Battery problems

[smiffy64]

As I write this I am 150 miles from home.

My leisure battery has been showing that it is not holding charge for a wee while now. Or at least I thought it was the leisure battery.

We did a short 50 mile trip between last two sites. But the van's battery charge warning light came on with around 30 miles to go.

When we did arrive, the red battery warning light for the van was flashing in the Dethleffs control panel as well.

When plugging into EHU, both batteries then show full charge on the panel. Although the leisure battery indicates three lights draw even with nothing switched on.
As a process of elimination, I want to isolate the leisure battery. There are two large yellow spade type fuses next to it.
Do I remove these to isolate?

It looks like my van battery could be dead, or maybe both, and now it even looks like the alternator is failing. Whatever it is it's serious.
When I look at the live connection to the van battery, it has a flat connection bar/plate with the main thicker cable and three smaller ones.
So will any Fiat Ducato specified battery do, or is there a specific one for motorhomes?

If all I need to do to get me home is to take it to Quick Fit, then that will do for now.

Cheers,
Raymond.

 

[HandyAndy]

Any decent garage, when there is a range of possible parts, will order all of them so as not to be caught out, then send the unused ones back..
I've never been charged extra or re-stocking fee for them and sometimes they OFFER to send all the options to me. Saves me and the customer a BOAT LOAD of time and expense.

 

[smiffy64]

So it turned out to be the worst case...a new alternator....on a 15k miles van. Weirdly, the belt tensioner was also seized. £340 all in. When I mentioned about the alternator failing in such a low mileage motor, he answers by saying 'you wouldn't ' believe how many alternators we have changed recently. Hmmm

 

[TerryL]

Ours had only done about 12k when it failed so although it's a pain you're not on your own. The replacement is going strong 8 years and 90k miles later (that's tempting fate ain't it!)

 

[HandyAndy]

Did you ask for the failed one back...
Quite a good way of spotting whether you are being stitched up or not.
Also could possibly repair it cheaply and sell on the Bay of E

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[PhilandMena]

Jockandneejer has nailed it. It's a classic sign of a failed alternator. Start your engine and put a volt meter on your cab battery, this will confirm if your Alternator is working. If it has failed you will know why both sets of batteries have gone flat.

10/10 for jockanezzer and I. Nice to nail it once in a while.