Hi, our slide-on camper is about 7 years old and not sure if our battery is on the way out or not. When we are away we generally have the van plugged into 240v and when we are at home I usually plug the van into 240v to charge the battery when it's not in use, it usually shows about 13v. Recently the volt meter is showing only about 11.8v when it is either plugged into 240v or just running off the battery. I have also noticed that some of the accessories such as lights, radio, water pump are not working when only using 12v but are fine when plugged in. I'm happy to get a new battery but am also hoping that the new battery will solve the other issue and that there is not something else I need to have checked out with the accessories. Any suggestions welcome.
Your battery charger may be not working. This would give the lower voltage on the battery (it will go down if this is the case. Disconnect the battery and then check the voltage at the leads going into the battery. You should have 14 or 15 volts. If you do, it is likely that one of the battery cells had died, drawing the voltage down to those levels.
Hi all; I would pull the battery out and have it load tested and recharged, but i have to say after 7 years of use your battery may well and truly be stuffed. But saying that i would take the slide on camper and have the battery test on the spot at the battery shop. At the same time the installer would also be able to test you battery charger at the same time. It could be faulty and your reason why you have a flat battery in the first place.
I think that your battery has failed because one cell has shorted. That is why the charger cannot get the voltage up to normal levels. It is now only a 10V battery. Do not continue to charge it or use your 12v items that do not work correctly or you may damage things.
Get it tested and replaced if found to be faulty. Give us a report on the outcome please.
thanks for helping me confirm my thoughts, I will go to our local caravan repair shop and talk to him directly knowing that I will probably need a new battery. Nice to get some opinions though.
I strongly suggest you do not seek advice from the caravan repair shop regarding this issue but rather you visit a battery supplier.
The caravan guy will know little of batteries and will likely sell you something he can make the best profit on. At least the battery guy will cut out the middle man and probably know what he's talking about... maybe :)
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"I beseech you in the bowels of Christ think it possible you may be mistaken"
Oliver Cromwell, 3rd August 1650 - in a letter to the General Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland
Hmm
+1 for going to a battery place rather than a caravan repair place.
But as we do not know where you are we cannot know what battery sellers you have in your area. Get quotes is what i do before I proceed. Some resellers have a large markup that reduces if you ask for a quote !
Jaahn
Thanks everyone, we live in Gippsland, Victoria so will take it to a battery shop somewhere around here where I can get them to check it and more than likely buy a new one. Thanks again, nice to have these forums for ideas, especially to someone not very tech savvy.
Every time I suspect a dead battery when its over 5 years old . More so if its been flat a few times !! Its time for a new one ., Even if you get a few more months ? But eventually it will let you down and in the most annoying time !! Best get new good battery / batteries and check charging !! Be aware of voltage the regulator is set at ! Must be complimentary to battery !!
Be aware of voltage the regulator is set at ! Must be complimentary to battery !!
Chris, when you get your new batteries make sure you get the specifications with them. Use the guide to check the way your battery charger is set up. If the charger is not set up to the correct voltages then change the settings to match the new batteries. (Batteries from America are often charged at higher than Chinese sourced batteries.)
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
Thanks, took the battery to a specialist in Traralgon, he checked it and said it was stuffed, a new one cost $440, it seems to have solved the issues with some of the accessories not working so am quite happy now. Glad I got it sorted before our next trip. We rely on our battery power to lift the electric legs on the slide-on if we are not using 240v so could be in strife if battery fails (not sure if we run jumper leads from car to van if that would do the job but don't want to be in a situation to find out!).
Regards to all and hope all get out and about now lock-downs seem to be a thing of the past.
Give us a report on the outcome please.
