Vehicle charging

I could take it for a drive but not completely confident driving it. Will see how the charger works over next week and maybe ask a fellow motor homer to take it for a run. 

Our van is Autocruise Rythmn Sport. Don’t think it charges both from EHU. 

Thanks everyone

my 2010 Bolero had the Sargent EC450 ECU and i would have thought your 2012 Rythm Sport would,have the same or similar.

Sargent manual

this unit does charge both batteries (see sections 3.3 and 3.7).

the 'charging' function can be set to Smart (clever charging to both batteries, the default) or Leisure or Vehicle (self explanatory).

similarly, any solar panel charging is controlled by the same options.

there is also a quick way to 'force charge' to one battery or the other, and this is by using the button on the control panel...simply press the 'vehicle' button to force the ehu to charge the cab battery only.

you can try this.

also, see section 3.7 to check that the charging regime is set to 'smart' and not 'leisure' as this would mean never charging the cab battery.

good luck, happy to help more if required.

Perhaps, but if the vehicle is up to a good running temperature (maybe more than 30 minutes) it seems unlikely. Anyway, if the OP cannot drive the vehicle nor charge the battery easily then this is probably the best compromise and at least gets the oil moving and the battery charged.

I am not condoning the dealer practice but if you had thirty motorhomes awaiting sale what would you do?

If its a factory conversion look at the box of tricks that has all the press buttons for everything like water pump, clock etc. There should be a setting for habitation charging. That is the default, If you press the centre button it should then  change to Vehicle battery. If conected to the mains that will automatically recharge the vehicle battery and when fully charged revert to habitation. Look in the handbook for more details. No need therefore to  lift the engine bonnet or get your hands dirty.

agreed.

I would go as far as recommending seperate Ctech chargers, one for the vehicle battery which discharges (probably) the quickest because it sits there waiting for signals from key fobs or doors to activate, or otherwise, burglar alarm or immobiliser , radio codes etc.  Plus inherent losses through the main ecu.

The leisure battery has a lesser task, but still discharges waiting for signals in standby mode. Long gone are the days of a physical switch that turned off the voltage. Soft switching from low to on uses power.

you can opt for connecting and disconnecting the charger and swapping positions, but can be a pain if you forget, or have to brave the storm to change.

With the Ctech you can buy permeant connectors that snap connect the charger connection. Some connectors have a traffic light system which tells you the state of charge. Once wired in, just snap connect, leave the Ctech to do its thing, once the battery is charged, the Ctech will go to maintenance charge and be left on, using next to nothing electricity wise. UN snap, and drive away !

I Have used this system, for years and has shown no ill affect on the batteries.

I could use the on board charger, but for continual use, the inboard charger never fully charges the  batteries because the charge is regulated. Also if the charger breaks down for any reason, it's mega bucks to repair. Ctecks are not cheap, but a lot cheaper than a new inboard charger.

rgds

My  Autocruise  Jazz  2012  version,  certainly  charges  Either  battery  from  the  Orange  mains  lead.    Assuming  its  the  same :--

1 }  plug  lead  into  'van 

2  }  then  plug  into  240 mains  socket

3  }  study  the  Control  panel  ( Mine  is  over  the  sliding  door )

4  )  press  the  centre  of  the  Right  Hand  part    marked  'Vehicle  battery'  and  the  voltage  should  appear  about  12  --  13  volts  which  should  rise  over  a  period  if  its  charging  ok.

Today was a dry sunny day.Had all the doors open to fully air. Put on Mains from Garage and moved gizmo  box to Vehicle Charging. Job done simples  just what we oldies want without any additional gear.  Last used early Dec and next trip late  January.