Jump leads on motorhome

[herald_400rl]

In a pinch and with 1 working jump lead could you put the MH charger on and connect the jump lead between the 2 positive terminals of the 2 batteries and charging would commence?

 

[Jev88]

In an emergency I have seen jump leads from leisure battery to engine battery but it will degrade the leisure battery.

 

[herald_400rl]

In an emergency I have seen jump leads from leisure battery to engine battery but it will degrade the leisure battery.

I'm not looking to jump as such, a rudimentary connection to the charger more like. But to clarify the thread, I have 1 jump lead that works (the head fell off the positive) and my dad has untimely borrowed my battery charger.
I've bought a battery master but yet to have the weather to fit it and she's been stood for 3 weeks (longest period since purchase) and that appears to be just long enough to not have sufficient juice to start.

 

[tacr2man]

On quite few US RVs they have a boost start button that connects the hab batteries to the chassis battery whilst you turn the start key , effectively a built in jump ;lead . But its only for short period use .

 

[Two on Tour]

In an emergency I have seen jump leads from leisure battery to engine battery but it will degrade the leisure battery.

I read the OP's post that they are hooked up on EHU with the mains charger on so should not run down the leisure battery?

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[Jev88]

Does your van usually charge BOTH batteries when in EHU? Some do and some don't. Turn it on and measure at battery. Over 13 volts it is being charged.

 

[herald_400rl]

Not currently, I've got a battery master to fit to prevent the issue again but as it stands looks like I'm off for a drive to get my charger back

 

[David and Sally]

I can’t see why a lead from the hab battery to the starter should not allow some juice to flow assuming the starter is flat. At some point that will be sufficient to start the van.

 

[bigwood]

I used to use one lead between the winch battery and the vehicle battery poss on my Landrovers in the winter. I couldn’t afford a new battery.
Our Mk6 Transit as standard has two batteries under the drivers seat as oringional build by Ford. One vehicle and one auxiliary. I think they are linked for starting. The converters use the front one as the leisure battery.

 

[herald_400rl]

My only concern for leaving it for a few hours (confirmed it does charger with a multimeter) is the jump lead is unfused.

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[David and Sally]

My only concern for leaving it for a few hours (confirmed it does charger with a multimeter) is the jump lead is unfused.

I too would keep an eye on it. You could make up a fused lead from some auto wire, some croc clips and an in line fuse. In fact, when I fitted my BM I fitted 10a fuses right close to both batteries.

If you are only using the jump lead to get enough juice into the starter battery that should only be 10mins or so and then you should be able to start the engine to charge the starter battery just like any other jump start from an external battery.

 

[pappajohn]

For simply charging....no problem.
It's no different that having two or more leisure batteries linked in parallel.

Even the very occasional jump start won't have any real affect on the leisure battery.