Battery Power
We have recently returned to caravanning after a 5 year break, we missed it very much indeed. Our previous caravanning was made up of 95% rallying with the Midland Centre and out every weekend. Committed during the time on committee serving has Social Sec for 2 years followed by 3 year term of office in the Chair. Great times loved rallying, still do but our return to our hobby is mainly taking advantage of the CL network & occasional Club sites all of which we take advantage of EHU.
Previously when rallying we relied on two good leisure batteries so one always fully charged in reserve if required, maybe a longer weekend we would need to make the swap.. Of course now our habits have changed a little maybe only 5% rallying we didn't really see the point in buying a spare battery so we took to the internet to see if we can find alternative solution to extend the battery life over the weekend when rallying! we didn't want the expense of solar or the bother of a portable device such as a generator "hate them" my train of thought reminded me of the extension cables we used to be able to buy off the shelf to plug the car into the van using the old 7pin set up, of course new van comes with the 13 pin. I struggled to find such a thing locally so I considered making one up but first I took advice from the tow bar fitters "Towcraft" who agreed it would firstly be possible and secondly it would have the desired effect. I gave them the order for a 4mt extension.
That week end we attended a bank holiday weekend on a rally, we used everything as normal in the van as if hooked up to mains, we wanted to see how far we could push the battery. So we used the lighting, water-pump, awning light table lamp even Friday and Saturday night TV. It wasn't until the Sunday evening when we settled down that the caravan control system bleeped at us informing us that the Battery had had enough and eventually it retired.
Out came my new lead, into the back of the car it went hey presto success.. We went through the rest of the evening and through to our departure from site with our facilities unaffected.. £40 well spent.
We are lucky to have a good well maintained car with a decent Battery in its self, I certainly wouldn't tempt fate knowing that the car was at risk of a non start the next day, I turned the key and off it went, I wouldn't use this method as a long term fix but on the occasions that we might need to fall back onto it, it suits our needs with ease.
Thanks go out to Towcraft for the speed that they sorted me out.