Help, flat battery, can't start Adria Supersonic (newbie mistake!)

Captain Caveman

Captain Caveman

Joined
Nov 5, 2023
Posts
31
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Location
Rural Cheshire
Funster No
99,706
MH
Adria Supersonic 890
Exp
Newbie
Hi guys, can anyone help please?
Got an Adria Supersonic, don't use it in the winter and guess what, she's got a totally dead battery and won't start...
They'll be a way of trickle charging it no doubt, but does any kind soul know how specifically for this van, what equipment and connectors etc. that I'd need, ideally with an idiot's guide for my benefit?

Sorry to ask, any help much appreciated! :)
 
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First winter I had my Moho I bought a cover for it, it covered the solar and I never plugged the EHU in. After winter both leisure batteries were flat and I had to buy 2 new ones (ouch), but the vehicle battery was ok, cant remember if I started it at any time during the winter SORN. Anyway, back on point, you may need a new battery if it doesn’t charge on the EHU. Another option is to jump start and run it for an hour and see if it stays charged.
 
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I park mine on my drive and in winter I plug it into a

CTEK MXS 7.0 Fully Automatic Battery Charger (Charges, Maintains and Reconditions Car, Caravan & Motorhome batteries) 12V, 7 Amp - UK Plug​

A bit pricey compared with some but designed to just be pugged in and left. Which just keeps everything ticking over nicely. I got this one as my vehicle battery is AGM.
 
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Captain Caveman said:
Nice one guys, the van's on EHU now, I'll give it a good 6 hours before trying anything. I need to work out why the solars aren't charging it, and also get a battery trickle charger etc. What a plonker, good job I'm a member of this board and there are kind people about.
Click to expand...
Hi. Could be the solar charging control unit. Usually in a cupboard. Had the same problem. Simply replaced it.
 
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Captain Caveman said:
Hi guys, can anyone help please?
Got an Adria Supersonic, don't use it in the winter and guess what, she's got a totally dead battery and won't start...
They'll be a way of trickle charging it no doubt, but does any kind soul know how specifically for this van, what equipment and connectors etc. that I'd need, ideally with an idiot's guide for my benefit?

Sorry to ask, any help much appreciated! :)
Click to expand...
We purchased a Supersonic new last year and are also having some problems with the charging. I’m interested to know if yours is also the latest Supersonic launched last year.

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AdriaSS890LL said:
We purchased a Supersonic new last year and are also having some problems with the charging. I’m interested to know if yours is also the latest Supersonic launched last year.
Click to expand...
Ours is the 2023 model year (new last year), so I reckon its the same as yours mate. What issues you having - battery going flat and solars don't appear to be charging anything?
 
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Captain Caveman said:
Ours is the 2023 model year (new last year), so I reckon its the same as yours mate. What issues you having - battery going flat and solars don't appear to be charging anything?
Click to expand...
When I got back from Spain by plane in January my old girl wouldn't start put on ehu overnight and away to go first time.
I've no issues since with starting
The car would not start either left that until it got warmer
That started first time. And has done since.
So hope fully all food now (y)
Squeakin said:
First winter I had my Moho I bought a cover for it, it covered the solar and I never plugged the EHU in. After winter both leisure batteries were flat and I had to buy 2 new ones (ouch), but the vehicle battery was ok, cant remember if I started it at any time during the winter SORN. Anyway, back on point, you may need a new battery if it doesn’t charge on the EHU. Another option is to jump start and run it for an hour and see if it stays charged.
Click to expand...
Sorry this made me smile put solar on then cover them 😀
Nearly as good as filling the water tanks and leaving the drain valve open ask me how I know :wink:
 
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Delboyarapaho said:
cause my brand has a habit of waking up dead afte
Click to expand...
.
could you expand on this pls ?
I find that all new knowledge has potential to be useful eventually, especially if spread widely !
_

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Marauder said:
.
Not all chargers are split chargers ( 2 outputs to charge 2 batteries )
Many ( mains OR solar ) are single output, which means some device needed to take power from Hab to Cab Batt(s).

My Victron Blue Smart 240v mains charger is single output, although, as already stated above, Units such as Electrobloc will charge both batts when on Hookup. Chargers with 2 outputs are more expensive, but can offer different charge profiles on each output.

Other option is to get cheaper single output and use BatteryMaster or similar trickle device.
_
Click to expand...
I did speak to an Adria dealer, Alan at Signature Motorhomes (who didn't even supply the vehicle!) and they are superb, they advised that on EHU the leisure batts would take priority but would eventually start charging the 12V starter battery - which is what happened, the van was fine after 3 days' hook up. Phew! :smiley:
 
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Captain Caveman said:
Update: Thank you all so much, leaving it for 3 days on EHU solved the problem! :) (For now)

Awesome forum and community.
Click to expand...
I'd suggest the following:

Get a time clock that runs weeks not hours.
and leave it plugged into the EHU so that it gets a good 12h blast of electricity once a week.

