Leisuredrive Vivante Flat Engine Battery

[Jetty]

Tried to give the van (2016 T6) a weekly runout but have a flat battery (reading 11.4). Sorry if this sounds naive but will connecting the EHU help or do I need a jump start.

Thanks

 

[Deaky]

Jump start. It’s unlikely your starter battery will be charged by your leisure system

 

[CAB]

Nothing fancy about the charging on a Leisuredrive, so won't charge the starter on EHU.

I would recomend reading @Dellmassive 's threads, especially

Battery Monitoring -- How I Done It --

Battery Monitoring -- How I Done It -- Part #1 Battery monitoring is a very important part of your 12v system . . . . whether its just the vans starter battery or your leisure setup keeping an eye on the power in your battery bank will keep you from breaking down and make sure your weekends...

www.t6forum.com

I have the USB voltage reader, and graduated to a BM2 bluetooth voltage monitor. I use a CTEK MXS 5.0 every couple of weeks during the winter when it gets used less often; plug in the EHU, plug the CTEK between the mains socket and the dash 12v socket, and leave for 24 hours.

 

[Dellmassive]

As above.

To need to get a smart charger fitted....

To charge weekly or monthly is the van does short journeys.

Or layed up for weeks.

 

[Dellmassive]

More info...

Dellmassive’s "How I Done It" blogs.

-- Dellmassive`s -- "How I Done It" -- thread -- ************************************************** Dellmassive`s -- "how I Done It" -- Thread ************************************************** Kit List And Stuff -- How I Done It & What I Use --...

www.t6forum.com

.

 

[Jetty]

Thanks for your help. I am a bit mystified. In the afternoon three hours on EHU both batteries were reading about 12.5 (up from about 11.4). The van started and I gave it a 40 mile run. The readings were then marginally down. I left it on EHU overnight and both now read about 12.8.

Could I have some sort of trickle device already installed ? (got the van 2nd hand last November) and if so how can I tell? Sorry to appear a bit stupid.

Thanks again

 

[Dellmassive]

post some pics of all you kit and setup,

including pics of the batteries and whatever else . . .

well take a look.

 

[CAB]

The 240v battery charger will be in your bottom cupboard under the fridge, next to the consumer unit. Should be a black thing, a PB10.

I think the Split relay (for charging from the engine alternator when driving) is under the rear driver side seat, that's where the 12v fuses are.

 

[CAB]

I did note that last time I plugged mine in on a campsite, I looked at the BM2 battery traces for each battery, and both were the same voltage, i.e. the starter and leisure both appeared to be the same.

So does this mean the split charge relay works the other way as well? i.e. when the leisure is being charged above the limiting voltage, the starter gets a charge as well?

 

[Deaky]

So does this mean the split charge relay works the other way as well? i.e. when the leisure is being charged above the limiting voltage, the starter gets a charge as well?

Yes, some split charge relays will close when they sense the required voltage on either side.

 

[Jetty]

Just an update and thanks again for the above comments.

Derek at Leisuredrive confirmed that the EHU charges both batteries (as does giving the van a good drive). Just been away and both continue to show the same reading. When we got back after 4 nights (and using EHU on sites) both read just over 13 and just now (with on EHU) about 12.5 . Derek suggested that both batteries seemed healthy enough at that.