Can someone explain simply to me how to stop battery from running low when staying in van

mamajules

mamajules

Member
Hello, I'm sorry for this basic post. The last time we camped in our van for a couple of nights the battery of the van was flat (we were on EHU/solarfor things inside the van). Anyway I think I read on here a while back that because you sleep in the van - the van thinks its 'in use' as its unlocked etc and therefore the battery is still technically in use (but obviously the motor isn't running). Was I correct in this or have I mis-remembered? And therefore can someone simply explain to me what I should do so this doesnt happen ie do I need to lock the van but unset the van alarm? If so how do I do this please. I'm sorry if I haven't used the right words here and I'm a bit nervous about posting a message in case you think I'm asking a stupid question! But I'd be grateful for a friendly response, Jules x
 
Hello, maybe the main battery of the van is weak. Test it with a charger, do a full charge, then check the voltage. If the voltage drops quickly (for example, from 12.8V to 11.5V) by the next day, then your battery is likely worn out.


You can also test the battery during startup. Use a multimeter and start the engine—if the voltage drops significantly when you start the engine, then your battery is no longer in good condition.
 
Hi Jules,
not a stupid question. Every unlock triggers a few consumers in the car - without running the Van this can add up over a long weekend.

You can install a small charger to prevent it:

NOCO - 2A Direct-Mount Battery Charger and Maintainer - GENIUS2D

The GENIUS2D is a 2-amp direct-mount battery charger and battery maintainer for all types of 12-volt lead-acid batteries.
no.co no.co

Or use every other charger and plug it into the EHU.
 
When we camp we don’t do anything special to maintain the vehicle battery, we normally only camp for ~3 nights but in that time the keys don’t go into the ignition, the doors open and close, we rarely move the van but with the doors opening and closing (rarely the driver door) and the interior lights coming on but we’ve never had an issue. Is your battery ok?
 
SMS said:
Hello, maybe the main battery of the van is weak. Test it with a charger, do a full charge, then check the voltage. If the voltage drops quickly (for example, from 12.8V to 11.5V) by the next day, then your battery is likely worn out.


You can also test the battery during startup. Use a multimeter and start the engine—if the voltage drops significantly when you start the engine, then your battery is no longer in good condition.
Click to expand...
Hello thanks for replying xx - the battery was tested and is not weak (the AA person checked it all out for us and said it was in very good condition)
 
Frigo110 said:
Hi Jules,
not a stupid question. Every unlock triggers a few consumers in the car - without running the Van this can add up over a long weekend.

You can install a small charger to prevent it:

NOCO - 2A Direct-Mount Battery Charger and Maintainer - GENIUS2D

The GENIUS2D is a 2-amp direct-mount battery charger and battery maintainer for all types of 12-volt lead-acid batteries.
no.co no.co

Or use every other charger and plug it into the EHU.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much for this. So in basic terms does this 'caretake' my battery when I'm not running the engine? And do I just clip it on each time I'm say camping? Thank you xx
 
Last edited:
A quick and easy solution (and what we used to do) is buy something like a CTEK charger, which plugs into your mains sockets inside the van when you are hooked up. The CTEK then plugs into one of the cigarette sockets in the dash and it charges your starter battery.
 
cgtmiles said:
When we camp we don’t do anything special to maintain the vehicle battery, we normally only camp for ~3 nights but in that time the keys don’t go into the ignition, the doors open and close, we rarely move the van but with the doors opening and closing (rarely the driver door) and the interior lights coming on but we’ve never had an issue. Is your battery ok?
Click to expand...
mmm curious - yes battery is in v. good condition - so I'm a bit perplexed as do exactly as you do....I bet there's something very simple that I'm NOT doing/switching off! J x
 
Anakin said:
A quick and easy solution (and what we used to do) is buy something like a CTEK charger, which plugs into your mains sockets inside the van when you are hooked up. The CTEK then plugs into one of the cigarette sockets in the dash and it charges your starter battery.
Click to expand...
oooh interesting - I will google it - thanks for this (I'm wondering if this does the same kind of thing @Frigo110 suggested but obviously just kept inside on the dash & less scary than me randomly clipping wires under the bonnet :))
 
A free and easy way to reduce engine battery drain when camping is to switch off the auto door opening lights (via the push buttons in the roof centre console). Mine are off most of the year.
 
We do a combo of things from above. Courtesy lights at the front and in the back are turned and we tend not to switch on the ignition / stereo when camped (no need for them as we have a rechargeable stereo bluetooth speaker which works with phones/ipads for music and internet radio as well as acting as a 'soundbar' for decent TV audio. I also carry a small and cheap (IIRC about £16) Lidl 'smart' battery charger in the van and keep an eye on the voltage of the starter battery - if the charge starts to go down after a few days, I plug it into leisure 240V and 12V dash socket for a couple of hours and it's all sorted again. The other option, as recommended by @Drive Wayne s to fit an Ablemail AMT12-2 which will put a trickle charge into the starter battery from the leisure system - I've been contemplating one of those for ages but need a lot of reassurance that wiring it in is an easy DIY job for a simpleton like me.
 
www.eurocarparts.com

Streetwize Charge and Go-Car to Car Starter | Euro Car Parts

Streetwize Charge and Go-Car to Car Starter at the lowest UK prices from Euro Car Parts UK’s No.1 for Car Accessories, Car Styling & Car Care. Buy today Online, In store or by Phone + Branches Nationwide – Next Day UK Free Delivery.
www.eurocarparts.com www.eurocarparts.com

I went down the simple(ton) route with one of these. Never needed to use it so can’t comment on effectiveness.

I always lock the doors at night and turn off courtesy lights.

When touring we normally have a trip out every 3 or 4 days which keeps the battery charged.
 
I should also have said the I keep a charged Noco GBX75 jump starter in the van as well as a just in case. Never used it on any of my cars but it did bail somebody else out when we were in Italy last year. Belt and braces rule OK!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

O
Battery Voltage discharging to low but Battery Percentage staying at 100%.
Replies
0
Views
464
oliverbunyan
O
Reedy_T6.1
How often do I need to charge my lesuire battery?
Replies
2
Views
376
Reedy_T6.1
Reedy_T6.1
Leemondo12
Turning of items running on leisure battery
Replies
5
Views
585
Leemondo12
Leemondo12
Rioja John
Help cab battery not charging
Replies
3
Views
564
Rioja John
Rioja John
dandan88
CTEK charger profile
Replies
17
Views
999
roadtripper
roadtripper
Back
Top