Opinion on my Battery please?

artyboo
artyboo Forum Participant Posts: 457
edited September 2017 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

Hello Guys, me again.

I am currently in France with a few days to go.

I am having a lovely time, boy is getting some decent stimulation.

Usually, boy would know this problem immediately but alas, he can't tell me.

The other day, whilst driving to Sarlat, the battery warning light came on on the dash (red). I panicked but carried on, needing to get to a site should there be a real problem. Previously I had noticed no 12 V Fridge light but put it down to a bulb blown. Anyway. The light blinked a bit then stayed on. We arrived on site, pitched and left it until the next morning when I started the engine (no problem). The Battery light stayed on. 

What I will say, is the 12v fridge light isn't coming on BUT, the gas will ignite. I have checked all fuses (habitation and dash) bit cannot find what might be the fault. 

I have since travelled quite some way (that might be a bit stupid, I don't know) but everything's working fine apart from possibly 12v on the fridge when travelling.

Anyone got any thoughts please? Thanks in anticipation for any advice. Xxxxx

Comments

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,196 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #2

    Sorry can't help, but I expect someone will be able to very soon.

    This is a double post. I'm putting this on both. Just alerting you to the problem. Replies maybe hard to track down 😉😉

  • Bakers2
    Bakers2 Forum Participant Posts: 8,196 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #3

    Seems it's down to one now in the latest discussions on the club together page. Who knows what's happening???

    I do hope you can find any proper replies it's getting beyond a joke now 😤😭

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited September 2017 #4

    my first thought would have been your engine's 'fan belt' Haven't you noticed anything amiss? eg heavier steering. 

    RED warning lights are there for a reason ..... not really to be ignored unless you're fully aware of why they're on 

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,387 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #5

    My interpretation is the alternator is not charging either it has packed up or the fanbelt is as MM says slipping or has failed completely. The 12volt ignition for the fridge would come form your leisure battery not the engine battery.

    peedee

  • Randomcamper
    Randomcamper Club Member Posts: 1,062 ✭✭
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    edited September 2017 #6

    On my last two motorhomes the fridge will only work on 12V when it is being supplied from the engine running. It does not work off the leisure battery, although as PD says the hab battery may well power the gas igniter.

    The fact that you have a red battery light on the dash usually means, as said above, that you have no output from the alternator, either because the fanbelt has snapped or another fault. That would also account for why there is no fridge 12v light.

    A vehicle will usually run for a while with no output from the alternator because the vehicles 12v battery (in the case of a M/H the "cab" battery) will supply power to the engine ancilleries and starter motor etc, but without it being recharged from the alternator it will eventually go flat. As an emergency measure can you switch the onboard charger to charge the cab battery rather than the habitation battery....??

    I think you need to inspect the fan belt for starters....

  • young thomas
    young thomas Forum Participant Posts: 11,356
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    edited September 2017 #7

    another vote for alternator problems, o had the very issue on my old A4 after around 120k mls. warning light started coming on, so had it looked at.... 

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited September 2017 #8

    Let's hope Artyboo's motorhome has a cam belt driven water pump rather than  'fan belt' driven, otherwise she'll have a very overheated engine 

  • Merve
    Merve Forum Participant Posts: 2,333
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    edited September 2017 #9

    Yes Arty, I have to concur with the above. The car battery will carry on for a bit without problem but will go flat if there is something wrong with the alternator or the belt. I would get it checked tout suite! You don't want to be running down to a stop on the way home. 

  • Merve
    Merve Forum Participant Posts: 2,333
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    edited September 2017 #10

    I wonder if she knows the stocking trick but then again, it's probably tights these days (more the pity) 😂😂😂😂

  • Boff
    Boff Forum Participant Posts: 1,742
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    edited September 2017 #11

    Are you in Red pennant?

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
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    edited September 2017 #12

    Can you use tights or stockings instead of a poly Vee belt? 😉

  • artyboo
    artyboo Forum Participant Posts: 457
    edited September 2017 #13

    Indeed,

    spent my formative years driving old bangers and using all sorts of stuff to keep them going. Always got a spare something in my 👜 😬

  • artyboo
    artyboo Forum Participant Posts: 457
    edited September 2017 #14

    Yes, have used them once, lets hope never again although they were excellent 

  • PITCHTOCLOSE
    PITCHTOCLOSE Forum Participant Posts: 658
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    edited September 2017 #15

    Just another thought, check the alternator is getting a 12 volt feed, it needs power in to genarate unlike a dynamo which does not.

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