Flat engine battery on 240v
Hi all, new here so apologies if I've missed this problem.in a previous discussion. We have just bought a 2004 MB 316cdi 2.7 diesel Pilote campervan. Before our 1st trip, thought I would familiarise myself with everything so plugged it into 230v, turned on 12v supply board just above door, but no switches such as waterpump etc..and put fridge on 230v. Left it for a day, came back. Tried to start it up and engine battery was dead.. handbook says batteries are separated by electronic circuit breaker, But I'm.no electrician, so don't know what I'm looking for problemwise..
Any tips or info on what I've got wrong would be much appreciated, or where to start fault finding..
I have taken pics of what I believe are solar charger and the electrical charger.. a scheiber 30.65150.47 12v charger but can't see how to add images...any help much appreciated. Thanks in advance, Nick
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Use the button indicated to insert photos @itsNick. Then adjust as required using the new buttons when they appear.
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@itsNick The trouble is there are a multitude of different set-ups for motorhome 12v electrics. If the battery went flat whilst on 230v mains does that suggest its not charging the cab battery whilst on mains? Some motorhomes you can run the internal 12v from the cab battery but would suggest this should only be used in an emergency. Does the control panel allow you to scroll through options? If you have a solar controller how many wires exiting are there. If its six this suggests it is set to charge both leisure and cab batteries. However the controller is usually set to only push a small percentage of the total charge to the cab battery but this can usually be adjusted. Just one final thought. How old is the cab battery, if it is of an unknown age it could need replacing.
Good luck with your investigation.
David
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Nick, it’s a 21 year old vehicle. None of know who has done what to the electrical wiring in all that time - you might have to live and learn as you go along to find what modifications have been installed. But go to Argos in the morning and buy a battery charger for the engine battery, connect it up and see if you can revive things.
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We had a Hymer motorhome just a bit older than yours. The only connection between the engine start battery and the domestic area was the circuit allowing the fridge to run on 12v with the igntion on. The engine battery was not chargeable via the 240v supply input. The charging of the leisure battery and 12v circuit supplies were managed by an 'Electroblok' unit under the driver's seat. The unit also had a master switch to switch of all the 12v domestic circuits. As your mhome is French, you may have a similar system.
As Eurotraveller suggests, charge up your engine battery via an external charger. If you are leaving your mhome dormant for an extended period, disconnect the battery.
Your leisure battery may be a gel battery which requires controlled charging best done in situ using the built in charger and your 240v hook up.
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