Is my starter battery knackered?

[kc22]

Hi all-

I've had issues (and am still having) with battery drain on my 2021 T6.1 Transporter. I was trying to work out if there was a drain from the tracker & alarm but I also suspect the battery might just be dead and need replacing. I'm after some sage advice from the forum to help!!

I'm sharing the voltage charge that the Starline alarm system provides. Since I've had it, the battery only last 2/3 days before needing starting-up. I've resorted to plugging the thing into my mains and charging the starter via my EC155 power supply unit.

Also, my theory was the alarm/tracker draining the starter given how many wires are connected to the positive terminal; is this normal or is the wiring setup not right?

Thanks in advance!

Van loadout:

• Tracker: Scorpiontrack (VTS-S5 Tracking System)
• Alarm: Starline (S9 System with Sensors)
• Leisure Battery: Hankook 12V DC27MF battery
• Solar Panel: PV Logic Charge Controller
• Electric Hookup: Sargent EC155 Power Supply Unit
• Batter to Battery Charger: Sterling Power DC Charger

 

[Pauly]

Looking at that chart the battery never appears to be fully charged

I would expect to see it well above 12.0V after a full charge and stay there for a while, it looks like its dropping below 12v as soon as you disconnect the charger ?
have you left the charger connected for a long enough period to make sure its fully charged ?
What charger are you using ?

 

[kc22]

At best it's held charge about 12.4-12.2 for a few days before dropping below 12v. I've barely used the van over the past few months so that is clearly making it worse. I gave it a good drive today and it's around 12.2 but I expect it will drop tomorrow again.

Charger is the normal EHU but with am adapter for a 3-pin socket.

 

[CAB]

The Tracker may not be providing an accurate voltage.

However.

Your EHU is not charging your starter battery. It should be going above 13/14v for a good few hours.

Most camper van EHU systems do not charge the starter, they only charge the Leisure battery.

I use a CTEK MXS 5. I turn on the EHU, plug it into the 240v 3-pin plug in the back of the van, and plug the charger into the 12v dash lower socket.

5 amps (the CTEK output) takes around 12 hours to fully complete a charging cycle on my starter, after it has been stood for a fortnight.

If your battery is really down below 11v it's knackered.

 

[kc22]

The Tracker may not be providing an accurate voltage.

However.

Your EHU is not charging your starter battery. It should be going above 13/14v for a good few hours.

Most camper van EHU systems do not charge the starter, they only charge the Leisure battery.

I use a CTEK MXS 5. I turn on the EHU, plug it into the 240v 3-pin plug in the back of the van, and plug the charger into the 12v dash lower socket.

5 amps (the CTEK output) takes around 12 hours to fully complete a charging cycle on my starter, after it has been stood for a fortnight.

If your battery is really down below 11v it's knackered.

Ah that's a good idea. The EHU seems to trickle up the starter battery but it never goes above 13.3v. As soon as I unplug it, it discharges down to 12.2v within a few hours.