Hello all, after my first outing over the weekend I encounter my first problem. I only stayed two nights but on the third morning when I tried to start the van the battery was completely flat. I was using a mains hook up, and have a split charging system installed and all the van electrics worked fine. The attending vw engineer told me it was the opening of the van doors and using the radio that causes the problem as they use far more power than you would think. He advised me to get a smart battery charger to plug into the diagnostic socket in the cab, powered by the 240v supply in the van, once hooked up to the mains. I have had a look online and in the forum, but can only find chargers that charge the leisure battery and not the vehicle battery? Can anyone explain what I need please. Rather a long winded first ever post, i'm sorry about that.
Is this a camper? Got a leisure battery fitted? Common issues with T6 battery going faulty on certain batteries, do a search on here.
Hello. Welcome to the forum.
As True Romance said, there are plenty of people reporting issues with their vehicle battery going flat - usually a Moll branded battery is the culprit, with them being changed for Varta under the vans three-year warranty.
A leisure battery charger and a van battery charger are nigh on the same thing - the charger is usually installed (alongside the smart charger (or a split charger if you’ve got an older van without Bluemotion) beside the leisure battery and can charge both batteries if needed.
Have a look on the TravelVolts site - I bought a Victron from Martyn and it is hard-wired to charge my leisure battery but can be switched to charge the van battery.
What are you using as your split-charger?
My set up from CMC doesn’t charge the van battery from solar or EHU, only the leisure battery so I bought a CTEK charger for stop-Start engines which I use if not moving the van for a while eg when at home as we don’t use it as a day van. Sometimes it might not move for a few weeks.
The charger plugs into a mains socket in the van when on EHU and with an adapter plugs into the permanent live cigarette lighter socket on top of our dashboard (we have a Highline). That trickle charges the van battery. I can turn it off after a day, leave it off for a few days and pop it back on.
Can be bought in a number of places including Halfords etc.
Works a treat and will probably carry it with us when we travel.
The charger plugs into a mains socket in the van when on EHU and with an adapter plugs into the permanent live cigarette lighter socket on top of our dashboard (we have a Highline). That trickle charges the van battery. I can turn it off after a day, leave it off for a few days and pop it back on.
Can be bought in a number of places including Halfords etc.
Works a treat and will probably carry it with us when we travel.
Thanks for your prompt reply. Yes it does have a leisure battery. I will try your link.
Thanks for your prompt reply, I will check out CTEK charger
Thanks for the prompt reply. The van is using a Sargent EC155 power control system. I will check out your link. I haven't got access to the van at this moment but will check out the charger/split charger later today.
CCTEK charger:
CT5 START/STOP
CTEK adapter:
CTX INDICATOR PLUG 12V
You will need to check you have a permanent live socket. Easily done using a USB adapter and you phone to see if it charges with the ignition off.
CT5 START/STOP
CTEK adapter:
CTX INDICATOR PLUG 12V
You will need to check you have a permanent live socket. Easily done using a USB adapter and you phone to see if it charges with the ignition off.
Hello again, the van is using a sterling charger.Thanks for the prompt reply. The van is using a Sargent EC155 power control system. I will check out your link. I haven't got access to the van at this moment but will check out the charger/split charger later today.
Hi Ho Silver
New Member
Hi,
You don't mention the year of your van, but early 2017 Transporters are known by VW to have had a fault with the Batteries, we had the same issue with ours, constantly on hook-up every other day, this is known to VW and should of been notified to owners, but for some unknown reason VW chose not to , we finally got them to look at it and they have now replaced the battery under warranty. I hope this helps, our van has been fine ever since.
regards
Sharon
Thanks for the prompt reply, I will check later today when I will have access to the van
Thanks for the info, my van is a 67 reg, so I will check with vw
hers a version from victron
Automotive IP65 Charger - Victron Energy
https://www.travelvolts.net/shop-2 (@travelvolts )
https://www.travelvolts.net/product-page/victron-ip-65-12-7
you can plug it into the 12V socket or hardwariede to battery, OBD2 plug is also an option
Automotive IP65 Charger - Victron Energy
https://www.travelvolts.net/shop-2 (@travelvolts )
https://www.travelvolts.net/product-page/victron-ip-65-12-7
you can plug it into the 12V socket or hardwariede to battery, OBD2 plug is also an option
Thanks for the info, i'll check it out
Is the Victron ok to use with the stop/start system on my van. I can't see it in the downloads pdf?Thanks for the info, i'll check it out
Hello again, what model is your victory charger please.
I've got one of these.
Blue Smart IP65 Charger (120V and 230V) - Victron Energy
And a CTEK 5amp.
And a NOCO 15amp
.
Blue Smart IP65 Charger (120V and 230V) - Victron Energy
And a CTEK 5amp.
And a NOCO 15amp
.
Thanks again for your help
VICTRON IP 65 12/7 Bluesmart
Check with Martyn @travelvolts before you buy in case there’s a new model out.
Thanks again for your help
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