Leisure Battery Critically Low is this normal Forums

TravelBug

Hi, our AutoTrail Scout 2008 which we've had for about 6 weeks has been standing on the yard for three weeks, we've not used it in this time and it's not been hooked up to the electric due to the fact it's not in its normal parking space.

We went in today to get it ready for a our trip to Bala next week and went to use the panel on battery, when we switched it on it started beeping and flashing and saying 'warning, leisure battery critically low 1.1v'

We have now managed to work out how to get electric to the MH via a hook up but the cable is right across the farm yard so can't stay there for very long. We think (hope) this will recharge the battery. The main battery is okay and we have a battery master fitted courtesy of vanbitz when we had the alarm installed.

Is it normal for the leisure battery to run down like this if it has been standing without use for three weeks? What happens it if totally runs down?

Thanks, TravelBug

G2EWS

Hi Travelbug,

Not it is not normal!

Your alarm will have drained the battery, but more than likely it was not charged properly when you took delivery.

I suggest you make sure you can fully charge it before you go away, or have electric hook up to get it charged up properly.

Depending on the battery, check the levels. (it may be sealed in which case this will not be necessary)

Only after it has been fully charged will you get some idea of how much it is discharging.

Regards

Chris

TravelBug

Ok. We have already been away in it for 5 days on electric hook up, should that have fully charged the batter? That was the last time we went away which was on the 19th May I think.

Does the alarm run off the leisure battery?

We have been trying to work out what could possibly be draining it as we made sure everything was turned off. How long does it need to fully re charge the batter? As soon as we plugged in the mains it said the leisure battery was 11.3 volts or something like that and was in good condition. This seemed a bit bizarre as it was only 2 minutes before it was in critical condition.

One other strange thing that was when we plugged in the electric hook up the stereo in the cab came on. We've now taken the cover off this to ensure it doesn't happen again.

Thanks for the reply.

Broom · Last edited by Broom on Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:31 am; edited 1 time in total

Hi Claire

Have you checked every thing is turned off, the 2 switches for the camera and TV, fridge, lights, Panel above the door.

Should last for 3 weeks mine does.

Best regards
Broom

safariboy

After 5 days on EHU the battery should be fully charged.
If it has been very flat it might be "Sulpahated" and worthless. This would show up by the battery voltage rising very quickly and also draining veery quickly.
To find out take the battery out, charge it fully, test the voltage -should be about 13.8V put it back and see if it will light a lamp for an hour or so. If not it will need replacing.
The alternative is that something is on without you knowing it. The radio amplifier is a possible candidate but that is normally the engine battery.
If you can put an ammeter in the earth lead and measure the total battery drain. Should be only a few mA on the leisure battery.
Then try Autotrails but there is no point unless you are sure that the leisure battery is charged.

TravelBug

As far as we konw everything is turned off. We will double check tomorrow to make sure. We've been in and out over the last few days and haven't noticed anything on. The fridge etc are turned off and the doors left open.

Was the fact that as soon as we plugged the MH into the electric the leisure battery showed it was 'good' as they put it unusual or should that happen?

If we weren't going away on Monday we'd take it over to the dealer but we will monitor the situation and as we're on electric hook up next week hopefully it won't be a problem.

If the battery ran totally down what sort of problems would that cause? Thanks

safariboy

The battery will deteriorate when not fully charged for more than a few days.(This is the sulphation)
The electronics will not be powered by the correct voltage. This can blow a fuse when the charger produces too much current (Unlikely with a modern system)
Is engine/habitation switch set to habitation?
11.3V is not correct for a battery in good condition (should be 13 - 13.8V when not on charge)
I am not sure what "good condition" means.
Sorry not to be more help.

TravelBug

Hi, thanks for all the replies. Re

sallytrafic · Southern Rally Co-ordinator

Could you have misread the 1.1 on your first post when in fact it was 11 or 11.1 I would regard 11 (or 11.1) as critical low see attachment whereas 11.3 is coming out of that.

Penquin

Comments above all good and valid, our leisure battery kept going dead, we had been leaving it plu