal car battery).

take the battery to be tested at a battery shop. they will normally check the output of your alternator too.

try looking in the wiki there is a westy manual there.

Thanks for all the help! I'll check out the wiki page, and get the battery tested.

Just to make this clear: It only charges both batteries in late model Euro-spec Westys. In early Westys, it only charges the main battery as a lesuire battery connection was never supplied.

I'm sure it charges both in mine - 81 Westy. I'd go and try it now but I took the charger out when I took my Eber off with the intention of getting it running and haven't put either back yet.

My info is based on my 1982 Vanagon Westy. This may be different than the Euros-spec ones. Sorry.

Does anyone know if this charger will overcharge the batteries if left on too long?

If on some westy versions the charger doesn't recharge the leisure battery... well how WOULD you recharge it?!?! Just when you were driving?

Oh, and what would be the best replacement leisure battery for an 82 westy T25 then... someobdy said it was just another starter battery?

Cheers.

Helga wrote:If on some westy versions the charger doesn't recharge the leisure battery... well how WOULD you recharge it?!?! Just when you were driving?

Yep

Helga wrote:Oh, and what would be the best replacement leisure battery for an 82 westy T25 then... someobdy said it was just another starter battery?

Lots of people use a standard battery rather than a true leisure battery. The advantage is that if your normal battery goes flat, you can use it to jump start your van

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syncroand101 wrote:Does anyone know if this charger will overcharge the batteries if left on too long?

You can't over charge it. Onced the battery voltage reaches the charger voltage no more current can flow into the battery no matter how long you leave the charger on. (Assuming the charger is the right sort for the battery of course)

Lots of people use a standard battery rather than a true leisure battery. The advantage is that if your normal battery goes flat, you can use it to jump start your van

Brilliant idea - just conect them both with jump leads, easy as that? That is a fantastic idea! Until you told me that I was really beginning to think that the second battery was just a waste of time! The fridge works on gas, the petrol heater I don't like... what would I have used the battery for anyway eh?

I'm just amazed that the built in mains charger doesn't charge the leisure battery - it SEEMS really stupid?