Charging engine battery

[bushyf]

Hi,
if I plug my vehicle into electric via ehu cable does this also maintain the engine battery charge please?

 

[Elsie2010]

I think it depends on your vehicle (I believe some German vans do but not all. I may be wrong)

 

[David and Sally]

Maybe. Do you have a control panel that shows voltage of the two batteries? If not, get a cheap multimeter and check cab battery with and without ehu plugged in.

 

[Elsie2010]

Maybe. Do you have a control panel that shows voltage of the two batteries? If not, get a cheap multimeter and check cab battery with and without ehu plugged in.

Good call

Or, if its got a tracker, the app should show current voltage with and without EHU

 

[Ingwe]

Not on our 2012 Bailey. We have fitted a Battery Master and never had a problem with a flat vehicle battery.

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[David and Sally]

Not on our 2012 Bailey. We have fitted a Battery Master and never had a problem with a flat vehicle battery.

That is the alternative if the ehu does not charge the cab battery.

 

[VXman]

As said above, some do. Ours does, however, as we have a solar panel charging the leisure battery I fitted a battery master that charges the starter battery from the leisure. Saves having to plug it in to EHU when not in use.

 

[bushyf]

Maybe. Do you have a control panel that shows voltage of the two batteries? If not, get a cheap multimeter and check cab battery with and without ehu plugged in.

Hi, is this the sort of thing you mean about a cheap multi meter? Just worried as I thought it was very cheap but don’t want to pay a lot!
Amazon product ASIN B07W3T2542thanks in advance

 

[Boringfrog]

Hi, is this the sort of thing you mean about a cheap multi meter? Just worried as I thought it was very cheap but don’t want to pay a lot!
Amazon product ASIN B07W3T2542thanks in advance

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[Boringfrog]

Strange, I can see it on my post. Yeah not the best multi-meter, but should still be fine.

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[David and Sally]

Hi, is this the sort of thing you mean about a cheap multi meter? Just worried as I thought it was very cheap but don’t want to pay a lot!
Amazon product ASIN B07W3T2542thanks in advance

Yes. Should be good for what you want to do.

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

After suffering a flat battery during Covid lockdown we had a Battery Master fitted, never had any issues since.
Once fitted, the ehu will charge the leisure battery then the engine battery in turn as will your solar panel

 

[bushyf]

After suffering a flat battery during Covid lockdown we had a Battery Master fitted, never had any issues since.
Once fitted, the ehu will charge the leisure battery then the engine battery in turn as will your solar panel

Ok thanks. I don’t have a solar panel fitted but might consider a battery master sometime. just wanted a simple solution for the moment as I may be moving my motorhome to a position that won’t be so convenient for charging at home.

 

[autorouter]

Yes that meter should do the job. Set it to the 20V DC range. The DC symbol is two lines, one solid, one dotted. The AC symbol is a wavy line. You want the DC settings for measuring automotive voltages.

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Ok thanks. I don’t have a solar panel fitted but might consider a battery master sometime. just wanted a simple solution for the moment as I may be moving my motorhome to a position that won’t be so convenient for charging at home.

A very simple and temporary solution could be to place a folding panel [ 100w or so] in the vans dashboard area. Use it to either charge the hab battery,with a battery master fitted to look after the cab battery. Or, use a good quality MPPT solar controller that allows both a hab and cab charge, Bat1 +Bat2. A controller with multiple charging profiles, [ Lead/AGM/Gel/Lith.]would be a good future proof investment,higher the capacity,the more options for future usage.
Mike.