As you have Solar, get a Battery Master (The VanBitz ones are the best, and also most expensive).
This will trickle charge both batteries when the sun shines.

My van lives outside, I find as long as I wipe down the solar panel every time I use the van
(I stick my head and arm out of the rear roof skylight and use a telescopic truck window wash squeegee)
Then the panel will charge the batteries every day, even mid winter.
 
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Captain Caveman said:
I did speak to an Adria dealer, Alan at Signature Motorhomes (who didn't even supply the vehicle!) and they are superb, they advised that on EHU the leisure batts would take priority but would eventually start charging the 12V starter battery - which is what happened, the van was fine after 3 days' hook up. Phew! :smiley:
Click to expand...
Ideally I would fit a dual battery solar controller. You can prioritise which batteries receives the most charge.
Mine are set to 90-10 starter battery in winter and the reverse in the.summer

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Stealaway said:
Ideally I would fit a dual battery solar controller. You can prioritise which batteries receives the most charge.
Mine are set to 90-10 starter battery in winter and the reverse in the.summer
Click to expand...
Don't quote me, but i think the VanBitz Battery Master already does this, with the priority always being the starter motor.
 
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If it's been stood all winter you're going to need a new battery for starters.
This battery may take a charge but it won't hold it. As soon as you begin cranking it will fail.
 
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Marauder said:
.
apologies Phill
_
Click to expand...
Thank you , your point to be a watch out for jump start spikes is a very valid one.
And have seen that advice previously.
using the jump start points to charge the cab battery should not result in the same potential problem.
 
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pappajohn said:
If it's been stood all winter you're going to need a new battery for starters.
This battery may take a charge but it won't hold it. As soon as you begin cranking it will fail.
Click to expand...
To be fair I have started her a few times and she's started first time this time around.... time will tell, hopefully I've got away with it... :eek:
 
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If your solar is just set up to charge the leisure and not the starter then do get one of these (as has been mentioned several times)

I am in a similar situation as you parked on my drive. I haven't the van since November and starter battery is constantly full. This bit of kit is great for just forgetting all about it.

offgridpower.solutions

Van Bitz Battery Master — Offgrid Power Solutions

BATTERY MASTER, LEISURE > ENGINE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM THE AUTOMATIC ENGINE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM WORKS EVEN WITHOUT A MAINS HOOK-UP!
offgridpower.solutions offgridpower.solutions
 
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Captain Caveman said:
Yeah it does have solar but doesn't (at the moment) charge the engine's battery. :(
I need a guide to charging her up so I can start the engine (and will be more careful in future)
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Hiya Captain, If battery is dead flat and not turning engine at sll, I doubt if either ehu or solar will charge it, even a trickle charger will require some life in it.
I suggest you jump it 1st and get it started, preferably use a snap on jump pack and connect under bonnet (Live/Red Passenger side) lift flap to access. Negative/Black in centre top of bulkhead (bolt) Once started, leave running for 10 mins then connect trickle charger after disconnecting jump pack/leads. Once you have a reading you can turn engine off and leave on charge untill full !
Probably a cheaper option than buying a Nocco, especially as look's like you already purchased a charger.
I've never connected my ehu at home, as solar will ultimately charge leisure 1st then starter battery. You should be able to monitor both on your control panel in van, just check it occasionally. I also have a 2022/23 Adria and you can switch off/isolate the hab/leisure side just in case whilst you jump start battery, by turning the knob on side of passenger seat, turn back on when battery fully charged to allow solar to take over charging.
 
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P.s. Captain that's a gorgeous van tbf, must costa packet compared to my Matrix Axess 600SL 🤣 But I wouldn't dream of parking under that tree, as look's like you have a very large driveway, so either move it over, or pull it forward. Else you will be up on the roof cleaning it every 5 minutes . . .
 
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Marauder said:
.
could you expand on this pls ?
I find that all new knowledge has potential to be useful eventually, especially if spread widely !
_
Click to expand...
Yes I have a carthago which I understand uses a control panel provided by CBE. Sorry don’t know the model number. I have been told that switching the panel off and leaving it off for a while can cause a failure, presumably on restarting. I have decided therefore to avoid turning it off unless essential even when left in storage for several weeks. Hence my batteries are always powering the panel which tends to draw about an amp.
 
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