Flat leisure batter
New to caravanning so learning by trial and error.
We have a very sloping drive that also leads out onto a very narrow road so the only way we can get the caravan off is via a motor mover.
Yesterday, about to head off and it was flat 
We didn't even consider that it would need to be kpet charged.
Just because of the logistics of cars on my drive, I can't really use the ehu lead to charge so what is the best thing to do moving forwards?
Buy a portable charger and keep the battery charging whilst not using the van?
Comments
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It will really depend on why your battery is going flat, as this is unusual unless there is a drain on it. Or it is ready for replacement. Make sure your master switch is off, although things like a radio and an alarm / tracker will draw a small amount of power even with this off. If you are not powering a tracker and do not need the alarm for insurance purposes, you could disconnect the battery, as we used to do in our old van. Now we have a tracker and as our van is in storage, I have two batteries and keep one at home on a smart charger, swapping them every few months and before going on a trip. Others I know favour a solar panel to keep them charged in the winter. Although we never go off grid, so a second battery worked out better for me. As your van is at home, if you have a tracker, this will run for several days on its own battery. So you could get away with one battery, removing it to recharge on a smart charger.
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As SteveL said 'is the battery ready for replacement'. And it also depends on how long it has stood eithout being charging! Batteries do need to be kept fully charged and as your caravan is at home, it shouldn't be too much bother to take it off and keep
it fully charged. If it is a leisure battery they have to kept charged up, if not they deteriorate very quickly.0 -
As SteveL said 'is the battery ready for replacement'. And it also depends on how long it has stood eithout being charging! Batteries do need to be kept fully charged and as your caravan is at home, it shouldn't be too much bother to take it off and keep
it fully charged. If it is a leisure battery they have to kept charged up, if not they deteriorate very quickly.We had been away in it 3 weeks before and interestingly, the battery in about 9 months old. I DO think though that Mr kdee left the fridge on by accident and it's drained the battery.
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I don't think the fridge should drain your 12 volt leisure battery. It should only power from the cars alternator when the engine is running. The fridge light will of course be a drain, if the door is left open, as is usual. How much depends on if it is
an LED or not.0 -
The fridge should only cool from the car battery however it the interior light has been left on that will flatten the battery. As well the oven light it you have one. I speak from experience
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The way to keep the battery charged is to get a solar panel fitted.0 -
If you don't use your caravan during the winter months take the battery into your garage / shed and use a smart charger once a month to keep it in tip top condition. Don't forget the battery needs ventilation during charging as it may give off gas.
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My caravan is connected to the mains constantly at very little cost to my electricity useage. My battery is always showing 100% of charge. Before I negotiated a storage pitch with constant electricity I used to take the battery home & keep it on charge in my garage. Once again the cost of a trickle charge amounts to pennies!
TF
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If the fridge light was left on (ie door open) for 3 weeks that could flatten battery! However, take battery out and fully charge it for 24 hours. Leave for another 24 hours and then check voltage using a multmeter. If not 12.6v+ it is faulty and as it is only 9 months old you should get it replaced under guarantee. I take mine out each winter and, as suggested above, give it a top up every month it never slips below 12.7v (ie remains fully charged). Good luck.
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Batteries can self discharge over time, so it’s good practice to top them up regularly. Taking it indoors will be even better as they deteriorate more in the cold. If you have a motor mover, it will always be good practice to recharge immediately after using
it, rather than leaving it in a partially charged state.Letting a battery discharge to the point of being flat will reduce its capacity and shorten its life considerably, especially if left in a discharged state for any time. In my early years, I managed to destroy a battery most winters, so you are not alone.
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