Leisure battery problem
+6
Snowwolf
Askit
BobK
IanH
Roopert
Mabli
10 posters
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Leisure battery problem
Our leisure battery is the original, so 6.5 yrs old minimum, and has always worked perfectly fine until a couple of weeks ago. We'd been spending 1 or 2 nights off grid at a time with no issues at all. During our recent trip, dim lights and the control panel alarm signalled that something was amiss. By monitoring the battery power regularly, we confirmed that the solar panel was charging the battery, and by lunch time each day we'd have a good battery level. However, the battery was discharging very quickly and on light loads, so when we arrived home we opened the battery box, with a view to replacing it, as we were convinced (from reading similar topics here) that it was time for a new battery. We found that it has "Indicator Condition" lights - Green = good; Grey = charging necessary; Clear = replace battery. Are these indicators reliable??? Ours has been Green or Grey since we've been testing it!
The last test we carried out was to leave all the lights on, (ensuring that everything else was off) - within 2 hours of dusk the system had shut itself down apart from one light. Has anyone experienced similar problems, and found that there was a problem other than the leisure battery itself? Thank you!
The last test we carried out was to leave all the lights on, (ensuring that everything else was off) - within 2 hours of dusk the system had shut itself down apart from one light. Has anyone experienced similar problems, and found that there was a problem other than the leisure battery itself? Thank you!
Mabli- Donator
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Posts : 48
Joined : 2018-09-03
Location : South Wales
Auto-Sleeper Model : Broadway
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Re: Leisure battery problem
I think there's a very good chance that the battery has simply had it. IIRC the green/clear indicator on maintenance-free batteries just shows when the electrolyte is too low (in the cell that the indicator is mounted in) but even with a good level of electrolyte, the capacity still drops away as they age.
One good test that you could do is to disconnect the battery and put it on an external battery charger, then repeat your test to see how long it lasts under load. You don't need an especially costly charger for that - even the ones at £12.99 from LIDL should do the job OK.
One good test that you could do is to disconnect the battery and put it on an external battery charger, then repeat your test to see how long it lasts under load. You don't need an especially costly charger for that - even the ones at £12.99 from LIDL should do the job OK.
Roopert- Member
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Re: Leisure battery problem
Virtually certain to be the battery dead or dying.
Relatively cheap item compared to motorhome cost, and usually easy to change.
Google TAYNA. Find what you need. Buy today, be with you tomorrow......
Relatively cheap item compared to motorhome cost, and usually easy to change.
Google TAYNA. Find what you need. Buy today, be with you tomorrow......
IanH- Donator
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Posts : 8316
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Leytonexile likes this post
Re: Leisure battery problem
I’m no electrician, so if this is a stupid question, apologies in advance! Is there a difference between charging on ehu to charging it as you suggested? Thank youRoopert wrote:I think there's a very good chance that the battery has simply had it. IIRC the green/clear indicator on maintenance-free batteries just shows when the electrolyte is too low (in the cell that the indicator is mounted in) but even with a good level of electrolyte, the capacity still drops away as they age.
One good test that you could do is to disconnect the battery and put it on an external battery charger, then repeat your test to see how long it lasts under load. You don't need an especially costly charger for that - even the ones at £12.99 from LIDL should do the job OK.
Mabli- Donator
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Posts : 48
Joined : 2018-09-03
Location : South Wales
Auto-Sleeper Model : Broadway
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Re: Leisure battery problem
Thanks for the tip!IanH wrote:Virtually certain to be the battery dead or dying.
Relatively cheap item compared to motorhome cost, and usually easy to change.
Google TAYNA. Find what you need. Buy today, be with you tomorrow......
Mabli- Donator
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Posts : 48
Joined : 2018-09-03
Location : South Wales
Auto-Sleeper Model : Broadway
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Re: Leisure battery problem
I think Roopert was suggesting that an independent charge, while not connected to anything on the van (both battery terminals disconnected) would then give you a good idea how the battery lasted after an independent charge.Mabli wrote:
I’m no electrician, so if this is a stupid question, apologies in advance! Is there a difference between charging on ehu to charging it as you suggested? Thank you
BobK- Member
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Auto-Sleeper Model : Autosleepless!!
Re: Leisure battery problem
Mabli wrote:
I’m no electrician, so if this is a stupid question, apologies in advance! Is there a difference between charging on ehu to charging it as you suggested? Thank you
I think that Roopert is suggesting, by using an external charging source, you remove the possibility of the issue being related to the van's systems. In other words you can check whether it's a battery or van issue. I had the same problem recently and had to replace both batteries, sourced from Tanya.
Bob beat me to it
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Askit- Donator
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BobK likes this post
Re: Leisure battery problem
Yes, sorry, didn't explain well - as BobK and Askit have said, the suggestion was intended as a test to rule out the possibility of a problem with the charger(s) in the van.
Roopert- Member
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BobK likes this post
Re: Leisure battery problem
Thank you all for your help, will test further
Mabli- Donator
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Re: Leisure battery problem
Don’t bother testing, it’s at end of life, buy a new battery, it’s only way forward, you have done well at 6.5 years
Snowwolf- Member
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Location : Rochester Kent
Auto-Sleeper Model : Symbol
Vehicle Year : 2019
Re: Leisure battery problem
the green indicator system on some batteries are not liquid level indicator but a hydrometer to show the level of charge in the electrolyte and are very inaccurate , at 6.5 years I would expect a lead acid battery to be past its best .
Avontourist- Member
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Location : Devon
Auto-Sleeper Model : Malvern
Vehicle Year : 2022
Re: Leisure battery problem
Snowwolf and Avontourist, that’s my feeling as well, especially as I’ve now seen that most batteries are only guaranteed for 4 yrs! Thank you
Mabli- Donator
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Posts : 48
Joined : 2018-09-03
Location : South Wales
Auto-Sleeper Model : Broadway
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Re: Leisure battery problem
Once you suspect your battery is going ,, you are usually right ,replace
Molly3- Member
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Location : Sheffield
Auto-Sleeper Model : Nuevo
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just replaced ours
we got 12 years out our battery ,just replaced ours from Halfords , easy to fit
jubejube- Member
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Location : Kirkcaldy,Fife
Auto-Sleeper Model : Lancashire
12 years
I would guess that all your trips away you are on electrical hook up ? A batter that old is unlikely to last any length of time when not connected to EHUjubejube wrote:we got 12 years out our battery ,just replaced ours from Halfords , easy to fit
Snowwolf- Member
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Posts : 177
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12 years
You're correct we never wild camp 'like the safety of a campsite ,we're a couple of fairdies
jubejube- Member
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Posts : 48
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Member Age : 74
Location : Kirkcaldy,Fife
Auto-Sleeper Model : Lancashire
Re: Leisure battery problem
I think your next step is to decide witch battery to buy cheap led acid ,mid priced lead carbon or lithium
I bought lead carbon,
I bought lead carbon,
Molly3- Member
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Posts : 613
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Location : Sheffield
Auto-Sleeper Model : Nuevo
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Re: Leisure battery problem
What's the benefit of Lead Carbon Molly? I just looked them up and they seem to range from £89 to about £500. I wonder why?
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gassygassy- Donator
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