battery charging

weedkiller

Bailley say dont leave battery on continuous charge but I cannot switch off charger without shutting off the water heater as well ( Isolator switches are joined together.)

How long can a battery be left on charge ? How can I tell when the battery is charged ?

Any info please 

allanandjean

Hi, You may need to be a little more detailed for folk to assist you.

Who says, where etc as in all my vans the water heating is not linked to the battery charging.

If on EHU the battery gets charge if it needs it, if not it doesn’t.

JVB66

Where did you get the "information" about your battery? I have searched my handbook(bailey)without finding any ref to not having batt on charge all the time and this caravan is the second Bailey with the same batt ,

commeyras

I too have a Bailey and cannot find any source for the OP's concern.  My battery is 5 yrs old and in excellent condition still (just checked it and it is 13.5v after being off charge in my garage for weeks since I last charged it).  I mainly use EHU sites and just leave it connected all the time letting the charger do it's business.  When on the charger in my garage the charger slips into 'maintenance mode' when the battery is fully charged. 

commeyras

Subsequent to my post above. I have done a little searching and the only reference I can find is a recommendation in a discussion forum - not a manufacturers one - not to leave the battery on charge when in storage.  I bring my battery home and keep it in the garage during long periods of storage and charge it every few weeks.

Weedkiller, just leave it connected up when on your trips and let the caravan charger do it's stuff.  Don't worry.

AlanPort

I have a CTECK smart charger which as well as normal charging can also be used in a ‘re-conditioning’ and supply mode.  I use the re-conditioning mode a couple of times a year when the van is not in use and it has kept all of my batteries in good condition.  Once optimum charge is reached, the charger automatically switches to a maintenance mode using only the current it needs to keep the battery fully charged.  A good investment IMHO.

 

EmilysDad

and I believe some of the later caravans' chargers are smarter than they used to be. Up to weedkiller to determine what's fitted to his/her Bailey

weedkiller

Thank you all for your replies

In the hand book baily say

"Do not continuously charge the battery when caravan is not in use"

The isolator switches  / Circuit Breakers I referred to are 240v  of which their are 4 but in two banks i.e the operating bar links two of the switches  so that switching off the charger also switches off the  water heater the other bank of 2 controls fridge and sockets.

It would seem I need another charger ? to charge the battery when the van is not in use I can easily connect power to the van but not so easy to take out the battery for charging.

LLM

Only if you have a smart charger.

LLM

Why not post some more information and photos of the distribution panel and charger.  If folk know which models you have the advice would be more accurate.  

commeyras

But surely you do not leave the fridge, water heater on when not using the caravan!  Going out for the day and leaving fridge on is not 'when caravan is not in use'. I really do not think you have a problem.  I am sure the handbook is talking about when in storage or when not using the caravan.  Is it that difficult to take out the battery in your Bailey for the winter?  If it is too difficult, just disconnect the leads from the battery and connect to a remote charger and charge this way. You can easily check if the caravan charger is working by checking the current at the battery terminals with a meter, this is done at the service anyway.