Have you ever arrived at your camp site, set up then realized your battery is flat or not working?
We have some handy tips for you to ensure you never get caught out without power, which starts with checking your battery before your trip! Check them out below :
Inspect
Inspect for any physical damage to the battery. If the battery case is damaged or appears deformed, the battery may have been overcharged or has overheated.
Have a close look over the terminals, screws, clamps and cables for any damage or loose connections.
Clean
Clean off any dirt, dust or grime from the battery casing, including the top. A simple wipe over with a damp cloth may be all that is required. However, if the terminals are discoloured, give them a clean with a wire brush or scourer. Ensure the terminals are dry when refitting.
Clean the terminals and all associated bolts. Loose, dirty or corroded terminals do not make good contact and can cause problems with charging or supplying power to your van.
Powering up your Van
Do you have easy access to a 15 amp power point?
You may have your van stored where the closest power point is a standard household 10 amp point. Your RV requires a 15 amp power lead which has a larger ‘earth’ pin that cannot plug into a 10 amp power point.
The best way around this problem is with an AMP-FIBIAN adaptor.
An Amp-Fibian will allow a 15 amp extension lead to be used with a standard 10 amp power point. It has a circuit breaker and safety switch built in to protect against power overload and electrical faults.
This is the safest way to power up your RV at home and will also allow you to get your fridge going and check over the electrics before your next trip.
Charging the Battery
Once you have your Van powered up, your battery should be charging. If not please check the following:
Ensure your battery switch is on
Check that your battery management system/charger is plugged in and switched on (Items in the cupboards can sometimes knock the plug out)
The charge system light is on
The battery indicator (if fitted) is showing that the battery is charging – you may have an app on your smart phone or tablet for this.
Most charging systems can be left on for an extended period, however, you should always check your instruction booklet.
Charging the battery for 24-48 hours every 3-4 months will prolong the life of your battery considerably.
If you have a solar panel fitted to maintain battery charge and the panel is not receiving sunlight, the battery will not be receiving any charge.
Is your battery OK?
Powering up your RV will allow the battery management system to check the condition and charge of your battery.
A good battery charging system is quite complex. It will assess the condition of your battery and work through ‘algorithms’ to ensure your battery is properly charged.
You should replace your battery if:
The management system alerts you to a fault in the battery
The battery case is damaged or deformed in any way
The battery does not hold its charge/voltage for long
The battery is emitting a strong odour
Battery Types
There are several different types of batteries that can be fitted to caravans and many different sizes. A car battery is not suitable as they are often not a sealed unit and are designed to provide ‘cranking’ amps to start a vehicle. Lithium batteries are also becoming more popular now, although they are significantly more expensive.
REMEMBER – if you are thinking of adding a second battery, or already have two batteries and need to replace one – batteries joined together MUST be of the same amp rating, same construction and approximately the same age.
Don’t worry – we can guide you through the right size and type of battery that will best suit your requirements.
Solar
Now would be a great time to pull your RV out from under cover and give the solar panel a wipe clean to ensure maximum charge is delivered to your battery. Also check that the wiring and connections are in place and tight.