Am I missing something, I've had my Swift Bolero 712 for about 3 years, after about 6months of purchase I went to start it and the vehicle battery was completely flat measured 1.5 volts after charging for a few days all seemed ok but then went flat again and assumed battery had died so purchased a new Varta and replaced it and all has been fine for the last couple of years but this weekend I've had the same problem battery completely flat checked to make sure everything was off and recharged only to find the following day battery was flat again, the only thing I think that can still be a drain is the alarm, I have just purchased a new multi meter and have the battery on charge so will see if there is something draining the battery once charged but suspect this battery may also have died and not be any good, but it's only 2.5 years old any thoughts!
flat vehicle battery
- Thread starter BAThomas
- Start date
- Dec 24, 2014
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- Ever since lighting was by Calor gas.
For how long was the vehicle left undriven before the battery went flat? A week, a month...........?
started two weeks ago and all seemed fine.
- Apr 6, 2019
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A sure sign of a failing battery is not holding charge more than a few days or weeks.
What is your winter battery maintaining regime ?
Would hope a Varta cab battery would last longer than that.
Are you totally isolating the cab battery (red button on steering lock on Peugeot's) ?
Would hope a Varta cab battery would last longer than that.
Are you totally isolating the cab battery (red button on steering lock on Peugeot's) ?
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Hi I run the vehicle every two weeks, it's permanently on EHU but no I don't isolate he battery, I do have roof mounted solar panel and Sagent so thought it should be ok, just checked and the battery isn't two years old until Feb 2023.
If you have the van on permanent hook up you could use an inexpensive mains powered battery charger/maintainer to look after the battery. One that's designed to be left attached long term.
Is the Sargent unit or solar set to charge the vehicle battery,many only charge the leisure battery.Depending on how long you run the engine for can do more harm than good.
- Jan 11, 2010
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- Well that`s our 14th year & still loving it.
I think a new battery is required and then hook it up to a trickle charger, rather than the onboard charger, a trickle charge will keep both Hab and Vehicle battery in tip top condition, (if you have a Vanbitz Battery Master fitted).
If your PSU is a Sargent unit they are normally linked to a onboard Sargent PX300 charger and this has intelligent charging which can be left on when on EHU , it will then keep both the starter and leisure batteries charged up , as long as the smart charging feature on the PSU is set correctly.(If the PSU is a EC400/450/500 series)
The solar should also keep both batteries charged using the smart charge system (As long as the solar is wired into the PSU)
The solar should also keep both batteries charged using the smart charge system (As long as the solar is wired into the PSU)
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Try and claim for a new battery on warranty if you have the receipt and can remember where you got it from. Then do as the above say. Chargers etc.
I think Varta have at least 3 years maybe 5 years warranty.
I think Varta have at least 3 years maybe 5 years warranty.
Lenny HB
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- Oct 18, 2007
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When you start it every couple weeks I hope you are taking it for a drive and getting the engine fully up to temperature.
Just running from cold stationary is a good way of wrecking a modern diesel.
Just running from cold stationary is a good way of wrecking a modern diesel.
you've confirmed my thoughts, I keep the sargent set to vehicle battery as I've never had a problem with the leisure batteries as I think the solar keeps them topped up.
You should be able to set the PSU smart system to keep both the leisure and starter batteries charged from your solar , if there is enough power input from the solar system or if the solar is connected direct to the leisure battery then you would need (as suggested) to fit a battery master to also keep the starter battery trickle charged via the solar.
If you have the Sargent set to vehicle ,on mains charging , and the starter battery is flat , maybe the mains charger is not working ? (There should be a LED showing on the PX300 if it is on)
Or it may all be just a faulty battery that the charger cannot charge.
If you have the Sargent set to vehicle ,on mains charging , and the starter battery is flat , maybe the mains charger is not working ? (There should be a LED showing on the PX300 if it is on)
Or it may all be just a faulty battery that the charger cannot charge.
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With your new multimeter you can check whether either of the batteries is getting any charge. With the meter probes on the battery terminals you should see a voltage of between 12.0V and 12.8V when the battery is 'resting' (ie no load, no charging). If the voltage goes to 13.0V or more, then something is charging it (solar, EHU etc). Typically you will get about 14.5V when the battery is actively charging, and it drops down to about 13.5V when 'float' charging. Float charging keeps the battery topped up without overcharging.
A fairly flat battery will take several hours to charge to 100%.
I've taken the battery out and had it on charge for a few days then took it off charge and took reading and got 12.97v. left it off charge over night took reading the following morning and it's down to 7,5 so confirms battery is US, been in touch with supplier and they will replace under warranty once confirmation of faulty battery.
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