Dead batteries moan.....

[DandJ]

We last drove our 2022 Ford based Chausson 3 weeks ago. Did about 100 miles on 50-60mph A roads...and as usual, no issues. I went out to it yesterday afternoon and the on/off butter on the CBE PC180 control panel was not lit up. Mmm. Obviously without that, nothing electrical will work. I checked the batteries (2 x 85AH Exide) and one was at 12.3v and one at 8.54v. I've removed the seat (blimey, they're heavy) and both batteries to remove, charge and hopefully resurrect them. What are the chances? If they're dead, it'll be very annoying IF leaving a light on can kill two £200 batteries.

What's made me 'moan' is that the first owner and original buyer of the van paid to have the twin battery and solar panel fitted, I don't know if Chausson or the supplying dealer in Bordeaux fitted them but the well where they sit is full of swarf, a couple of metal 'plugs' where they've drilled out a lug/bolt and neither battery was held in place...just loose (as are both the control boxes (battery duo system BDS180 and 3 stage battery charger)). Fairly sure it'd be a tad safer if at least the batteries were fixed in place?

 

[pappajohn]

Sorry, but the one at 8.5v is dead, never to work again, knackered, kaput, deceased...its just a plastic box.
It may charge but will never charge to capacity or hold the charge.
The solar panel will be doing nothing at this time of year.
Save time and replace both now.

 

[pappajohn]

£200 for an 85a battery...
They saw the previous owner coming
You can buy 100a gel for less.

 

[Figaro]

Save time and replace both now.

after you finish off the dealers / fitters work cleaning up and making secure fixings for the batteries

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

As said the 8.5v battery is probably scrap. It may come back up to 12.7 volts but not for very long. You may be lucky with the 12.3v battery when it's charged up. You will have to buy another but I would go for bigger than the 85ah. If your going to spend £200 on a new agm why not replace both batteries with a lithium 100ah at around £220 ( ecoworthy) and then later you could add another.

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[LithiumConvert]

Look at it as an opportunity .....




..... to upgrade to lithium.

One £400 LiFePO4 battery will serve you as well, if not much better, then 2 lead-acid batteries.

And you will save a big chunk of payload as well.

 

[DandJ]

Sorry, but the one at 8.5v is dead, never to work again, knackered, kaput, deceased...its just a plastic box.
It may charge but will never charge to capacity or hold the charge.
The solar panel will be doing nothing at this time of year.
Save time and replace both now.

Thanks, I half hoped I may be able to recover it... (I live in SW France...solar works pretty well year round to be honest)

£200 for an 85a battery... saw the previous owner coming
You can buy 100a gel for less.

Just my guess (and the replacement cost of an exide battery here...c€220 but I'll likely go LiFePo)

 

[pappajohn]

ECO-WORTHY LiFePO4 Lithium Battery 100AH 12.8V with 100A BMS,4000-15000 Deep Cycles Battery.
£169

https://amzn.eu/d/4WeiQUz

 

[DandJ]

...and thoughts on batteries not securely fastened down?

 

[TrudeandDall]

...and thoughts on batteries not securely fastened down?

The battery needs securing, a strap works well. Depending on your space in the Ford you may be able to fit a decent size lithium on its side and strap it down. The photo shows a 280 in a Ducato seat base with room for an inverter and the fused cable connectors.

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[LithiumConvert]

...and thoughts on batteries not securely fastened down?

Lithium are much lighter, so easier to fasten down.

and,
If my Sterling Power batteries run down, they just switch themselves off for protection.

 

[LithiumConvert]

If you haven't ordered one yet .....


Your'e overthinking it

 

[gus-lopez]

...and thoughts on batteries not securely fastened down?

The usual shite 'professional' work.

 

[Abacist]

Think about where you were parked up - was the solar panel in shade or even part shade as that could stop it working. You don't want to bugger up the new batteries when they are fitted! The alarm/immobiliser and bits and pieces all consume power and those batteries were not very big! Is the cab battery OK? Do you have a battery master fitted to protect the cab battery? What sort of solar charge controller do you have? Is it MPPT which is the best sort?

 

[Abacist]

...and thoughts on batteries not securely fastened down?

Yes they need to be secured - and yes the dealer did an expensive crap job!

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[DandJ]

Think about where you were parked up - was the solar panel in shade or even part shade as that could stop it working. You don't want to bugger up the new batteries when they are fitted! The alarm/immobiliser and bits and pieces all consume power and those batteries were not very big! Is the cab battery OK? Do you have a battery master fitted to protect the cab battery? What sort of solar charge controller do you have? Is it MPPT which is the best sort?

Parked OS our home, direct sun for the last 5 or 6 days...for about 8 hours each day (no shade at all) No alarm, nothing else on bar the control panel to allow the solar panel to operate. It has a CBE control panel, CBE MPPT charge controller/BDS180 Battery Due System and a redarc 3 stage battery charger (that also allows for LiFePO4 battery charging)
I think that it's just a case of a battery failure...after 2yrs and 8 mths. (They come with a 2 yr guarantee)

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

The battery needs securing, a strap works well. Depending on your space in the Ford you may be able to fit a decent size lithium on its side and strap it down. The photo shows a 280 in a Ducato seat base with room for an inverter and the fused cable connectors. View attachment 994763

Tidy tiger.
Mike.

 

[Abacist]

Don’t buy new AGM’s!

Get lead acid, gels or lithium but lithium best option if you can afford them