Motorhome standing and all batteries dead

[Corrinne]

Hi All
My poor motorhome, through no fault of its own, has been in storage for a year and not used. The motor battery was charged a few months ago but I've been there recently and it's dead as well as the control panel. Is there any problem with this, will it be ok to jump start and drive and then take it to a campsite to plug it in. I know it's not the best way go treat your batteries but due to personal reasons the moho has been neglected. Thanks for any advice. Corrinne x

 

[Phill D]

You really need to remove the batteries and charge them fully. Then check they are holding charge.

However, if they have been flat for that length of time they may not fully recover.

Some charges will not charge a battery that is below a certain voltage.

Could you jump start and drive to a campsite, probably.

But I would want to check all is well before I left not when I arrived on site.
But yes you could do what you suggest assuming your onboard charger can deal with the required amount of charge for both cab and leisure batteries and you are plugged in long enough.

 

[Figaro]

The batteries may well be goosed now ?
Best to charge them and check condition before you go or you may be stuck with no lights, water pump or you may not be able to start the vehicle.

 

[Sue and Rick]

You could try charging/ reconditioning the motor / starter battery and if not ok then “try” to make a claim on the warranty (I know this is not morally correct) but times are hard
You really need a multimeter and be competent to use it. Also when van is started check the alternator output. Pointless putting another starter battery on if the van isn’t charging.
I think there is a leisure battery in classifieds for sale.

 

[Corrinne]

You could try charging/ reconditioning the motor / starter battery and if not ok then “try” to make a claim on the warranty (I know this is not morally correct) but times are hard
You really need a multimeter and be competent to use it. Also when van is started check the alternator output. Pointless putting another starter battery on if the van isn’t charging.
I think there is a leisure battery in classifieds for sale.

Thanks so much for all your help. Forgot to say they were all fine last time the motorhome was used, its just they are flat as the motorhome has been left standing too long. They may well be not good because of that and being left uncharged. The motorhome engine itself and the alternator are fine. Thanks again Corrinne

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[Terry]

I think all your batteries may well be goosed.
After replacing if you’re going to lay the van up for anything longer than a month I would suggest you remove the batteries and take them home to charge.
Possibly invest in a solar setup ? So that the sun keeps them charged ?

 

[Kannon Fodda]

Two separate problems of the starter battery and leisure battery. OK both may no longer hold decent charge if totally flattened.

But starter is the big risk. Jump may not be sufficient. You need there to be a good voltage on engine or you can have problems with damage to ECUs, alarm immobiliser and stuff.

Leisure less of a risk, you just sit in the dark.

If likely to leave for lengthy periods again, look at protecting charge with solar, EHU. There will be parasitic currents that cause discharge, as well as just leas battery deterioration.

 

[Hoovie]

Two separate problems of the starter battery and leisure battery. OK both may no longer hold decent charge if totally flattened.

But starter is the big risk. Jump may not be sufficient. You need there to be a good voltage on engine or you can have problems with damage to ECUs, alarm immobiliser and stuff.

+1 on this. Given the starter battery is likely to need replacing anyway, they are pretty inexpensive, and the potential VERY high cost if attempting to jump start the Ducatos with a bad battery, I would be inclined to just get a new Starter Battery fitted before trying to jump start or similiar.

And as said below, worry about the Leisure Battery once you have the van running again, and consider options to maintain when parked up.

Leisure less of a risk, you just sit in the dark.

If likely to leave for lengthy periods again, look at protecting charge with solar, EHU. There will be parasitic currents that cause discharge, as well as just leas battery deterioration.

 

[autorouter]

I don't know how practical this is, but the best thing with the starter battery is to take it off, charge it for 24 hours, then do a 'drop test' on it. Any garage or battery shop will be able to do a drop test, and this will tell you if it is serviceable or not. To be honest, I'd be very surprised if it was any good after a year without charging.

If you're not happy disconnecting and lifting batteries, maybe best to just get a mobile fitter to put in a new starter battery. Then you can go to a campsite and plug in to see if the leisure battery will charge. At least you will be mobile so you can drive somewhere to get a new leisure battery fitted.

A 'drop test', as used on a starter battery, is no good for a leisure battery. It tests how well it supplies a very high current for a few seconds, just like powering a starter motor. A leisure battery is designed to supply a steady current for several hours continuously. It needs a different kind of test, which most places won't do because it takes several hours. Again, I'd be very surprised if it was any good after a year, so maybe just replace it.

