battery testing

[WASPES]

Hi my motorhome went back to the dealers for some warranty work 3 weeks ago, and I have had sargent tracking phone me a couple of times saying that they have had a low leisure battery alarm go of, the batteries are only 18 months old.
I have 2 leisure batteries, I can log onto the tracking app on my phone and I can see that 1 is showing 11.8 and another is showing 12.6.
I am picking the van back up this week and I have bought a cheap multi meter to test them. My question is do I need to separate the 2 batteries to test them as I don't know which one has gone or can i just put the meter straight onto the terminals of each battery ? thanks

 

[Richard n Ann]

Yes you'll need to separate them to test
Which makes me wonder how the tracking app can read 2 different voltages

 

[fishplug]

Also - voltage alone isn't really a way to test a battery properly.

You can buy inexpensive battery testers that will apply a load and tell you whether the battery is OK or not.

I'm guessing from the voltages that these are not lithium batteries?

 

[pappajohn]

Faulty tracker.
You can't have two different voltages if they are connected in parallel.
If one is discharged to 10v and the other 12v it will still show the voltage of the highest battery...12v...until they equalise

 

[Just smiffy]

I’d call the dealers and tell them to put them on charge otherwise they be getting a bill for new ones….

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[WASPES]

Yes they have been on charge and the van is outside now charging by the solar panel

 

[WASPES]

Also - voltage alone isn't really a way to test a battery properly.

You can buy inexpensive battery testers that will apply a load and tell you whether the battery is OK or not.

I'm guessing from the voltages that these are not lithium batteries?

no not lithium

 

[fishplug]

Have a look at your favourite online store for car load battery testers and spend anything between £10-£40 on one you like the look of!

From reviews I've seen different ones will give the same measurement readings but will then differ on their opinion on whether a battery is 'good' or 'bad'

I'm sure someone here has more experience than me on this, I'm only just starting to look into it so am also interested to hear what people use and trust.

 

[funflair]

Our tracker/alarm only shows the one starter battery but I wonder if this is showing hab and starter, still needs charging though