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motorhome leisure battery discharge problem

  • 16-03-2011 11:22am
    #1
    adrianbennet
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3 ✭


    Not connected to mains and with everything else turned off, I was using 12v lights to unpack after weekend trip. All worked fine to start with [control panel showing 12.7 volts], then sudden reduction to 5.3 after five mins or so. Turn off at control panel. Turn on again a few mins later and watch voltage climb back to 9.7 [but no further], which is mystery to me [unless solar panel is really clever and works in the pitch dark]. Suspect battery may be dead [although it was accepting charge from solar panel during the day and from charger on site], but need to remove cab seats to access, so would like to feel fairly confident there's nothing else worth checking first. Any thoughts, please, anyone?


Comments

  • #2
    spaceHopper
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,027 ✭✭✭spaceHopper


    If it's constantly being charges by solar, do you have a regulator and anychance the water has been boiled off the battery. Check it, Tesco sell de-ionised water for batteries so would any good motor factors but I suspect that the battery is dead.


  • #3
    Aidan_M_M
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,213 ✭✭✭Aidan_M_M


    agree 100% with SpaceHopper.


  • #4
    adrianbennet
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3 ✭adrianbennet


    Many thanks for the prompt responses guys. Feeling a bit under the weather today [prospect of two new batteries doesn't help:)] but will get at those cab seat bolts asap.


  • #5
    spaceHopper
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,027 ✭✭✭spaceHopper


    adrianbennet wrote: »
    Many thanks for the prompt responses guys. Feeling a bit under the weather today [prospect of two new batteries doesn't help:)] but will get at those cab seat bolts asap.

    Check the liquid levels and see, maybe go to a motor factors, they should be able to help.

    If you have solar then I think you need a regulator to stop over charging.

    Keep an eye on doe deal and gumtree for new batteries they come up from time to time. A short term fix would be to see if you can get van/car batteries from a breakes for a few quid and use them till they die from being discharged to much.


  • #6
    sunchaser
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 167 ✭✭sunchaser


    spaceHopper wrote: »
    Check the liquid levels and see, maybe go to a motor factors, they should be able to help.

    Keep an eye on doe deal and gumtree for new batteries they come up from time to time. A short term fix would be to see if you can get van/car batteries from a breakes for a few quid and use them till they die from being discharged to much.

    You should price tractor batteries at your local motor factors they are not that expensive and will see you through 3 years if you look after them during the winter months.


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  • #7
    paddyp
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,927 ✭✭✭paddyp


    The solar panel probably never got to a sufficient voltage to charge the battery properly. 12.7v was probably just a surface charge, take it out check electrolyte levels and maybe spend €4 on a hydrometer. If hydrometer readings are ok and its topped up ok give it a proper charge on a mains charger.


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