EHU without battery fitted

briantimber
briantimber Forum Participant Posts: 1,653
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edited May 2018 in Caravans #1

Being a Motorhomer, I'm not sure of the answer to this question asked by my "in laws"

Can I use my 2012 Sprite Major TD2 on EHU without a battery fitted?

All answers gratefully received....cool

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  • JayEss
    JayEss Forum Participant Posts: 1,663
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    edited May 2018 #2

    I used to be able to use my old Bailey without a battery fitted but there has to be a battery in place for my current van to work. 

    So my considered answer is perhaps laughing

  • briantimber
    briantimber Forum Participant Posts: 1,653
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    edited May 2018 #3

    Thanks Jay...smile

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited May 2018 #4
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,149 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2018 #5

    Probably not, Brian, but maybe.smile

    The handbook should give the answer.

  • briantimber
    briantimber Forum Participant Posts: 1,653
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    edited May 2018 #6

    Thanks all, the question was posed after my BiLaw, who isn't very tech savvy at all, rang me saying he smelt rotten eggs. I pointed him in the direction of the battery and he said it was smelly and hot, told him to remove it carefully, which he managed, and place it out of harms way so no gasses could cause an explosion, they are coming home today, so told him to use just gas for rest of his stay.

     

    Edit, he doesn't have a hand book, bought the van four years ago and can't find itsurprised

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,149 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2018 #7

    The handbook might be downloadable from Swift's website if your bil wants to search, Brian. 

    At least the panic's over for now.

  • briantimber
    briantimber Forum Participant Posts: 1,653
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    edited May 2018 #8

    Yes, thanks TW, looks like another job for me as he can't even turn a computer on...surprised

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,149 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2018 #9

    Hard luck, Brian. smile

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,431 ✭✭✭
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    edited May 2018 #10

    Haven't got it with me and can't remember but our Sprite handbook (2013 model) said it is not recommended or not to do it.

  • briantimber
    briantimber Forum Participant Posts: 1,653
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    edited May 2018 #11

    Thanks TW....tongue-out

  • briantimber
    briantimber Forum Participant Posts: 1,653
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    edited May 2018 #12

    Many thanks  Corners....smile

  • EasyT
    EasyT Forum Participant Posts: 16,194
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    edited May 2018 #13

    The handbook for my 2012 Lunar saidbattery must be in circuit. The general 2012 Swift Tourer hand book states: 'This battery should always be connected when the system is in use.'

     

    Link here: https://orbit.brightbox.com/v1/acc-jqzwj/Swift-Group/handbooks/pdfs/000/000/026/original/2012_Tourer_Owners_Handbook.pdf?1472743474

     

  • briantimber
    briantimber Forum Participant Posts: 1,653
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    edited May 2018 #14

    Thank you Alan, that confirms my suspicions...smile

  • briantimber
    briantimber Forum Participant Posts: 1,653
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    edited May 2018 #15

    Thanks again for all your help.

    To put you in the picture, it turns out that my bil (who is on a seasonal pitch) has never charged the leisure battery during the winter period when his van is laid up. I suspect that this action, or lack of, has caused his battery to sulphate and he has experienced the consequences of this. He has the van taken to site, (90mls),in April and returned to his yard in October. I suspect that the battery was probably part charged by the towing vehicle each time it was moved, thus not showing a discharged state when pitched. I think he was lucky that the battery survived as long as it did given the lack of maintenance it received. 

    They were also lucky, in my opinion, that an explosion didn't happen, due to the gasses entering the living area. Thankfully, this trip, they didn't use the gas hob or oven.

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
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    edited May 2018 #16

    Most Caravan manufacturers say that the battery should be in circuit as it provides smoothing to the 12volt supply but it depends what electronics are fitted. The Sprite is quite a basic van.

    You need to charge the battery periodically during the winter - once a month is the recommendation that the manufacturers state. With a Sprite which doesn’t have a smart charger this needs to be done with a decent charger off of the van, if not the battery will suffer from shortened life. This makes it difficult if the van is in storage unless you can actually take the battery out and keep it at home. I used to have a spare and swap them every month or two. Now have a solar panel so no need.

  • briantimber
    briantimber Forum Participant Posts: 1,653
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    edited May 2018 #17

    Thanks hitchglitch, precisely my thoughts....

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