Battery Advice Hymer Nova

RHambo
RHambo Forum Participant Posts: 9
edited April 2022 in Caravans #1

Just after some advice on a Battery for my Hymer Nova S 545, it’s under the u shape front seat’s, I have a motor mover, so what is the best leisure battery for a motor mover? The last battery we had was acid type we were very lucky the co2 alarm went off at night terrible gassing smell like rotten eggs 

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  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited April 2022 #2
    The user and all related content has been Deleted User
  • SeasideBill
    SeasideBill Forum Participant Posts: 2,112
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    edited April 2022 #3

    The problem with your lead acid battery was the charging system not the battery type per se. Hydrogen Sulphide smell (rotten eggs) is a dead giveaway that it’s being overcharged. The hydrogen being produced can trigger the carbon monoxide alarm. Both types can be overcharged and sealed/gel battery types are more susceptible to damage from overcharging. You can use easier type. I don’t know about caravans but you’ll find lead acid batteries in some german motorhomes. However, make sure the charging system is working properly and the battery is adequately ventilated. 

  • RHambo
    RHambo Forum Participant Posts: 9
    edited April 2022 #4

    Thanks Seaside Bill was it my fault I connected my electric hook up to my 240V in garage as caravan is on drive thinking I could charge battery up now & then over the winter instead of taking battery out & trickle charge it in garage being lazy & naive basically  

  • SeasideBill
    SeasideBill Forum Participant Posts: 2,112
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    edited April 2022 #5

    I think not, you’re doing nothing other than you’d be doing on site with EHU. A good battery charger won’t overcharge a battery, it’ll just reach a point where it settles into a ‘float’ mode maintaining the battery with a tiny constant voltage, just enough to compensate for any self discharge. If your charger is suspect, it’s worth investing in a good quality replacement.

  • RHambo
    RHambo Forum Participant Posts: 9
    edited April 2022 #6

    That was my train of thought to be honest when I get it serviced later this month I will get them to take a look 

  • Boff
    Boff Forum Participant Posts: 1,742
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    edited April 2022 #7

    Because of the position of the battery.   You should really buy a Gel, AGM or possibly a enhanced flood battery EFB.   Not a bog standard  flooded battery.  The charger unit on these have a reputation for failing.   But it sounds like yours is over charging rather than not charging.  

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited April 2022 #8

    While on the subject of batteries I am wondering if we have a problem on our PVC  the battery is under the driver seat so cannot get to it without removing the seat it was charging at 13 plus volts on the display now at 12.8 when no 12v in use and drops as each 12v is used to 10v at one point any ideas

  • RHambo
    RHambo Forum Participant Posts: 9
    edited April 2022 #9

    Thanks for your reply's looks like it will have to be a gel,agm or efb which I have never heard of . Boff on the subject charger unit I wonder if the switch is in the right position acid or gel ? 

  • SeasideBill
    SeasideBill Forum Participant Posts: 2,112
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    edited April 2022 #10

    JV, not sure I fully understand your last point, do the volts dwindle to 10v when disconnected from the charger and under load? Are you using solar?

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited April 2022 #11

    We are on EHUon Seacroft club site And the volts on the battery readout shows 12.8 volts with no 12v in use when we put any lights on or even flush the toilet the volts drop more as each is in use 

    The light's have two fluorescent tubes in each (there are five lights) plus an inboard water pump+toilet flush the volts were showing about 13.6 when no 12v in use but now are at as above

    Ps it's a 15year old Auto sleeper symbol an experiment to see if OH (and me)can cope 🤔

     

  • Boff
    Boff Forum Participant Posts: 1,742
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    edited April 2022 #12

    Make sure you are sitting down when you get a price for a Gel battery.   I think you van would have been fitted with one from new.    Our 2015 nova came with a AGM battery.  I later fitted a Varta Lfd90?   Which is an EFB apparently Bosch do the identical battery rebranded and they claim it safe for habitation areas.   The GEL switch is for gel batteries it would seem AGM are best on the normal setting.  

  • SeasideBill
    SeasideBill Forum Participant Posts: 2,112
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    edited April 2022 #13

    JV, 12.8v sounds ok (assuming that’s not the charging voltage), but should sustain. Volts dropping away to 10v under load isn’t right - suspect a cell is failing or battery is on last legs. An automotive battery place will be able to check it easily enough. I hope the experiment works out ok.

  • JVB66
    JVB66 Forum Participant Posts: 22,892
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    edited April 2022 #14

     Thanks for your reply    12.8v is with charger onsurprised

    The WiFi here is terrible never had it this badyell