BML Posted September 28, 2020 Share Posted September 28, 2020 As the start of autumn provokes me to switch my electric blanket on the thought crossed my mind that I really should do something about ensuring the two batteries on my Camper stay alive and well so I’m looking for the most effective method anyone can advise me off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted September 28, 2020 Share Posted September 28, 2020 I have a small CTEK stand alone charger and charge each battery for 24 hours approx every three to four weeks. I do not use the MH's own PSU as it is more of a set voltage power supply than a true battery charger. Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickt Posted September 28, 2020 Share Posted September 28, 2020 I keep mine on electric hookup,which I turn on every 10 days or so . It is easy then to turn on and charge batteries for about 24 hours. I have a battery mate which keeps the engine battery charged Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted September 28, 2020 Share Posted September 28, 2020 My experience is the leisure battery rarely suffers from discharging as the systems are all shutdown. The vehicle battery however will discharge within a few weeks. The onboard charger puts plenty of charge into the leisure battery , but little into the vehicle battery, some vans the vehicle battery receives no charge from the onboard charger. Same applies to many solar set ups, and in my case the van is stored under cover, so solar gets little sun. My answer is a solar panel(and regulator) set up to directly charge vehicle battery. I got a cheap 40w panel with PWM regulator, and it has served well for years. p.s. I should say, that if the van was stored outside I would get a dual output solar regulator for the van mounted solar panel, which can be set to put most charge into vehicle battery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted September 28, 2020 Share Posted September 28, 2020 Earlier enquiry by BML https://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/Two-battery-Motorhome-Setting-it-up-/55404/#M651757 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Posted September 28, 2020 Share Posted September 28, 2020 Our van is in the garage so no solar. I've got an optimate 4 on the engine battery and an optimate 2 on the leisure battery. They can only deliver 0.8 amps so if any faults develop on the batteries they aren't capable of getting them hot/gassing etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Chris Posted September 28, 2020 Share Posted September 28, 2020 I use an Optimate2 0.8A charger. I may seem puny but it brought my 74Ah cab battery back to full working order from 6V to 12.7V when a short circuit had discharged it. OK, it took 3 days to do it but there was no rush at the time. ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
_Chris Posted September 28, 2020 Share Posted September 28, 2020 Not me, the charger! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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