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Post by sandie on Nov 9, 2015 8:06:19 GMT
I bought my then 4 year old Chausson in November 2006. I have never replaced the leisure battery and it has never let me down, or even run down. It may have even be the original battery. I have spent as much as 5 days off hook-up and without charging and still had plenty of juice left. Sadly, though, on Thursday I went to the van and found both the cab and leisure batteries flat. I don't know what caused this. I may have left the services panel on ( or whatever it is called- the panel that shows water level, turns the water pump on, shows battery charge levels). I don't know why that should have drained the cab battery though. So, both batteries have probably been damaged. The leisure battery only just coped with an overnight stay after a150 mile trip. I can't complain at 9 years of trouble free use, though. I can't get the battery out if its well by myself, so can't tell you what make it is just now. Anyway, I am looking for advice on a replacement. Any suggestions gratefully received!
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Post by joncloudvanman on Nov 9, 2015 8:59:54 GMT
Hello. I'd say that since you're happy with what was a good set up, replace the battery with like-for-like. It might be a good time to test your relays for faults too & your alternator in case it's recieved some damage. It's probably ok but i figure that at these times it's worth a quick check through because if there is a fault somewhere & you put a new battery in then the new battery could also get damaged. Hope it works out for you & perhaps someone else will offer advce too.
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Post by sandie on Nov 9, 2015 10:17:13 GMT
Thanks Jon. I was really looking for a recommendation for a brand. I can't see what the current one is without removing it. When someone helped me to do this at a meet some time ago, it was a brand no-one had heard of. If it is original to the van, it is probably French (and a damn good battery!)
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Post by stonedaddy on Nov 9, 2015 11:15:53 GMT
Hi Sandie. I have had a similar problem with my little tow car. It was stood for months, but when I came home from France it was flat. I got it started with jump leads and it run OK. After a while I stopped it and did not bother with it for another couple of weeks. I then tried it again (with jump leads) there was a twang and the alternator belt had snapped. Checked that and it was seized up. I did not check if it was charging the last time I ran it so the belt may have been just slipping round the pulleys until it snapped. I would put one of those little cheap voltmeters in the cig lighter and check if you are getting 14.2 volts out. That is about the voltage a good alternator will run at. As for the batteries, wow you sure have had some good life out of those. nine years is a good age for them and like you say they could have been on from new. Has Joncloudvanman says you can't have a better advert than that for a battery so try to replace with likewise. You will get all sorts of conflicting views off people on battery types but Banner and Excide are popular makes in the middle price range. If you say its in a well somewhere make sure you buy one with the right size and height to fit back in there. Below is a volt meter you might want to buy. www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Digital-Mini-LED-12V-24V-Car-Vehicle-System-Voltmeter-Voltage-Gauge-Volt-Meter-/360650995916?hash=item53f87978cc:g:T~MAAMXQgoBRh3ubGood luck with it all. .... Tom ....
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Post by sandie on Nov 9, 2015 13:38:16 GMT
Thanks Tom. I am pretty sure the alternator's OK. Both batteries charged up on the way to Whitby and the vehicle battery indicators and the 'alternator generating' light on the van electrics control panel show output from the alternator. The cab battery is only 7 years old, as I have replaced that, but the leisure battery is at least 9 years. I fear I have hastened their end by letting them go flat.... Still not sure why though, although leaving the control panel on is the prime suspect. Not sure if that takes its power from the leisure or cab battery. It's connected to both. I'll put the van on the hook-up, get the leisure battery charged up, take it out and get it tested. I'm pretty sure it'll need replacing, through.
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Post by Firefox on Nov 9, 2015 22:04:19 GMT
You may have a sticking relay or something else on (interior light) if both got flattened?
I would see how they go for a while, but leisure battery should generally need replacing after 5 plus years.
I've no real advice. Probably go for the cheapest lead acid battery, not a "leisure" one - they are usually rebadged starter batteries. Though I have seen several people swear by Banner or Varta.
