Winter Battery Charging Problem!

[IanF]

Hi we keep our MH in a secure storage site away from home. Unfortunately there is no EHU possibility there and in this continual poor weather the solar panels are obviously ineffective in keeping the Leisure batteries charged. Like others have I'm sure, they are located under the front seats and are quite awkward to remove as the seats and swivel plates require to be removed first.

My question then is this;- Are there any gizmos available on the market which can be charged at home then taken to the MH and recharge the Leisure batteries from it?
Thanks again
Ian

 

[Lenny HB]

That is exactly what I thought however both Leisure batteries failed totally recently with the engine being run for an hour every two weeks.

Hope you were driving it, good way to wreck a diesel engine starting from cold and leaving ticking over, also wrecks the CAT.

 

[Don Quixote]

Hope you were driving it, good way to wreck a diesel engine starting from cold and leaving ticking over, also wrecks the CAT.

How come "white van man" can run his diesel engine on tick over for hours without problem? When I works as a signalman for network rail the maintenance lads would run the van on tickover for hours on end without problem.

 

[Stealaway]

So do I.

I also fitted an amp meter to monitor the domestic battery's charging.

 

[GJH]

If you need it checking by a decent auto electrician, Ian, I can recommend Auto Electrics (Teesside) at Thornaby (near Victoria Bridge).

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[Lenny HB]

How come "white van man" can run his diesel engine on tick over for hours without problem? When I works as a signalman for network rail the maintenance lads would run the van on tickover for hours on end without problem.

I did say from Cold & white van man couldn't care a toss about the engine he ain't paying for the repairs, your network rail vans probably didn't have CATS.

 

[denisejoe]

October November December have been the worst for solar panel output for the last 4 years as my house panels can verify
joe

 

[IanF]

If you need it checking by a decent auto electrician, Ian, I can recommend Auto Electrics (Teesside) at Thornaby (near Victoria Bridge).

Thank you I get the MH back from Marquis tomorrow complete with 3 new batteries and hopefully I'll take up that idea soon after
Thanks again
Ian

 

[mitzimad]

ive not come across a van that doesnt charge leisure batteries from the alternator when running marquis may have proved this isnt happening but have they proved that is correct? I would speak to manufacturers or look for an owners club for info

 

[scotzsue]

surprised your solar isn't doing the job, last van had 1x80w solar panel 2 leisure batteries and a tracker, solar kept all batteries topped up even when it snowed, i'd make sure system is set up and working properly.

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[IanF]

surprised your solar isn't doing the job, last van had 1x80w solar panel 2 leisure batteries and a tracker, solar kept all batteries topped up even when it snowed, i'd make sure system is set up and working properly.

Part of the problem,which will be eliminated tomorrow is that the MH had batteries of unknown age and quality. The solar panels fitted previously kept the batteries fully charged. We have had the MH only since June and clearly this is our first winter and the first time the MH has remained unused for about 2 months now.The solar system did perform really well but there are/were so many system unknowns and erroneous advice from Marquis,

 

[GJH]

surprised your solar isn't doing the job, last van had 1x80w solar panel 2 leisure batteries and a tracker, solar kept all batteries topped up even when it snowed, i'd make sure system is set up and working properly.

We have an 80W panel and a single leisure battery plus the starter. All that "runs" when the van is on the drive are the alarm and tracker. Everything is set up and working properly but, as mentioned earlier, most of the year it is fine but the position means the panel doesn't get enough sun in December/January.

 

[tick59]

What you doing up at 7:03 has she kicked you out of BED????? fun!!! fun!!! fun!!!

 

[GJH]

What you doing up at 7:03 has she kicked you out of BED????? fun!!! fun!!! fun!!!

I was up at 6 Bill. I'm always up early, can't lay in bed all day. That's for old blokes

 

[xsparks]

I'm of the belief that although the alternator may well charge the leisure battery once the vehicle battery is satisfied the alternator will revert to trickle charge and therefore take a long time to recharge a flat leisure battery.

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[Don Quixote]

I'm of the belief that although the alternator may well charge the leisure battery once the vehicle battery is satisfied the alternator will revert to trickle charge and therefore take a long time to recharge a flat leisure battery.

You are correct.

 

[teensvan99]

130 watt solar panel and 20 amp regulator from Ebay. No more than £200. Our panel is now 9 years old been on 2 vans and still keeps leisure batts and starter bat charged. Easy job fitting it up if you have a bit of know how you only get ripped off if you use a dealer for it all.

 

[IanF]

Just a quick update--We picked up our MH from Marquis at Birtley,Durham today complete with 3 new batteries and a reassurance that all the electrical issues are now resolved.The electrical problems started on the 1st June 15 the day we first bought the MH. We stayed locally at the CC site at Durham Grange just in case there were any problems. The only problem back then was a defective toilet cassette indicator system. It's been back now on 7 occasions to get this defect resolved and today we were told everything had been thoroughly tested and all possible problems with the Leisure system rectified. Great news!!

