Advice please on a dead Fiat Ducato

[mohawkman]

My ducato would not start turn over at all this morning. clicking noises from under dash region.
Have now got access to vehicle battery and it shows 11.7 volts . Just recently it has had a bit of a struggle to turn over on start and i suspect the battery which is now 6 & half years old could be on its way out or at least suffering from the cold. Van is on mains hook up on drive and could i put a battery charger onto battery but if so should I disconnect the Neutral cable. The last thing i want to do is fry any electronics. I do have a battery condition tester but if i use this should i disconnect anything before using it.
Help would be appreciated.

 

[Landy Andy]

You don’t need to remove to apply the charger. You will be better to fully charge rather than jump start, or keep trying with flat battery

 

[mohawkman]

You don’t need to remove to apply the charger. You will be better to fully charge rather than jump start, or keep trying with flat battery

Oh dear, had removed leisure batteries since they were Kaput and had not left sargent unit charge switch on !!!!!
Went to move van this morning into a better position and it had been standing since last Sunday to refit new batteries.
Now charging like a good un so will leave on charge all night and see what it does in morning. However i still wish to check battery with my battery test meter bought as a result of reading our forum so do i have to remove any terminal off battery or just connect as it is? Many thanks for your prompt reply. Hopefully red faced member in the morning.

 

[Nanniemate]

Oh dear, had removed leisure batteries since they were Kaput and had not left sargent unit charge switch on !!!!!
Went to move van this morning into a better position and it had been standing since last Sunday to refit new batteries.
Now charging like a good un so will leave on charge all night and see what it does in morning. However i still wish to check battery with my battery test meter bought as a result of reading our forum so do i have to remove any terminal off battery or just connect as it is? Many thanks for your prompt reply. Hopefully red faced member in the morning.

Oops . Mine didn't wantbto start in the last cold spell and it had been parked while I was away.
Plugged into ehu she fired up first time the following day
Fingers crossed yours will do the same

 

[rosalan]

In the past I have used a Halfords battery reconditioner to clean off whatever it is batteries do not like. I am sure someone will tell me they are no good but it has seemed to work for me.
I believe that when a wet battery reaches 11v their future is bleak.

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[mohawkman]

Thanks for answers but could members say what they use to clean motorhome roofs. Mine is looking very dirty / gritty.
I would rather not pressure wash it. There seem to be so many cleaners out there. Autotrail van so GRP roof.

 

[FrankNicklin]

As a rule of thumb.

 

[icantremember]

Save the stress and replace the batteries .... you won't regret it.

 

[rosalan]

Thanks for answers but could members say what they use to clean motorhome roofs. Mine is looking very dirty / gritty.
I would rather not pressure wash it. There seem to be so many cleaners out there. Autotrail van so GRP roof.

I have found that drywash seems very good at removing the kind of dirt that leaves black streaks down the sides of the van. Another advantge is the lack of water should you wish to try skating accross your roof that lacks handrails.