Battery goes flat within 5 days

[4 Wheels on My Wagon]

I have a 2019 T6 camper van with solar panel. The engine battery has a permanent minor load (van computer, clock tracker etc) which is well within limits according to the local VW van centre. The battery goes flat after aboiut 4 to 5 days. The van centre say that the battery is fine and does not need replacing. Any thoughts?

 

[DXX]

I have a 2019 T6 camper van with solar panel. The engine battery has a permanent minor load (van computer, clock tracker etc) which is well within limits according to the local VW van centre. The battery goes flat after aboiut 4 to 5 days. The van centre say that the battery is fine and does not need replacing. Any thoughts?

I guess you have a few options as longer as any modifications haven’t been done which would affect the battery.
1.The van is under VW warranty, call VW Assist next time it’s discharged. They will attend and probably replace the battery if needed.
2. Get it tested by an independent battery specialist, based on the outcome take that information back to the VW Van Centre.
3. Contact VW Customer Services and make a complaint.

 

[Pete C]

Have you been able to measure the load on the battery ?

Pete

 

[4 Wheels on My Wagon]

I guess you have a few options as longer as any modifications haven’t been done which would affect the battery.
1.The van is under VW warranty, call VW Assist next time it’s discharged. They will attend and probably replace the battery if needed.
2. Get it tested by an independent battery specialist, based on the outcome take that information back to the VW Van Centre.
3. Contact VW Customer Services and make a complaint.

Thank you for your reply,. Very helpful

Have you been able to measure the load on the battery ?

Pete

The local and very helpful VW van centre have twice checked the standing load and have said that it is within limits.

 

[Big.mac]

You said you have a solar panel. How big is it and how is it connected? You should be able to get enough charge for a decent sized solar panel to keep your main battery properly charged. Do you have a leisure battery and if so how is that connected?

If you can give us some more info on the overall setup we should be able to help

 

[BigDean]

I have a 2019 T6 camper van with solar panel. The engine battery has a permanent minor load (van computer, clock tracker etc) which is well within limits according to the local VW van centre. The battery goes flat after aboiut 4 to 5 days. The van centre say that the battery is fine and does not need replacing. Any thoughts?

I have 2021 T6.1. Same problem. Same response from VW. Shockingly s@&t in my opinion but apparently we have to learn to live with it

 

[4 Wheels on My Wagon]

Have you been able to measure the load on the battery ?

Pete

I don't know the limits but according to the VW Van Centre the standing loads on the battery are within limits. I have had it checked twice by them.

You said you have a solar panel. How big is it and how is it connected? You should be able to get enough charge for a decent sized solar panel to keep your main battery properly charged. Do you have a leisure battery and if so how is that connected?

If you can give us some more info on the overall setup we should be able to help

Not sure of the size. The panel charges the domestic batteries and not the engine battery. I understand that the solar panel runs on a small trickle charge from the engine battery but according to th VW centre the permanent loads are within limits. The main battery also charges the domestic ones but only when the engine is running.The VW centre says that you will have to run the van weekly or more to avoid a flat battery. Odd!

I have 2021 T6.1. Same problem. Same response from VW. Shockingly s@&t in my opinion but apparently we have to learn to live with it

Perhaps with this problem the van becomes unreliable and therefore not fit for purpose.

 

[GeekGrimmy]

What is the make and model of the battery?

Bought my 2020 T6.1 in october last year at 6 months old from VW used/approved and it came with a third party battery and needed jumping every week it wasn't used. As suggested, ring vw breakdown and they will test it there and then. If its the actual VW engineer and not an AA guy they should have a battery on board and replace it.

Unless the battery is showing signs of failure while the dealership has it, its not something they look at apparently as part of theri used/approved checks.

 

[Pete C]

It doesn't have to be that bad. Our van goes 4 weeks easily, and the battery is nearly 5 years old.

Pete

 

[DXX]

The local and very helpful VW van centre have twice checked the standing load and have said that it is within limits.

If you go back to the same workshop they are going to give you the same diagnosis.
IMO call VW Assist.

 

[oldiebut goodie]

Mine lasted 3 weeks with a tracker - adding the trickle from the solar sorted that problem though, are you sure that the trickle charge is actually working?

 

[Big.mac]

Not sure of the size. The panel charges the domestic batteries and not the engine battery. I understand that the solar panel runs on a small trickle charge from the engine battery but according to th VW centre the permanent loads are within limits. The main battery also charges the domestic ones but only when the engine is running.The VW centre says that you will have to run the van weekly or more to avoid a flat battery. Odd!

If you can find the electronics that control your solar and do the leisure battery charging from the main battery and take some pictures we may be able to advise a little further. As an example, I have a 180Watt panel fitted to my roof. It is connected to the DC-DC charger (the one that charges the leisure battery from the main battery). When the van is turned off, the solar charges the leisure, when that is full, it charges the main battery and then trickle charges both. My fridge is in the van and runs permanently. Neither of my batteries ever goes flat.

 

[Troj]

I have the same issue - 4 or 5 days standing and it struggles to start (3-4 days over the winter). Had it into VW last week for it's first MOT, they checked the battery, said it was fine and charged it over overnight. To be fair, it does seem better (well, the start/stop is working at least) - so will have to see how it goes...

 

[oldiebut goodie]

"I understand that the solar panel runs on a small trickle charge from the engine battery but according to the VW centre the permanent loads are within limits."

Just re-read this, this is a*se about face! The solar should charge the starter battery.

 

[Phil_G]

"within limits" is meaningless, you need to measure it
On a conversion there could be several feeds taken from the battery pos, you need to measure each individually.
The Van Centre may have only measured 'their' VW feed, ignoring the ancillaries that aren't their concern

 

[Pauly]

Would be interesting to know what those limits are ??
I have been through this in the past with my local battery centre when investigating battery issues on a work van and it was suggested then that standby draw on a vehicle should be below 0.1A ie 0.0xx, after the vehicle has been locked and left to settle/shutdown for a couple minutes