Motorhome battery

[keithjan]

Hello
Got autotrail Tracker RB nearly 3 years old been in storage because of COVID . I have taken it out for a run every couple of weeks but because of bad weather not moved it hence the battery flat even though solar panel should charge it up but seen no sun for 4 days . Are batteries under guarantee or will my Fiat warranty cover it
Thanks
Keith

 

[DP+JAY]

Cab or Habitation battery? Or both?
DP

 

[DP+JAY]

You might be lucky with the cab battery with Fiat.
DP

 

[keithjan]

Just cab battery leisure reading 13.4 very good cab battery reading 10.5 poor
Thanks

 

[Rapido925M]

You might be lucky. I got a new battery out of SEAT just before the 3y limit last June.
Nothing ventured nothing gained.
Gordon

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[DP+JAY]

I would also find out from your motorhome dealer why your solar didn't charge both.
DP

 

[keithjan]

Thanks I will ring them next week
Keith

 

[Kups]

If you need to buy a new battery i would recommend Tayna batteries. https://www.tayna.co.uk/
good prices and delivery 20% discount for CMC members.

 

[Lenny HB]

Batteries normally have a shorter warranty than the vehicle check your warranty book prooably only one or two years.

 

[keithjan]

Thanks for that will have answers off Fiat tomorrow

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[tonka]

Depending on which Sargent unit is fitted you need to follow certain procedures to ensure both batteries get charged.
On my EC500 you needed to leave the shutdown switch turned "ON" and control panel set to "solar smart charge" to enable charging of both batteries. If you turned off the shutdown switch then only the habitation battery got charged.
During winter the solar may well struggle to keep up with the battery as the sargent system has a very small constant drain ie 0.2 amps. Small but mounts up over time.

 

[keithjan]

Been working great for 2 years when parked up. But this is the second time the battery has gone flat in the last 3 years. Have spoken to Sargent about parking up when not on electric and have been informed to switch E500 unit off but leave E100 above door switched on and this will charge both and this has worked ok when vehicle parked up probably need new battery
Thanks for your info
Keith

 

[pappajohn]

My car has a five year warranty..... But only one year on batteries bulbs and belts.
Classed as consumables.

I wouldn't hold out much hope under expired warranty.

 

[keithjan]

I never get anything for nothing so a new battery will be out of my pocket
Thanks
Keith

 

[GeoffnDee]

Before you buy a new battery It may be worth checking the information from Sargent , as tonka has said, the manual for the EC500 states <if the shutdown button is turned off, then the solar panel will charge the leisure battery> , that is the black system shut down button in the 12 volt controls section.
For the solar to keep both batteries topped up this button needs to be left on with the solar set to smart.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[keithjan]

Yes th Ec500 button needs to be switched on . Also on the Ec100 panel needs to be on smart so it will top up both batteries ,as leisure on 13.4 hoping it will charge cab battery up just need plenty of sun whether it will get cab battery from 10.4 to 12 which will start the engine I will see
Thanks for your replies
Keith

 

[keithjan]

Well a new battery getting fitted hope that sorts the proble out
Thanks for your replies

 

[keithjan]

New battery fitted not under Fiat warranty but I expected that. So leaving it parked up with EC500 switch on and nothing else , EC300 above door switched off but with smart selected so charges both batteries
Leisure on 13.6 and new cab battery on 12.7 so after 2 days checking each day all staying the same . Do not have access to leave electric hookup on hopefully it will hold and will take it out for a run every 2/3weeks
Thanks for your replies