Leisure batteries and hook up ?

[97243]

Does EHU charge / top up the leisure batteries as well powering the van electrics?

I have never thought about it, but the question actually arises because the batteries of my daughter's narrowboat have gone flat even though the boat is permanently moored for winter and on hook up. The supply to the boat appears fine, the RCD trips when tested and the sockets work, but the lighting has died.

So far as I can see so far, the narrowboat is essentially a floating motorhome without wheels, utilising the same systems throughout.

What she has told me is that when the boat was being transported to its winter mooring the solar panel was removed for safety and has yet to be refitted. She ran the engine for a while last night and the batteries came back up, no problem.

 

[FrankNicklin]

All 12V systems will run off the leisure battery and charged via EHU. Only the 240V systems will run direct from EHU via its own consumer unit. It very much depends on how the EHU charging circuits are installed, but for example I have to select our leisure battery to charge it on EHU. Before we leave I switch it over for the last 12 hours or so to the vehicle battery to give it a boost. I will be getting solar an a battery master eventually which will allow the leisure battery to top up the vehicle battery if required. When driving the split charge relay will charge both batteries at the same time.

As the solar panel was removed for safety it looks like they may have disconnected something from the 12V feed to the leisure battery so it no longer charges on EHU. She should contact the company that removed the solar panel and get them to resolve it.

 

[97243]

All 12V systems will run off the leisure battery and charged via EHU. Only the 240V systems will run direct from EHU via its own consumer unit. It very much depends on how the EHU charging circuits are installed, but for example I have to select our leisure battery to charge it on EHU. Before we leave I switch it over for the last 12 hours or so to the vehicle battery to give it a boost. I will be getting solar an a battery master eventually which will allow the leisure battery to top up the vehicle battery if required. When driving the split charge reply will charge both batteries at the same time.

As the solar panel was removed for safety it looks like they may have disconnected something from the 12V feed to the leisure battery so it no longer charges on EHU. She should contact the company that removed the solar panel and get them to resolve it.

Thanks for the detail. I've just had a message to say that the marina engineer is looking at the boat today, so hopefully all will become clear later.

 

[97243]

All 12V systems will run off the leisure battery and charged via EHU. Only the 240V systems will run direct from EHU via its own consumer unit. It very much depends on how the EHU charging circuits are installed, but for example I have to select our leisure battery to charge it on EHU. Before we leave I switch it over for the last 12 hours or so to the vehicle battery to give it a boost. I will be getting solar an a battery master eventually which will allow the leisure battery to top up the vehicle battery if required. When driving the split charge relay will charge both batteries at the same time.

As the solar panel was removed for safety it looks like they may have disconnected something from the 12V feed to the leisure battery so it no longer charges on EHU. She should contact the company that removed the solar panel and get them to resolve it.

Just by way of feedback, the marina engineer has confirmed that the EHU powers only the 13 amp sockets and the batteries are charged by the solar panel when moored. He has refitted that and it is doing what it is supposed to. The batteries run the lighting and the12v fridge. He's going to keep an eye on the situation and install a charger if necessary, but he thinks that is unlikely.

 

[ChrisL]

Just by way of feedback, the marina engineer has confirmed that the EHU powers only the 13 amp sockets and the batteries are charged by the solar panel when moored. He has refitted that and it is doing what it is supposed to. The batteries run the lighting and the12v fridge. He's going to keep an eye on the situation and install a charger if necessary, but he thinks that is unlikely.

I would think that in the winter the solar panel might struggle to keep up with the fridge and lighting, maybe fit a mains charger like the Victron IP22.

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[Just smiffy]

Just by way of feedback, the marina engineer has confirmed that the EHU powers only the 13 amp sockets and the batteries are charged by the solar panel when moored. He has refitted that and it is doing what it is supposed to. The batteries run the lighting and the12v fridge. He's going to keep an eye on the situation and install a charger if necessary, but he thinks that is unlikely.

It would be wise for her to buy a battery charger, even a reasonable one from Amazon that she could plug into the mains and keep her batteries topped up which at this time of year with not much sun for the solar would be a very wise choice, it would also keep the batteries maintained in a better condition…

sorry link wouldn’t work but this will do it…

 

[FrankNicklin]

I would invest in a permanent battery charger off EHU. Once installed no need to worry about plugging in chargers and 12v will always be available. As you say a Motorhome on water and that is what they all have. Will also keep engine battery topped up if have something like battery master.