Leisure Battery draining despite good solar

[MerlinUK]

Hi

We have a Baily Autograph 79-4 with a 100w solar panel. We currently have a Fuller 110A 12v lead acid leisure battery. The solar controller is currently set to split the charge as 60% leisure and 40% cab battery and is showing the Cab Battery as charged and the leisure battery as charging.

The master control panel is switched off. However, the leisure battery is not holding it's charge. Over the course of a few days the voltage is continually dropping. From full to 12.4v in under a week despite most days being full sunshine. Looking at the Bailey master control panel it is not drawing any current but something must be drawing power or the battery is losing power for some other reason.

Any thoughts?

 

[Miggs]

Hi

We have a Baily Autograph 79-4 with a 100w solar panel. We currently have a Fuller 110A 12v lead acid leisure battery. The solar controller is currently set to split the charge as 60% leisure and 40% cab battery and is showing the Cab Battery as charged and the leisure battery as charging.

The master control panel is switched off. However, the leisure battery is not holding it's charge. Over the course of a few days the voltage is continually dropping. From full to 12.4v in under a week despite most days being full sunshine. Looking at the Bailey master control panel it is not drawing any current but something must be drawing power or the battery is losing power for some other reason.

Any thoughts?

Possibly just a worn out battery. Take it out and get it tested.

 

[MerlinUK]

Possibly just a worn out battery. Take it out and get it tested.

I'm planning on doing that at the weekend. It just seems strange that it drains so quickly with everything off.

 

[berni109]

If the battery is knacked it won't hold a charge for long.
How old is the battery?

 

[MerlinUK]

If the battery is knacked it won't hold a charge for long.
How old is the battery?

I can't find the original receipt. I think it around two years old but time seems to pass so quickly these days it could eaasily be longer. I could not find any manufacturer's date on the battery. I am going to have to assume that it's on its way out.

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[berni109]

pre or post COVID should give u a clue.
Easy way to see if it's the battery.
Take it out and charge it overnight. Leave it for an hour and read voltage. Leave it for a day and read voltage. Then again in another 24hrs. Should all be about the same. That should tell you it can hold a charge.
Assumes u have a mains charger and multi meter.

 

[Simon Meadwell]

I had the same problem i have traced it to the radio even though you push power off it is still whirring.

 

[Jev88]

Sounds like a struggling/near to death battery.
Personally I would have my solar split 90 / 10%...... can't see a need for 40% of the valuable power being generated going to an engine battery that should be brim full after driving to a site.

 

[MerlinUK]

I had the same problem i have traced it to the radio even though you push power off it is still whirring.

Thank you. I will investigate that.

 

[MerlinUK]

pre or post COVID should give u a clue.
Easy way to see if it's the battery.
Take it out and charge it overnight. Leave it for an hour and read voltage. Leave it for a day and read voltage. Then again in another 24hrs. Should all be about the same. That should tell you it can hold a charge.
Assumes u have a mains charger and multi meter.

Yes, I have a charger and multi meter. I will endevour to do that at the weekend.

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[MerlinUK]

Sounds like a struggling/near to death battery.
Personally I would have my solar split 90 / 10%...... can't see a need for 40% of the valuable power being generated going to an engine battery that should be brim full after driving to a site.

Good idea. I will give that a try.