Steve_nuk Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 Over the winter my motorhome lives outside the house. I have connected to the mains for about 8 hours, maybe once a week to keep the leisure battery charged. The other day I connected the van, but also ran the heater on low for about 8 hours. When I disconnected, the leisure battery was incredibly hot, part of it too hot to put my hand onto it. Even when disconnected it remained 'burning' hot for a couple of hours. Obviously I'm concerned. I have removed the battery. I did notice a few weeks ago, there was no charge when I tried to use the 12v lights. This has happened twice. It seemed to loose all charge having been okay a day or so previously. Can anyone advise me? Is the battery faulty, it is only 18 months old. Could it be the fact that I had the heater on for a while, however this wouldn't be unusual when we winter camp. Or is there another explanation. I am planning to replace the battery, but hoped someone may be able to advise me before I do, especially if the issue isn't the battery. Thanks, Steve N Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 It's probably the battery faulty going by previous threads about that type of fault. Having the heating on will just be a coincidence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_nuk Posted February 6, 2017 Author Share Posted February 6, 2017 Charles, many thanks. I'm quite new to motorhoming and looking for reassurance before I spend out on a new battery. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aandncaravan Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 Can we more information about the battery please, as it may be relevant, make size, etc? Some of the budgets only have short lives so 18 months isn't unusual. However, did you check the control panel voltage? It should have been between 13.5 and 14.4v? Any higher than 14.4v might indicate an over Charge issue? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QFour Posted February 6, 2017 Share Posted February 6, 2017 It could also depend on how it's been used. If you have run it down below 50% of it's capacity on a regular basis it may never recover. You could try taking it in and getting it checked at one of the many battery suppliers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_nuk Posted February 7, 2017 Author Share Posted February 7, 2017 The current battery is a Powerpack 110. It is 18 months old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Are you sure it’s a “Power Pack” battery, not a “Power Station” one? There appear to be two 'Power Station' products - a leisure/caravan battery http://www.countybattery.co.uk/caravan-boat/powerstation-6110-caravan-battery-110amp/ or a dual-purpose one https://www.batterycharged.co.uk/shield-mf31-110-powerstation-1241763.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted February 7, 2017 Share Posted February 7, 2017 Or could well be a 'Powerpack'... http://www.plymouthbatterycentre.co.uk/batteries/uk-giant/ A UK Giant Powerpack Leisure Battery. Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aandncaravan Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Steve, if it is either of the two batteries suggested above then I would be willing to bet a penny the battery is the issue. When we were cutting open batteries back in 2012 trying to work out why so many different types and makes of Motorhome/Caravan charger all failed, we found the budget batteries were in a very poor state after as little as 12 months. I won't go on too much, but amongst the stack of batteries we looked at, two Endurolines that came in from different vehicles both had issues with getting very hot. Both of them had one of the central cells virtually shorted which meant that on being charged, the 14.4v was effectively being divided amongst 5 cells not 6, resulting in each 'good' Cell being heavily overcharged. On opening them up Plate material had detached in most of the cells but a lot more dropped on the one that was virtually shorting. It was a different cell that failed on the other battery, but same situation inside. Both had severe evidence of corrosion/Grid growth. I would guess that this has happened with your battery? When we opened up the likes of a Varta, Bosch, Yuasa or Exide there was significantly less material shedding from the plates. You would not believe the difference in condition inside between a quality battery and a Asian import with an 'Own label' on. My suggestion would be recycle yours at a scrap yard for a £5 and put the money towards a decent battery. When you first put it on EHU watch the voltage display to check it doesn't go above 14.5v. Come back to it an hour later and check all is still ok. A new battery rarely comes fully charged, so leave it on EHU for about 24 hours, with periodic checks just in case there is a charger faulty which may be random in showing itself. If you want to understand how a battery works and why they fail have a look at our webpage : http://www.aandncaravanservices.co.uk/how-does-a-battery-work.php :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_nuk Posted February 8, 2017 Author Share Posted February 8, 2017 Thank you so much for spending time replying and explaining the issue. I'm sure you are right. I have contacted a reputable battery specialist today and will buy a new battery. They will also recycle the old one for me. I will connect to the EHU as you suggest. Just one final question if you don't mind. Is it okay to connect for a period of 8 hours, then disconnecting to repeat the following day. I can't leave the van connected as I have to run the lead from inside the house. As I have a upvc window, I have to leave it ajar, but I close it overnight. I am hoping that a series of 'charging' periods over a couple of days will fully charge the battery. Thanks again for your advice, I am grateful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david lloyd Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Steve, as you are going to invest in a new battery I would suggest you have a read of the pages on the aandncaravans site in the link above to read more about leisure batteries. As a company they do not sell batteries but, as Alan has indicated, they did a great deal,of research into batteries and well they stand up to use over time but are independent in their advice on the best to buy. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aandncaravan Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Hello, yes 8 hour stints would work fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted February 8, 2017 Share Posted February 8, 2017 Steve_nuk - 2017-02-08 6:45 PM I have contacted a reputable battery specialist today and will buy a new battery. Steve, May I suggest before you buy a new battery you post here what you have been offered (and price if you wish) for knowledgeable forum members to advise for or against your choice. Steve_nuk - 2017-02-08 6:45 PM They will also recycle the old one for me. I bet they will! Scrap batteries are worth around 60 p per kilo, so a battery weighing 20 kilos is worth £12. Take it to your local recyclers and get some cash for it! Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nimod Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 if only ! But it would be very hot http://www.afr.com/news/silicon-will-blow-lithium-batteries-out-of-water-says-adelaide-firm-20170207-gu7eg7?utm_content=bufferb5add&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted February 16, 2017 Share Posted February 16, 2017 Steve_nuk - 2017-02-08 6:45 PM I have contacted a reputable battery specialist today and will buy a new battery. They will also recycle the old one for me. . Of course they will I got £13.50 for each of mine at the local scrapie. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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