yoko8pups Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 We had two new leisure batteries fitted about 18 months ago. The motorhome hasn't been getting much use since October though we have checked the 12 volt was switching on. Yesterday we were going out and the 12 volt was dead. Is it safe to charge it by plugging in to the mains? Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 I believe your motorhome is a 2005 Hymer Camp C524. Allowing a vehicle battery to become completely discharged may cause irreparable damage to it. And even if the battery is not damaged, a battery-charger may not be able to immediately start to revive it. There's a good deal of online advice about charging 'dead' motorhome batteries https://tinyurl.com/2kx3zxss but it's not easy to advise on the likelihood of successfully recharging yours without knowing the voltage they have now sunk to. If you aren't in a position to provide voltage readings, all you can really do is connect your motorhome to a 230V hook-up and see if the motorhome's onboard charger will revive the leisure batteries. If the batteries begin to charge, leave them on charge for at least 24 hours. (If your motorhome will start, running its motor should begin to put charge back into the leisure-batteries. But you'd be better putting the motorhome on 230V hook-up for a day to fully charge the leisure-batteries.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoko8pups Posted January 7, 2022 Author Share Posted January 7, 2022 Thank you, Derek, once we discovered the leisure batteries were discharged we were able to start the van and drove for a couple of hours, but still not a hint of charge on the 12 volt. The batteries are Varta Professional 90Ah 12volt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 Are the batteries actually discharged or has a fuse blown? Do you have a voltmeter to measure the actual voltage directly at the battery terminals? Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weldted Posted January 7, 2022 Share Posted January 7, 2022 Sometimes if a battery is dead flat it can cause the fuse to blow. If you have a check charger try using that. Put a little charge in then rig a low wattage bulb to run it down a bit then charge again working the battery this way can sometimes recover it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyishuk Posted January 9, 2022 Share Posted January 9, 2022 Sometimes it’s worth the time and pain of fitting a couple of 12v indicators to the batteries just to show a quick indication of charge. EBay have a range at moderate cost and Ctech have connectors that have LEDs built in. A quick glance tells all and maybe time to give a quick booster charge. I often wonder if it’s worth fitting an isolation switch to the leisure battery and charging it . There might be less drain on the battery whilst standing. Vehicle battery is a different due to discharge to supply the ecu , burglar alarm , entry locks etc. Rgds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoko8pups Posted January 11, 2022 Author Share Posted January 11, 2022 Thank you everyone, with all your help and tips we managed to get it back up to 13.4, after two days still at 13.2 so we are hopeful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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