Club 80-90 Forums

Hi Guys
I need a little advice re: Leisure Batteries

I have a zig unit and I am not sure if it is working or the leisure battery is dead. When driving I turn the orange MAINS button off and turn black button to TOURING, yet when i am stationary and turn 12v button to the ON position the leisure battery RED LIGHT flickers but then instantly go off. I imagined that the green button should comre on, but doesn't.
So
1) Can a leisure battery go flat beyond the point of charging? (van has hardly been used in last two years by previous owners)
2) How do I test the leisure battery? or Test zig unit is charging?
3) Can a leisure battery be re-charged from flat to a position where it will receive a charge?
4) Can I charge a leisure battery from an electric hook up?

I am not technical on voltage or amps.

Northantsandy

Thank you

Me not technical neither but I know a leisure battery can die to the point where it won't take a charge, same as your starter battery. As for testing, a simple voltmeter should tell you something.

Cheers Rainman

There's a difference between deep cycle leisure batteries and starter batteries, but having said that most folks that I know (me included) use a standard battery for the leisure circuitry.

An elderly battery can indeed get to the point where it won't take a charge, but try giving it a long trickle charge and see how it goes. Some chargers do claim to be able to revive batteries, have a search for threads on the Aldi charger from a couple of weeks back.

As for charging on hook up, it depends, most, but not all, installations are wired this way, there are different models of Zig unit too, so I can't comment on yours specifically I'm afraid.

Have you got another vehicle you could "borrow" the battery from to test the circuitry ? That way you would at least rule out faults of that nature.

Good luck with it, I'm sure someone will be along with some more helpful advice shortly

Cheers Andi

1) Can a leisure battery go flat beyond the point of charging? (van has hardly been used in last two years by previous owners)

Yes

2) How do I test the leisure battery? or Test zig unit is charging?

Need a good tester multimeter is no good, most places test for free.
If its a ZIG CF 6 or 8 you can put a car bulb between terminal 3 & 4 on the back ot the unit. if it lights then the charger is fine.

3) Can a leisure battery be re-charged from flat to a position where it will receive a charge?

Worth a try, best bet is to use a proper 3 phase battery carger.

4) Can I charge a leisure battery from an electric hook up?

Yes you can, again best bet is get a decent charger.


I have a Zig CF6 and its not up to the job of charging my leisure battery 110A.
I fitted a good split charging diode and a proper charger for when on hook up.

IMHO If you are going to use the battery a lot you will need to sort something other than the zig.
If it's just for LED or Fu lights and water pump you will be fine with a zig.

Kev