Charging batteries
We purchased our first caravan last year and put it into storage last Septembet bringing it out briefly in March to take to the dealer to have some work done, afterwhitch it was returned to storage.
Yesterday I went to take some items to the caravan as we plan to go away in a few days. I noticed that the alarm fob flashed a red light but no bleep sound. I opened the door and the alarm did not go off. I surmised that the battery had no charge left?
As novice caravaners this is all new to us so could someone just give us some advice. It is a Buccaneer and the storage facility has no electricity hook ups nor are we able to bring it to the house as we live in a very small village and could not get the
outfit down the lane to our house.
My husband is away on business so it's all down to myself to fix. If I need therefore to remove the battery, is this a simple procedure? Also what is the best way to charge the battery? Best chargers etc.
We were hoping to leave Sunday and to stay at a CL site that does have electricity hook ups. If we have damaged the battery unintentionally by letting it go flat I need to go and buy another today, so any advice would be gratefully received.
Thanks in advance
Comments
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First I would go to the CL and see whether the battery will re-charge. I think you will find it will. Batteries can be heavy things to have to keep taking out and putting back so in the long term you will be better off fitting a solar panel and regulator to the roof of your van. If you don't feel competent to do it yourself there are plenty of workshops around the country who will offer you advice and do the job for you. A solar panel will also give you the scope to van on low cost sites which do not offere EHUs
I certainly would not go to the expense of buying a new battery without making some provision to keep it charged.
peedee
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Modern vans usually have an isolation button, that switches everything off, except the alarm (and tracker if fitted). Perhaps this was left on after the dealer visit?
Removing the battery is straightfprward, but it is heavy, although it will have a handle, so watch your back!
When you open the battery locker, you may see the battery straight off, or it may be in a battery bag-doesn't matter.
The battery will be clamped in place, probably by a single screw and small plate at the front bottom edge-this will require a medium flat blade screwdriver and shouldn't be
very tight. With the plate removed, the battery (and bag) can be slid out and lowered to the ground - the cables will be long enough. Then lift the blue and red clamps to release the cables from the battery. Note if you have a mover, some batteries
have extra terminals for the mover cables, which require a 10mm spanner to remove (again not very tight).If the battery has been standing a long time in a discharged state, it will probably be dead I'm afraid.
Choosing a battery charger will generate a whole new thread of suggestions! Chargers are not all the same and may have to be chosen to suit the type of battery fitted (yet another subject)
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You can almost certainly find your manual online. In fact I have downloaded every manual and other instructions on to a memory stick that lives in the van, as this saves a surprising amount of weight (I get a bit obsessed with weight saving!)
Does your van have an isolation button? Did you sort the battery issue?
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Does your laptop weigh more than the sum of all the manuals?
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Hi chrisn7 sorry for the delay in responding, i tracked down a Ctek MXS7 charger and managed to remove the battery (you're right its a whopper) and begin charging. Within an hour there was an error message but after starting the cycle over again it then
charged to full capacity by the following morning. Took it back to the caravan and hey presto 12v on control unit. I did locate the isolator switch and it had been switched off. Now we know to remove the battery every couple of months and charge. Lesson learnt.
Thanks for all advice0
