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dubbs
Member Since: 18 Apr 2012
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 3626
  
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Chaps - my first visit to a site with no EHU.
As I've never really checked or tested the battery how do I do so to ensure everything works prior to leaving? The obvious suggestion is to simply press battery on the control panel and then check what works and what doesn't. However I'm more interested in how I ensure the battery has enough juice for us to stay 2days and nights in a field!! 
Thoughts and advice? I have to confess I don't even know how many amps the battery is (I believe the more Amp/h the better? 75/90/110 or something?) MY15 DIY Black Pack (Better than factory and half the price!)
Prospeed rock/tree sliders w/steps
HSE Winter wheels
TransK9 B24
Travall Cargo Guard
Hatchbag
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 12th May 2014 12:32 pm |
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mcsimmo
Member Since: 08 Aug 2011
Location: North of the south
Posts: 1795
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If your battery was fully charged when you arrived and its in good order, you should have no problems as all you will be running are the 12v appliances.
You'll be running the fridge off gas, and if you use gas to cook with and heat your water you'll be fine. A kettle is a big electric drain, so use gas as well.
I have a small solar trickle charger that I use on non EHU sites. All it does is small trickle charge, but keeps the battery nicely topped up.
If your towing electrics are set up properly then you should be charging the battery when you are towing the tin tent. Man with no D3 anymore, but cant leave the forum....how sad.
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| 12th May 2014 12:59 pm |
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dubbs
Member Since: 18 Apr 2012
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 3626
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So -
To do
battery health check
How do I check I'm properly charging the battery with my car plugged in
Need to test fridge on gas
Sounds about all?
Thanks  MY15 DIY Black Pack (Better than factory and half the price!)
Prospeed rock/tree sliders w/steps
HSE Winter wheels
TransK9 B24
Travall Cargo Guard
Hatchbag
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| 12th May 2014 1:05 pm |
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sputnixb51
Member Since: 23 Apr 2013
Location: Morayshire
Posts: 833
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As above 85 & 110 are the usual leisure battery sizes,solar panel is definitely an advantage use truma blow as little as possible the fan is 12volt and a constant drain the gas should throw out enough heat on a cold night without it.for longer stays have a second battery and keep one charged as you drive around during the day either off your S socket or a split charge on board system.
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| 12th May 2014 1:20 pm |
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maplecottage
Member Since: 01 Feb 2011
Location: Norfolk
Posts: 3171
 
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2 other tips to add to your list.
1. The radio / stereo system will draw more power than you think as will a 12v TV
2. Switch off any lights not being used - it's surprising how a few extra here and there can be a real drain on your battery.
Once you get more and more comfortable with being 'off the grid' - why not install a roof mounted 80W solar panel. It's an easy job and not very expensive these days.
Example
http://www.trueshopping.co.uk/product/Biar...70672.html
Steve
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| 12th May 2014 1:42 pm |
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Pelyma
Member Since: 06 Jan 2005
Location: Patching, Sussex
Posts: 15496
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Make sure you don't use the spot/reading lights that most vans have. I've stayed 10 days on 2 110AH batteries with 2 kids at Easter with no charging at all. DS3 TDV6 HSE - Silver with Alpaca (old one) Gone
DS3 TDV6 HSE- Silver with Alpaca (new one) Gone
D4 HSE Lux - Montalcino Red Gone
Porsche Cayenne V8 Diesel S
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| 12th May 2014 1:47 pm |
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D4mation
Member Since: 29 Jul 2011
Location: Ruralshire
Posts: 593
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It will help if you can monitor the battery if you have a volt meter or battery status indicator in the van, otherwise check with a multimeter, or a cheap Chinese cigarette lighter voltmeter.
A fully charged battery is normally over 12.7 volts, but even at 12.0 volts it's down to 50% charge and below this you risk doing long term damage to it.
http://www.rvtechlibrary.com/battery/bat_volts.htm
For the future you might want to investigate suitcase type solar panels, but far better to get a roof mounted one cos they're more difficult to nick  MY12 D4 HSE Ipanema Sand
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| 12th May 2014 5:23 pm |
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John P
Member Since: 12 Aug 2011
Location: West Sussex
Posts: 1275
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I've got one of these for when we're parked up for 2 or more days to recharge my auxiliary battery. I run a 12v fridge.
http://www.photonicuniverse.com/en/catalog...ystem.html
Cheers
John
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| 12th May 2014 5:27 pm |
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D4mation
Member Since: 29 Jul 2011
Location: Ruralshire
Posts: 593
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dubbs wrote:
How do I check I'm properly charging the battery with my car plugged in
Best way is to check the voltage on the van's battery with the engine running - should be showing about 13.5 volts. MY12 D4 HSE Ipanema Sand
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| 12th May 2014 5:31 pm |
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dubbs
Member Since: 18 Apr 2012
Location: Gloucestershire
Posts: 3626
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Thanks all! MY15 DIY Black Pack (Better than factory and half the price!)
Prospeed rock/tree sliders w/steps
HSE Winter wheels
TransK9 B24
Travall Cargo Guard
Hatchbag
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| 13th May 2014 11:07 pm |
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