Battery problems

[Jnet]

I am travelling in Spain and Portugsal in an Auto sleeper Symbol 2006 and have had no problems until now. I have stayed without hook up for 3_4 days beforehand.
When I am running the van the reading is 14 but whenever I stop it drops to 8.
Therefore the diesel heating doesn't come on and I can't get hot water either.
I have driven over 200 km over the last 2 days and the van is never a problem starting, it'd just that the charge isn't holding for any time at all.
Had a look under bonnet and battery but nothing seems to be slack it amiss but I'm a complete novice so that means nothing. battery only 2 years old 80 power.
Is my only option to go on electric hook up but the blooming thing does charge but doesn't hold.
Any help appreciated.

 

[gus-lopez]

You appear to be looking at the engine battery when infact you need to find the leisure battery & ascertain whether that has died. The engine battery doesn't supply the power for the diesl heating/water

 

[funflair]

Hi Jnet

The battery that isn't holding charge is your habitation battery not the one that starts the engine, so it will be some place other than under the bonnet, When you find it you might find that it needs water and will come back to life otherwise it is dead and you need a new on, it would appear that the charging system is OK if it shows 14v on your habitation battery when the engine is running.

Martin

EDIT or what he said before I finished typing

 

[Freespirit1]

I am travelling in Spain and Portugsal in an Auto sleeper Symbol 2006 and have had no problems until now. I have stayed without hook up for 3_4 days beforehand.
When I am running the van the reading is 14 but whenever I stop it drops to 8.
Therefore the diesel heating doesn't come on and I can't get hot water either.
I have driven over 200 km over the last 2 days and the van is never a problem starting, it'd just that the charge isn't holding for any time at all.
Had a look under bonnet and battery but nothing seems to be slack it amiss but I'm a complete novice so that means nothing. battery only 2 years old 80 power.
Is my only option to go on electric hook up but the blooming thing does charge but doesn't hold.
Any help appreciated.

Hi Janet - I think you ought to go to the nearest Battery supplier to where you are and get them to test your battery - they may even be able to check that your engine is charging it up? You haven’t said that the battery in question is your leisure battery but I take it that is what you are referring to as you are able to start ok on your vehicle battery

 

[two]

Sounds like it's time to change the domestic/habitation battery, which may be under the driver or passenger seat.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[suavecarve]

As per the others, habitation battery problem is likely to be under the front seats.
If you pop into the spanish equivelent of Halfords or Naurato (in France) they ll probably be able to check for you.
The decision then comes with do you replace your battery/batteries with one or 2 batteries.
Leisure batteries can be quite cheap on ebay (i think about £100) but are a couple of hundred (if i remember rightly from Naurato) but you are a bit stuffed.
How are you recharging your batteries ? via your motor and hook up or do you have solar ? and how much battery do you actually require will determine how many batteries you need/want

 

[DavidG58]

you might even find that you have 2 habitation batteries fitted and that only one has failed, which will make them both look duff, if you are so lucky getting the faulty one disconnected will give you a much better situation, although ideally both will need to be changed at some point

 

[Jnet]

Thanks for all your quick responses. Yes it is my leisure battery, I only have 1 under drivers seat. I do not have any solar as no roomon roof.
I do not know what is meant by battery needs water? Is this something I can do myself?
I would

Would I damage anything g further if I left things as they are til I get home in around d 3 weeks time. Many thanks.

 

[pappajohn]

At just 8 volts the battery is well and truly dead.
No matter what you do, if the reading is correct, you will NOT revive a battery with that low a reading.
It could have developed an internal short at any time so just because it's been ok doesn't mean it can't happen.

 

[funflair]

Thanks for all your quick responses. Yes it is my leisure battery, I only have 1 under drivers seat. I do not have any solar as no roomon roof.
I do not know what is meant by battery needs water? Is this something I can do myself?
I would

Would I damage anything g further if I left things as they are til I get home in around d 3 weeks time. Many thanks.

Floded lead acid batteries that are not sealed loose water from the electrolyte and need topping up, if yours is hidden under a seat it should be sealed.

Martin

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Jnet]

Ok thanks. I think it is knackered, will try to manage til I get home as don't have s Scooby what to buy and may get ripped off due to language problems.etc.
Thanks all for your helpful comments.

 

[Bobby22]

Ok thanks. I think it is knackered, will try to manage til I get home as don't have s Scooby what to buy and may get ripped off due to language problems.etc.
Thanks all for your helpful comments.

Call out for a Funster near you and they will come to your aid. Many Funsters are in Spain and Portugal in the winter. It looks like you hab battery has failed but it could be something simple.

If you tell funsters where you are you might be lucky and get free assistance.

 

[Jnet]

Thank you Bobby I'm very near Villarreal between Valencia and Barcelona.
If anyone near. Thing is leisure battery can't be completey dead as the toilet is still flushing, lights coming on although very dim and water pump still working. You'll find Me at confused.com.