Battery charging when MH in storage

Posted on 17/06/2022 16:29 by DavidKlyne

Really appreciate the knowledge here but have to ask another dumb question, how would i know if the previous owner fitted a 'Battery Master'?

I suspect that if you had a battery master fitted you wouldn't have a problem? I have had them fitted to both my Bailey motorhomes by Vanbitz at the same time as they fitted my alarms. It is a tiny device and it depends where it is fitted whether you can find it. Its about two inches square and has a little light on it. On the first motorhome it was fitted near the leisure battery but on my current motorhome it seems to be tucked around the back of the consumer unit. 

Cornish Farm is handy for a visit to VanBitz to have work done. On our last visit (2019) the campsite now charge for the stay which is then refunded by VanBitz. As far as the site itself is concerned I am not sure I would stay there if I wasn't having work done although it would be a handy overnight from the M5, wouldn't see it as a holiday destination?

David

Posted on 15/06/2022 20:45 by peedee

The best thing to do is to measure the voltages of both batteries with the electronics turned off and no EHU. Do it on a sunny day to guarantee an output from your solar panel. You should see in excess of 12.8 volts across the leisure battery if the solar panel is doing its job. Auto trail never used to make any provision to charge the vehicle battery, just leaving it to the alternator to do the job. Bad news unless you are using the motorhome regularly. If you are confident the leisure battery is fully charged have a look at the voltage across the vehicle battery. If it is not in excess of 12.8 volts it is unlikely it is charging from the solar panel. You can buy a relatively cheap  device to ensure the solar panel charges both batteries. Check out >Battery Master<

peedee

Posted on 23/06/2022 15:08

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Just taken the MH out of 2 week storage. Had switched the electrics off at the main consumer unit. when put in storage. Started the engine, switched on the electrics, checked the console display for battery consumption and everything seemed hunky dory (see pics).

Blurb from the manual says the solar panel will decide which battery it will add charge to and looking at the pic it seems to be charging the vehicle battery (v) at the moment?

Was talking to someone who used to have the same MH and they said the solar panel will always charge the vehicle battery first (but can't find anything to back that up).

Anyway, i feel a bit more confident that the batteries aren't going to die when in storage for 2 or 3 weeks.

Appreciate everyone's help so far, thanks guys.

Moderator Comment - Changed instructions photo to landscape to make it easier to read.

Gallery

Posted on 15/06/2022 11:51 by

We have an Auto-Trail Mohawk (2012) with an EC-700 power unit.

As we don't have room on the drive then unfortunately we have to keep it in storage. The manual states....

"The leisure battery is charged by either the vehicle alternator when the engine is running or by the on-board charger when the vehicle is plugged into a suitable mains supply. If your vehicle is fitted with a solar panel this will also charge the leisure battery when conditions allow. The EC 700 has a shutdown feature that can be used when the vehicle is in storage. This allows the leisure electronics to be turned off when not required to save battery power"

Questions:

Will the solar panel still charge the leisure battery when in storage even though the "leisure electronics" are turned off? (may be a dumb question though)

How often would you suggest we take it out of storage to recharge the batteries (especially in the winter)

Just a little concerned about the batteries slowly discharging too much as i read in another thread that this can damage the batteries and hence their lifespan :-(

Thanks in advance

Pete.

 

Posted on 24/06/2022 09:16 by peedee

10 years old H. Did the EC700 do both batteries back in 2012?

peedee

 

Posted on 24/06/2022 09:16 by peedee

10 years old H. Did the EC700 do both batteries back in 2012?

peedee