Charging cab battery

[Robert1351]

My 2012 Ducato Travel Van is hooked up to the mains for the winter. I have a small oil filled radiator inside which I turn on when the weather is frosty. However the cab battery is gradually losing charge. Would it be in order to connect up a smart charger via the 12v socket on the dashboard to maintain its level of charge?

Alternatively should I connect the charger directly to the battery itself? I’m planning on leaving the leisure battery on charge via the mains hook-up.

 

[FrankNicklin]

Most Fiats don't have a live 12v socket when the ignition is off so you wont be able to use that. Also heat will generate moisture, warm air holds moisture, cold air does not. You don't need heat in an empty MH, ventilation is key. Don't mistake coldness for dampness. Make sure all internal fluids are drained, fresh water, grey tank, open taps and disconnect the shower hose. Empty the hot water tank through the drain valve.

If hooked up to mains then you should be charging the vehicle battery. Make sure you have selected the vehicle battery on the control panel for it to charge. I doubt the leisure battery will reduce much if at all unless you have additional devices permanently connected like USB ports.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

A small battery optimiser might be better if you have the mains capability.
Mike.

 

[Lenny HB]

Ducato dash socket is only live with ignition on.

As your van is a Burstner I assume it has a Elektroblock that should charge the starter battery when on EHU.

No need for heating in a van when not using it it will just create more chance of condensation.

 

[Robert1351]

Many thanks, folks.

The oil heater works off an Alexa plug so I’ll refrain from turning that on .
The elektroblock is keeping the leisure battery topped up (13.4 volts) but the cab battery is down to about 11.5 volts. Maybe the leisure batteries aren’t reaching the voltage for the van battery to start being charged……….?

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[FrankNicklin]

Many thanks, folks.

The oil heater works off an Alexa plug so I’ll refrain from turning that on .
The elektroblock is keeping the leisure battery topped up (13.4 volts) but the cab battery is down to about 11.5 volts. Maybe the leisure batteries aren’t reaching the voltage for the van battery to start being charged……….?

Do you not have to select the vehicle battery from the control panel in order for it to charge. Sorry don't have the same MH so just a guess.

 

[Lenny HB]

Many thanks, folks.

The oil heater works off an Alexa plug so I’ll refrain from turning that on .
The elektroblock is keeping the leisure battery topped up (13.4 volts) but the cab battery is down to about 11.5 volts. Maybe the leisure batteries aren’t reaching the voltage for the van battery to start being charged……….?

The Elektroblock has a separate output to charge the starter battery at 2 amps, it connects to the battery via the fridge connection via a 20 amp fuse next to the starter battery.

 

[Robert1351]

Mmm. Just been out to check the van. I used the central locking again (4 cycles - 2 x lock/unlock) and the control panel now reads 12.5 volts for the van battery. I guess I must have triggered the electroblok into a different charging mode. Hope so anyway.

I also opened the three main roof blinds to find evidence of a small amount of condensation on the frames/window edges. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Robert1351]

I put a meter across the battery terminals today in situ with no charger on and it read 5v so I think that’s the end of that piece of kit. I’ll have to start thinking about what to replace it with……

 

[IRHP]

019 battery code.

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[Robert1351]

Something. Like https://advancedbatterysupplies.co.uk/product/019-type-extra-heavy-duty-advanced-xd-car-battery/
maybe?

 

[LithiumConvert]

heat will generate moisture

They didn't teach me that at school.

 

[FrankNicklin]

They didn't teach me that at school.

Taken out of context, I also said warm air generated by that heat holds moisture.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Something. Like https://advancedbatterysupplies.co.uk/product/019-type-extra-heavy-duty-advanced-xd-car-battery/
maybe?

Yes, and that's a fully maintenance free option.
Mike.

 

[Robert1351]

When I have replaced the cab battery might I connect a smart charger to look after it when on winter hook up (Accumate in picture below)? If so, how would that work in parallel with the 2 amp feed via the fridge connection mentioned above by LennyHB?
Would I need to pull a fuse so that the two don’t conflict?

Is the mains hook-up charger for the leisure battery “smart” and able to float? If not then long term winter hook up might not be a good idea anyway?

My control panel is fairly basic and I don’t know what each switch on the consumer unit does, except the main on/off one. (See below)

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[Robert1351]

Taken out of context, I also said warm air generated by that heat holds moisture.

Yes. Thanks for that. Heater no longer in use .

 

[Robert1351]

I think the answers to my questions may lie here:
http://ourbumble.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Electrobloc-EBL99K.pdf
Don’t bother with Accumate as cab charger in Electrobloc provides a float charge up to 2 amps.
Once the leisure battery is charged, just switch it off at the electrobloc and it will be isolated so should not lose charge.
Maybe disconnect cab negative terminal if van is securely parked and entry is available by mechanical means (ie not just by remote fob but by key as alternative.)
Only use hook-up from time to time if necessary.

Alternatively disconnect and isolate nothing and allow the Electrobloc to look after both batteries ongoing.