Battery help for Dummies needed

[CamperCaz]

Hello Peeps,

I have this panel in my campervan, the switch for the battery has two settings, see photo, CAR (top) and VAN (bottom). Is it correct that the VAN means the vehicle battery and the CAR means the (caravan) leisure battery. Why don't they make this clear.

Can I charge them from mains, and if so do I need to do this if the needle points to green (as it does at the moment). Do I need to give it a quick top-up for the winter at all.

 

[Ads_Essex]

I have this panel in my campervan, the switch for the battery has two settings, see photo, CAR (top) and VAN (bottom).
Is it correct that the VAN means the vehicle battery and the CAR means the (caravan) leisure battery.


View attachment 268341

I don’t have that unit, but I would imagine Car means the Vehicle Starter Battery and Van means the Leisure Battery. Car meaning car and Van being Caravan, is where I think they are with the labels.

Does it have a name anywhere on it that would help find an online manual?

Can I charge them from mains, and if so do I need to do this if the needle points to green (as it does at the moment). Do I need to give it a quick top-up for the winter at all.

Generally, if a 240v charger was fitted, then charging should be straightforward, is recommended when not in use, and more so before / during / after cold snaps.

 

[CamperCaz]

I don’t have that unit, but I would imagine Car means the Vehicle Starter Battery and Van means the Leisure Battery. Car meaning car and Van being Caravan, is where I think they are with the labels.

Does it have a name anywhere on it that would help find an online manual?



Generally, if a 240v charger was fitted, then charging should be straightforward, is recommended when not in use, and more so before / during / after cold snaps.

Thank you Ads-Essex, I can't find a manual for that, but I will put it on charge for a while ready for winter

 

[Ads_Essex]

Post up a photo of the entire unit, and any chargers you have, as someone here will recognise it

 

[CamperCaz]

Here is the full panel, maybe there is no leisure battery, maybe just one which supplies the Van, and it switches to Leisure, but I don't know............

 

[Howzat]

That panel suggests you can pull power from the 'van' or 'car' battery or switch to off.
What does the meter show if switched to car?
Do the camper lights work when switched to either and do they go off when switched to 0?

 

[TrevorK]

CP3 Power Distribution Control Panel with Optional Silver Surround

CP3 power distribution control panel with battery condition monitor. Allows power to be taken from either vehicle or leisure battery

clearcutconversions.co.uk

Still available on line, description suggests as above.

 

[CamperCaz]

That panel suggests you can pull power from the 'van' or 'car' battery or switch to off.
What does the meter show if switched to car?
Do the camper lights work when switched to either and do they go off when switched to 0?

If switched to CAR the needle is still in the green area but not quite as high as when switched to VAN. I have just been out to try it and if the LIGHTS switch (on the panel) is ON then the campervan interior lights will come on whether switched to VAN or CAR.

But I still don't understand what the difference between VAN and CAR are there two batteries

 

[CamperCaz]

CP3 Power Distribution Control Panel with Optional Silver Surround

CP3 power distribution control panel with battery condition monitor. Allows power to be taken from either vehicle or leisure battery

clearcutconversions.co.uk

Still available on line, description suggests as above.

OH Thanks TrevorK, this means there is a leisure battery as well, so it must switch between them

Does VAN = VAN .....and CAR = CARAVAN or is it the other way round

 

[CAB]

It's a Leisuredrive.

CAR = the vehicle starter battery.

You would normally not use this, only if you have flattened the Leisure battery.

VAN = Leisure battery, under the seats somewhere.

This is what you should normally have switched on, all your habitation lights, pump etc should run from the Leisure.

The mains 240v battery charger will ONLY charge the Leisure battery.

The Leisure battery will also charge from the Split Charge Relay when driving.

 

[CAB]

Now, this is what I do.

1. Get two BM2 battery monitors

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Battery-Monitor-Campervans-Compatible-bluetooth/dp/B08VHMJYXY/

One on each battery. Gives you a much better indicator of the state of the batteries.

2. Get a CTEK MXS 5.0 or similar smart charger with a 12v socket adapter.

MXS 5.0 UK

56-975

www.ctek.com

- Plug it into the van 240v socket,
- plug it into the dash 12v socket,
- plug the van into the mains,
- switch on the socket, and the CTEK turns itself on,
- and TURN OFF the Leisuredrive mains battery charger. (this should be in the 240v circuit breaker panel).

The Vehicle starter battery (CAR) will be charged, but the Split Relay will also charge the Leisure battery (VAN), effectively treating them as one.

You don't need the control panel on but you can check that both the batteries are charging, the needle should be well into the green.

If you don't drive the van for a couple of weeks then use the CTEK. We use it every couple of weeks through the winter if we are not away in the van.

Finally, turn off the switch (centre position) when not in use.

And remember to switch the Leisuredrive mains battery charger back on before you next go to a campsite!

 

[CAB]

Basically what I am trying to say is,

The Leisure battery (VAN) is probably fine not being charged, but charging it will extend it's life;

The vehicle battery (CAR) will have low current drains (alarms etc.) and can run low if not used for a few weeks.

 

[CAB]

The CTEK in action

 

[CamperCaz]

Thank you CAB for all that information, I was thinking that VAN = VAN and CAR = CARAVAN ..........(that thinking got me nowhere in the Vivante World of Batteries) so now I know to keep it on VAN, yes I did notice that CAR was lower than VAN but still in green. It was good of you to post about the CTEK it does look very useful I may get one.

I'll have a look for the leisure battery, yes it may be under a seat somewhere.......thank you very much for the help

 

[CAB]

Thank you CAB for all that information, I was thinking that VAN = VAN and CAR = CARAVAN ..........(that thinking got me nowhere in the Vivante World of Batteries) so now I know to keep it on VAN, yes I did notice that CAR was lower than VAN but still in green. It was good of you to post about the CTEK it does look very useful I may get one.

I'll have a look for the leisure battery, yes it may be under a seat somewhere.......thank you very much for the help

If you have a Vivante, it will likely be under the rear driver side passenger / bench seat (whichever seat you have)

 

[whodat]

Check your starter battery - if you have start/stop, then you have an AGM battery. Best put the mode to car/AGM on your CTEK for the SB.

 

[ginkster]

Check your starter battery - if you have start/stop, then you have an AGM battery. Best put the mode to car/AGM on your CTEK for the SB.

Not necessarily true, mine came with an EFB as standard. Will say clearly on the battery though either way.

 

[whodat]

Cheers - VW pushing the boat out again.

 

[Drive Wayne]

Not necessarily true, mine came with an EFB as standard. Will say clearly on the battery though either way.

My original 6.1 battery was an EFB too, same charging regime as AGM though rumour has it?

 

[CamperCaz]

Check your starter battery - if you have start/stop, then you have an AGM battery. Best put the mode to car/AGM on your CTEK for the SB.