Battery charging when MH in storage
We have an Auto-Trail Mohawk (2012) with an EC-700 power unit.
As we don't have room on the drive then unfortunately we have to keep it in storage. The manual states....
"The leisure battery is charged by either the vehicle alternator when the engine is running or by the on-board charger when the vehicle is plugged into a suitable mains supply. If your vehicle is fitted with a solar panel this will also charge the leisure battery when conditions allow. The EC 700 has a shutdown feature that can be used when the vehicle is in storage. This allows the leisure electronics to be turned off when not required to save battery power"
Questions:
Will the solar panel still charge the leisure battery when in storage even though the "leisure electronics" are turned off? (may be a dumb question though)
How often would you suggest we take it out of storage to recharge the batteries (especially in the winter)
Just a little concerned about the batteries slowly discharging too much as i read in another thread that this can damage the batteries and hence their lifespan :-(
Thanks in advance
Pete.
Comments
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The best thing to do is to measure the voltages of both batteries with the electronics turned off and no EHU. Do it on a sunny day to guarantee an output from your solar panel. You should see in excess of 12.8 volts across the leisure battery if the solar panel is doing its job. Auto trail never used to make any provision to charge the vehicle battery, just leaving it to the alternator to do the job. Bad news unless you are using the motorhome regularly. If you are confident the leisure battery is fully charged have a look at the voltage across the vehicle battery. If it is not in excess of 12.8 volts it is unlikely it is charging from the solar panel. You can buy a relatively cheap device to ensure the solar panel charges both batteries. Check out >Battery Master<
peedee
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Peedee and DD are both spot on.
The extent to which your Leisure Battery and Vehicle battery will be adequately maintained by your solar panel will depend on a number of factors such as :-
a) Size of solar panel(s)
b) Location and of year (essentially how much sun)
c) The setup of the solar charge controller and its relationship with the "main" electric panel.
d) The size of the Leisure battery
e) The ambient (background) draw from the batteries e.g. from an alarm system.
Some systems will feed or can be set to feed part of the output from the solar to the vehicle battery and/or can be adapted to do so by devices such as the Batterymaster which allow the Leisure battery to pass charging current to the Vehicle battery.
With two panels and a sophisticated charge controller both batteries in my van survived a long period of inattention (due to Covid lockdown access restrictions) but a smaller solar and/or different setup may not be enough so there is an element of trial and error (see Peedee above). A multi-meter can be purchased for around £10 (probably £20 now !!) .
If you are finding that you can't maintain your batteries with your present setup there are some very good specialists around. A general or even franchised dealer probably won't have the necessary expertise. I am probably not allowed to make recommendations here but a company in Taunton and another near Telford are both very good in my direct experience. The former company actually designed the Batterymaster around 20 years ago.
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OK if names are OK
I haven't used Roadpro but I have used Dave Newell VS since 2006.
Van Bitz didn't fit a Batterymaster to my 2012 Fifer because when asked to do so they worked out that it was unnecessary due to other existing arrangements in the setup. They did fit an alarm though and also to my current van and they were superb and yes I did get a Fun discount.
in 2018 Dave Newell (Telford) fitted a substitute Votronic MPPT Dual Solar Charge controller and the vehicle builder later added a Votronic a power monitor to display the solar output etc. It was that setup which "saved" us during the Covid lockdown.
I haven't dealt with Roadpro or its ebullient boss but I think they did supply the Charge Controller to Dave.
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RoadPro is another excellent company, they are based in Daventry. It isn't that difficult to fit a Battery Master yourself. All that is required is a very elementary knowledge of electricity wiring. I fitted one in my first motorhome, an AutoTrail, but left it to Van Bitz to do when I had one of their alarm systems fitted in my current motorhome. I agree with DD about Cornish Farm, many have availed themselves of the facility including me.
peedee
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Sorry DD I don't understand your reference to BVM. Also not sure if I can PM on on CT.
Thats enough acronyms for one day I think
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Really appreciate the knowledge here but have to ask another dumb question, how would i know if the previous owner fitted a 'Battery Master'?
Is it something easy to spot or is it a case of monitoring the engine battery volts are 12.8 or above when not plugged to EHU?
Thanks again.
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Unless you know what your looking for, the electronics are all sealed in block of "plastic" with wires protruding, it could be difficult because it may well be tucked well away. There is a picture of it on the link I gave and it may well be installed close to either battery if that is any help.
If you cannot find it then the voltage check is to the thing to do.
peedee
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Really appreciate the knowledge here but have to ask another dumb question, how would i know if the previous owner fitted a 'Battery Master'?
I suspect that if you had a battery master fitted you wouldn't have a problem? I have had them fitted to both my Bailey motorhomes by Vanbitz at the same time as they fitted my alarms. It is a tiny device and it depends where it is fitted whether you can find it. Its about two inches square and has a little light on it. On the first motorhome it was fitted near the leisure battery but on my current motorhome it seems to be tucked around the back of the consumer unit.
Cornish Farm is handy for a visit to VanBitz to have work done. On our last visit (2019) the campsite now charge for the stay which is then refunded by VanBitz. As far as the site itself is concerned I am not sure I would stay there if I wasn't having work done although it would be a handy overnight from the M5, wouldn't see it as a holiday destination?
David
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I had one fitted to my 2006 Hymer way back. If I remember rightly the "block" which is about the size of a cigarette packet has two ? small LEDs possibly red and green both lit if it is passing current between the batteries.
I think it It would always be an aftermarket item so if your van is new to you probably don't have oine
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Just taken the MH out of 2 week storage. Had switched the electrics off at the main consumer unit. when put in storage. Started the engine, switched on the electrics, checked the console display for battery consumption and everything seemed hunky dory (see pics).
Blurb from the manual says the solar panel will decide which battery it will add charge to and looking at the pic it seems to be charging the vehicle battery (v) at the moment?
Was talking to someone who used to have the same MH and they said the solar panel will always charge the vehicle battery first (but can't find anything to back that up).
Anyway, i feel a bit more confident that the batteries aren't going to die when in storage for 2 or 3 weeks.
Appreciate everyone's help so far, thanks guys.
Moderator Comment - Changed instructions photo to landscape to make it easier to read.
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Seems like you have an older van but with the latest Sargent control unit. The EC700 will control both vehicle and leisure battery in balanced fashion. If you wish, you can switch the priority between the two. No need for a battery master or any other additional electronics.
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The EC700 is the latest Sargent unit so I am assuming that the previous owner upgraded the system. Not sure when it was introduced but probably about 3 years ago.
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