 

[MisterB]

If your van has been stood for a year you should also consider checking tyres, brakes etc? Is the MOT current?

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[Odd-no-more]

Years ago I had a stuck relay and it discharged both batteries, totally flat, the van was at home so I plugged it in and switched on the onboard charger. The load of charging two flat batteries burned out the charger

 

[Outofyorkshire]

If they are flooded / wet batteries don't forget to check where levels in them before you try charging. Charging a battery that has gone dry can be very bad !

 

[Aucheorn]

I have a mobility scooter, it hadn't been used in over a year, totally flat batteries. I bought a FOXSUR Pulse Repair Charger from Amazon. Both batteries were charged on the REPAIR setting.
The scooter is back in daily use, for the past 3 months getting it's daily top up.

 

[Landy Andy]

If your van is a fiat, and has an airbag system, then I would just buy and fit a new starter battery. For £100 there is piece of mind, and your not risking the airbag ecu going into failure which will cost you far more.

 

[Jev88]

Where in the country?
I have a battery tester you can use but location dependant

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[swiftsteve]

You will fry your airbag ecu if you jump start your van. A new battery will work out much cheaper. Ask me how I know.

 

[pappajohn]

You really need to remove the batteries and charge them fully.

You really need to replace the batteries.
After standing for the best part of a year the are beyond simply charging and will never hold a charge even if they accept a charge.

 

[Gromett]

I vote for replacing vehicle battery. For all the reasons stated above. Also it will probably let you down at the most inconvenient time. For example, You pull into the motorways services and queue to get to the pump. You get to the pump switch engine off and fill. After paying you can't start again. Irate people behind and no quick solution. Very, very stressful. For the sake of £100 or so I would swap it now just to be safe.

 

[Odd-no-more]

will probably let you down at the most inconvenient time.

A friend of mine did that in a boat, came off the mooring and onto the fuel filled up, like the idiot I was, I cast off before he had started the engine. We drifted across Newhaven harbour, we were lucky enough to be able to catch a ladder at the opposite side and then go and buy a battery

 

[ronboyracer]

You really need to remove the batteries and charge them fully. Then check they are holding charge.

However, if they have been flat for that length of time they may not fully recover.

Some charges will not charge a battery that is below a certain voltage.

Could you jump start and drive to a campsite, probably.

But I would want to check all is well before I left not when I arrived on site.
But yes you could do what you suggest assuming your onboard charger can deal with the required amount of charge for both cab and leisure batteries and you are plugged in long enough.

Whatever you do , the batteries have to be charged slowly for days not on concrete, off the ground , its worth a try , you might bring them back, there is no quick fix, batteries if they are left connected decay , even one lead disconnected helps , but preferably two and a slow trickle charge.
Upon changing my van this time, no dual fridge, all electrick, very eko, 2021 motor home with a solar panel , wired into the leisure battery , but the vehicle battery was suffering , can't charge it with my on board charger that's dedicated to the leisure battery , the solution, a unit called battery master, wired from leisure battery to the vehicle battery , trickle charges the vehicle battery and stops it from decaying , all through the solar panel and the on board charger, you can check the voltage of the vehicle battery by putting a voltmeter between the jump lead connecting points , mine is always topped up, still prefer a dual fridge though .Good luck Ronboy

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[Phill D]

Whatever you do , the batteries have to be charged slowly for days not on concrete, off the ground , its worth a try , you might bring them back, there is no quick fix, batteries if they are left connected decay , even one lead disconnected helps , but preferably two and a slow trickle charge.
Upon changing my van this time, no dual fridge, all electrick, very eko, 2021 motor home with a solar panel , wired into the leisure battery , but the vehicle battery was suffering , can't charge it with my on board charger that's dedicated to the leisure battery , the solution, a unit called battery master, wired from leisure battery to the vehicle battery , trickle charges the vehicle battery and stops it from decaying , all through the solar panel and the on board charger, you can check the voltage of the vehicle battery by putting a voltmeter between the jump lead connecting points , mine is always topped up, still prefer a dual fridge though .Good luck Ronboy

Not my van or batteries Ron, perhaps the op will read your advice.