Leisure Battery Woes

[Andpopse]

Only had my Van a week and I think the leisure battery is faulty. Left it on EHU for 24 hours and it read 12.8v at 8pm. At 8 am the next day it was 11.9v. Been out driving for a couple of hours and it hasn’t risen from that.
Nothing was left on during of after EHU by the way. Whilst it’s a new Van it has been at dealership for approx 6-8 months.
Am I correct to think it’s faulty ?

 

[Dellmassive]

Post some pics of your setup.

 

[Andpopse]

It’s a standard Platinum Wave campers set up with a Sargent 700 and a Dc -Dc unit on a heat sink. I just think the battery isn’t holding charge.

 

[Pete C]

How old is the leisure battery ?
Even a partially knackered one will rise in voltage if it's being charged as you drive.
What model is the DC-DC charger ?

Pete

 

[Dellmassive]

Got a few pics of the setup?

 

[Andpopse]

Victron Orion Dc -Dc. I will get better photos tomorrow

 

[Andpopse]

The battery is probably 9-10 months, but may have been neglected at dealer.

 

[Pete C]

I have seen that picture before. You're the person with the DC-DC charger that was hot several hours after a drive ?

Pete

 

[Dellmassive]

We've seen this van before.....?

@Deaky ?

 

[Andpopse]

Yes I posted asking what the Dc -Dc was as it was hot. I’m new to all this and have much to learn.

 

[Deaky]

I tried to help

 

[Salty Spuds]

Victron Orion Dc -Dc. I will get better photos tomorrow View attachment 175420View attachment 175421

Deja-vu

 

[Pete C]

The problem diagnosing remotely is that it could be any number of things causing the issue.
Try this - measure the leisure battery voltage, then start the engine, leave it idling, and measure it again.
Post the 2 numbers here.

Pete

 

[Salty Spuds]

It’s a standard Platinum Wave campers set up with a Sargent 700 and a Dc -Dc unit on a heat sink. I just think the battery isn’t holding charge.

If it’s a new van, take it back to the dealer.

 

[Gàirnealair]

The problem diagnosing remotely is that it could be any number of things causing the issue.
Try this - measure the leisure battery voltage, then start the engine, leave it idling, and measure it again.
Post the 2 numbers here.

Pete

Had similar problems with a 12-month old T6.1 conversion - suspect the previous owner abused the battery and in the end I bought a new one rationalising that if I was the only user of the new battery I'd know how it had been looked after.

Re: Pete's advice - wait a couple or three minutes after you turn off the engine before you take the second reading for the voltage/charge level to settle.

 

[DXX]

There are many discussions on this Forum regarding degraded leisure batteries. Have a Search
While you may read the correct voltage it does not follow that the battery will take a load.
If you don’t have a battery load tester go to a battery specialist and request a test, they may even do it for ’free’.
If you do replace the battery remember that it has a scrap value of approx’ £20.

 

[Pete C]

Re: Pete's advice - wait a couple or three minutes after you turn off the engine before you take the second reading for the voltage/charge level to settle.

I actually want to know the voltage when the charger is working ie when the engine is running.

Pete

 

[Gàirnealair]

I actually want to know the voltage when the charger is working ie when the engine is running.

Oh, sorry, misunderstood.
I was only thinking just about whether the battery had taken a charge and was maintaining it, or if there was something parasitic quietly draining it when parked up.

 

[Pete C]

To be fair, @Deaky ’s suggestion on the other thread of connecting the Victron app to the device is the best option.

Pete

 

[Deaky]

The app will tell you the starter voltage and the charging voltage. If your charger is warm after 5 hours of not driving then it’s possible that your charger is not configured correctly and is not detecting engine shut down. If this is the case you might end up with a flat starter battery.