Definitely fit a solar panel. Then you won't need to worry about batteries going flat after a period of disuse.
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Post by robmac on Nov 10, 2015 16:26:35 GMT
I'm a fan of the Banner brand. My 110 amp has never let me down, in fact it has never once been flat in 3.5 years.
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Post by sandie on Nov 10, 2015 21:55:47 GMT
Thanks Vernon. Do you mean fit a panel to charge the cab battery, or leisure, or both? I can put the van on mains hook-up when not in use. That'll keep the leisure battery topped up, but it won't charge the cab battery, will it? I am not sure if/how the two are linked. A solar panel sounds a lot of expense/hassle to go to to avoid a problem I have only had once in 9 years. Unless there's an easy/cheap set-up that doesn't involve permanently fitting it, just to top up the cab battery?
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Post by n brown on Nov 10, 2015 23:47:43 GMT
you can get a small,cheap panel to keep a battery topped up when stored.or you can connect the 2 batts with a relay so the EHU will charge both
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Post by sandie on Nov 11, 2015 8:29:03 GMT
I am wondering if the ehu will charge both anyway? Woukd this be a common configuration? All cables are well hidden. Maybe I'll connect up and borrow a voltmeter.
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Post by stonedaddy on Nov 11, 2015 9:55:36 GMT
Hi Sandie, my old van charges both engine and leisure batteries when on hook up. I also think the new one should do when I get time to check it all out. Now some vans have a changeover switch on or near the control panels that change from cab to habitat areas. I don't know if yours is one of these. Also back to your alternator, you said it charged up on a trip to Whitby. Does your panel show a voltage or is it just a light. The alternator can charge at low voltage when getting old, something like 12.4v and it will put charge into the batteries but not like a good alternator that charges at 14v + and gives a full charge. Just start the engine and put a meter across the battery and see what its charging at then that will clear that problem up. Next charge the batteries on hook up then disconnect them and leave them standing for a few days, if they discharge below 12v they are goosed. If they hold up at about 12.7 they are good. Sometimes and I have only had this once, a battery will hold its charge but will only power light things. It looses its ability to to take a load. The other thing as suggested is fit a solar panel. You only have to do it once but that will look after the batteries without having to hook up. .... Tom ....
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Post by Firefox on Nov 11, 2015 11:42:50 GMT
Solar panels can charge both batteries if wired up correctly.
Panel is not just for topping up at home, it will help with extended wilding. Although if you want to stick with hook up at home and not have expense for a panel, cheapest way to charge van battery is a small panel on the dash and a trickle charge which plugs into cigarette lighter socket.
As for the expense of a roof panel, they have come down a lot £120 for all the kit including panel, regulator and wiring. Should be able to get one fitted for less than £200 or DIY job.
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Post by sandie on Nov 15, 2015 20:32:25 GMT
Well, the battery is out- it's a Fulmen Equipe 95 A/h. The French writing suggests it is original to the van and so 13 years old. I reckon it has earned its retirement! I hope I can find one as good - I do like to buy well and look after things. It's cheaper in the long run. My 8 year old laptop still does what I need it to, so does my 18 year old stereo, dishwasher and washing machine, my 14 year old 150k miles car (bought ex-demo at only 3 months old) has only ever failed one MOT on something easily fixed. Alas, things are not built as well now. Gosh, even thinking like that makes me feel old!
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Post by stonedaddy on Nov 16, 2015 10:19:48 GMT
Blimey Sandie, 13 years old that sure is one hell of a good battery. you say its a Fulmen Equipe 95 A/h, I have never heard of that make before but I would give theme 100 out of 100 for age and durability. I can't see you getting anything that will last half that age over here. Let us know what you decided to buy in the end. .... Tom ....
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Post by n brown on Nov 16, 2015 10:59:50 GMT
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Post by billieblue on Jan 5, 2016 15:25:48 GMT
What did you go for in the end Sandie? I know you told me at New Year but can't remember. Btw, is a 110 a usually much bigger in size than a 75?
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