Being a cynical old git we decided today to go back to Durham Grange CC site just in case this news was misguided and lo and behold the toilet system instead of defective is now totally malfunctioning!

Is patience really a virtue?

 

[GJH]

Is patience really a virtue?

I suppose the fine is less than you get for smacking a salesman in the gob

 

[IanF]

I suppose the fine is less than you get for smacking a salesman in the gob

Graham I've now got the Marquis Depot manager pleading with me not to escalate it to his superiors! May be a very big lever indeed he has given me.
Ian

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[GJH]

the toilet system instead of defective is now totally malfunctioning!

Just had a thought. If the electric flush isn't working it could be the fuse. I think (not certain) that, on ours, it is located somewhere underneath the holding tank.

 

[GJH]

Graham I've now got the Marquis Depot manager pleading with me not to escalate it to his superiors! May be a very big lever indeed he has given me.
Ian

Double Like - at least

 

[Steve826]

Hi,
Not sure if this is the best thread to put this on, but here goes.
I have similar problems to those mentioned here as I have sorned my Swift Kingsmere 590RL year 2000 on a large compound for the winter. I'm hoping I don't need to remove my underseat leisure battery.

I understand from the manual that if I run the engine and the vehicles battery is charged it will put very little charge in the leisure battery but if the vehicle battery is nearly flat both batteries will be charged.

Does anyone know if its possible to put the lights and heater etc on to improve the leisure battery charging?

Any help on this will be appreciated.

 

[Boringfrog]

Hi,
Not sure if this is the best thread to put this on, but here goes.
I have similar problems to those mentioned here as I have sorned my Swift Kingsmere 590RL year 2000 on a large compound for the winter. I'm hoping I don't need to remove my underseat leisure battery.

I understand from the manual that if I run the engine and the vehicles battery is charged it will put very little charge in the leisure battery but if the vehicle battery is nearly flat both batteries will be charged.

Does anyone know if its possible to put the lights and heater etc on to improve the leisure battery charging?

Any help on this will be appreciated.

I would start a new thread.

 

[Boringfrog]

Hi,
Not sure if this is the best thread to put this on, but here goes.
I have similar problems to those mentioned here as I have sorned my Swift Kingsmere 590RL year 2000 on a large compound for the winter. I'm hoping I don't need to remove my underseat leisure battery.

I understand from the manual that if I run the engine and the vehicles battery is charged it will put very little charge in the leisure battery but if the vehicle battery is nearly flat both batteries will be charged.

Does anyone know if its possible to put the lights and heater etc on to improve the leisure battery charging?

Any help on this will be appreciated.

I would start a new thread.

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[Boringfrog]

Hi,
Not sure if this is the best thread to put this on, but here goes.
I have similar problems to those mentioned here as I have sorned my Swift Kingsmere 590RL year 2000 on a large compound for the winter. I'm hoping I don't need to remove my underseat leisure battery.

I understand from the manual that if I run the engine and the vehicles battery is charged it will put very little charge in the leisure battery but if the vehicle battery is nearly flat both batteries will be charged.

Does anyone know if its possible to put the lights and heater etc on to improve the leisure battery charging?

Any help on this will be appreciated.

I would start a new thread.

 

[Boringfrog]

Hi,
Not sure if this is the best thread to put this on, but here goes.
I have similar problems to those mentioned here as I have sorned my Swift Kingsmere 590RL year 2000 on a large compound for the winter. I'm hoping I don't need to remove my underseat leisure battery.

I understand from the manual that if I run the engine and the vehicles battery is charged it will put very little charge in the leisure battery but if the vehicle battery is nearly flat both batteries will be charged.

Does anyone know if its possible to put the lights and heater etc on to improve the leisure battery charging?

Any help on this will be appreciated.

I would start a new thread.

 

[Boringfrog]

Hi,
Not sure if this is the best thread to put this on, but here goes.
I have similar problems to those mentioned here as I have sorned my Swift Kingsmere 590RL year 2000 on a large compound for the winter. I'm hoping I don't need to remove my underseat leisure battery.

I understand from the manual that if I run the engine and the vehicles battery is charged it will put very little charge in the leisure battery but if the vehicle battery is nearly flat both batteries will be charged.

Does anyone know if its possible to put the lights and heater etc on to improve the leisure battery charging?

Any help on this will be appreciated.

I would start a new thread.

 

[Boringfrog]

Hi,
Not sure if this is the best thread to put this on, but here goes.
I have similar problems to those mentioned here as I have sorned my Swift Kingsmere 590RL year 2000 on a large compound for the winter. I'm hoping I don't need to remove my underseat leisure battery.

I understand from the manual that if I run the engine and the vehicles battery is charged it will put very little charge in the leisure battery but if the vehicle battery is nearly flat both batteries will be charged.

Does anyone know if its possible to put the lights and heater etc on to improve the leisure battery charging?

Any help on this will be appreciated.

I would start a new thread.

 

[daveandsan]

Is there an echo in here.

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[Boringfrog]

Is there an echo in here.

Errrrrr. Internet problems. Honest.