battery charge

Ok this is probably a stupid question but - read on a web site to put a trickle charge into the habitation batteries.  Can I plug in the mains hook up and does this do a trickle charge and is it ok to keep it plugged in all the time. I'm going to drive it around for half an hour each week to keep it ticking over is that ok. Thanks

Hi This is not a stupid question.
1) Your EHU will charge your leisure battery,make sure it is switched on in the Motorhome. No problem.
2) I would NOT just drive it around every week for 1/2 hour. Its best to have a decent run that heats the oil.
Short trips are bad news for condensation in exhaust and wear on engine on start up.
I would go on a proper trip or leave it well alone. IMHO
Regards

Micky

I don't think there are that many Midas owners on here regularly, but if you tell us what make and model of power control system your van has, someone here will probably know. I would guess it probably has an intelligent multi-stage charger built in - which will automatically go into trickle charge mode if left plugged in, but that is just a guess...

Yes to the driving around once a week/fortnight - but half an hour each time is pretty much the minimum, or it won't get the whole exhaust hot enough and it will tend to rot (happened to mine because the previous owner left it idling on the drive rather than taking it out for a proper run).

Will have a look and see power system is on the van thanks

Not understanding electrics, I am trying to get my Winter charging correct.
My perhaps stupid question is this....Having an EC 500 PSU. when I go on EHU, do I need to turn on the control panel before the battery charger starts to work ?  Am I correct in thinking that the charger will then charge both batteries.     Have a good year all    

Hi Jht, mine also has the ec500 and all you need to do is ensure the battery charge button is pressed in when on EHU and the ec500 maintains both batteries. Brill system. You don't need to turn on the other (lcd) control panel.

Don't forget though, turn off battery charger etc and mains ECB before disconnecting mains lead so as to prevent voltage surges damaging sensitive components  and visa versa.

Jaytee wrote:Hi Jht, mine also has the ec500 and all you need to do is ensure the battery charge button is pressed in when on EHU and the ec500 maintains both batteries. Brill system. You don't need to turn on the other (lcd) control panel.

Don't forget though, turn off battery charger etc and mains ECB before disconnecting mains lead so as to prevent voltage surges damaging sensitive components  and visa versa.

Thanks Jaytee,  I like short and to the point answers.   We are up your way at Bridlington next month for a few days, looking forward to our first outing this year.

John.

-mojo- wrote:I don't think there are that many Midas owners on here regularly, but if you tell us what make and model of power control system your van has, someone here will probably know. I would guess it probably has an intelligent multi-stage charger built in - which will automatically go into trickle charge mode if left plugged in, but that is just a guess...

Yes to the driving around once a week/fortnight - but half an hour each time is pretty much the minimum, or it won't get the whole exhaust hot enough and it will tend to rot (happened to mine because the previous owner left it idling on the drive rather than taking it out for a proper run).

Coming in late on this and slightly off topic.Besides the exhaust corrosion the main problem is the engine oil must get up to working temperature .Without an oil temperature gauge, I would not start an engine unless an 1/2 to one hour trip is expected. Remember 90% of engine wear is experienced on start up.

Regards

Micky