cheetahdavie Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 Peugeot Compass Rambler 130 2.2hdi [Eldis?] Some time ago, Vertigo :[rhymes?] put a kybosh on my driving Since then I have been making my vehicle "fit for purpose" in order to sell it..40+ years of "vanning" put to one side, The last problem i have is that my fairly new leasure battery [it stays fully charged off the vehicle for many weeks?] runs down when put in my vehicle..within 48 hrs..from fully charged to less than 10,4v .I have checked battery with fuses in/out..checked drawings from battery [high] all turned off.Even with all fuses out the battery is still providing current to>>?something.I have searched the vehicle inside and under for such as a security device..no. nothing? A drunken session [not many of such for oldies like me] with a guy I have known for most of my life..he was trained/apprenticed/time served motor engineer.with a great number of coys..said that my problem was.[.I was 3/4 gone .]..to do with the "Diode"? in the unit that ...hope i get this right..switches current from Leisure battery to vehicle battery. He tells me that the non leisured battery [vehicle] has been recharged by someone putting the charger on the Earth..and Positive terminals in the front of the vehicle..ie the point just under the bonnet ..hence electrics b*****d. I know there are many very able Electric/tronics experts out there,,question..could he [my drunken friend] be right?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1footinthegrave Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 I'd ask him again when he's sober :-S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Newell Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 I agree, ask him again when sober as what you've quoted him as saying makes little sense. Alternatively if your mate is so clued up as to diagnose it when pished sight unseen then ask him to fix it for you, mates rates should apply :D D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 As you've taken ammeter readings when your leisure-battery is installed in your motorhome and established that the current-drain is "high", if you could say what those readings were it just might help. It's possible that your engineer pal may be suggesting that charge is being lost from the leisure-battery through the vehicle's alternator (the 'diode' reference?) via the split-charge relay, due to someone having charged the vehicle-battery without first disconnecting it. I've no idea if that diagnosis is realistic but, if you can identify the split-charge relay and disconnect it, that might be educational. As has already been suggested, it would be sensible to get more information from your pal. I note that you raised this matter in August 2011 on the Hints & Tips forum and it was discussed in considerable depth. I'm not sure if anything has really changed since then (other than you hopefully resolving your original odd ammeter readings and your pal's advice being given) so I suggest forum members refer to the earlier thread before commenting on this one. See: http://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=24674&posts=10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1footinthegrave Posted November 16, 2011 Share Posted November 16, 2011 Sorry I can't resist, perhaps a good starting point would be to ask the bloke who "may" have tried to charge your van, or perhaps he was p*ssed as well and can't remember. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheetahdavie Posted November 16, 2011 Author Share Posted November 16, 2011 I did raise the matter previously Derek,and was extremely grateful for the tips and advice you offered.Despite trying all advice offered I still have the same problem problem. As Dave suggests..I will try him again when he his sober..he really does have onefootinthegrave..hence is liking of alcohol Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 Dave I've copied below a link to a webpage detailing a problem where a battery was mysteriously losing charge. It's to some extent an advertising article, but it does indicate how complex what one might initially consider to be an easy to diagnose fault can turn out to be. http://www.picoauto.com/tutorials/battery-discharge-problem.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dikyenfo Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 If you have a solar charger on the roof then your friend could be referring to the diode in the line that blocks return of current at night. Easily checked by a reading upside of the diode at night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brambles Posted November 17, 2011 Share Posted November 17, 2011 Remove the bulb in your outside awning light and see if it helps stop the discharging. I also suspect the relay operating in your control box when you connect the battery is something to do with the outside light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hilux Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 A friend had a similar problem with batteries running down with seemingly nothing switched on. We spent several hours searching and disconnecting and re-connecting. We eventually isolated a faulty waste tank heater. However, in winter conditons a waste tank heater will come on anyway as it is not controlled by an external switch, but by a thermostat which responds to temperature drop. This could be your problem so take a look at the waste tank heater, if you have one, and take off the connecting wires and see if the problem goes away. H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Hilux - 2011-11-19 4:15 PM ......................... However, in winter conditons a waste tank heater will come on anyway as it is not controlled by an external switch, but by a thermostat which responds to temperature drop. ...........................H Woah, not so fast!! :-) Not arguing with your diagnosis of the potential fault, but it is certainly not true that all waste tank heaters are so wired. For example, ours is via a switch on the main control panel, but has no 'stat. I'd also be a bit surprised if the supply to yours can't be isolated, because otherwise it would come on whenever the temperature dropped, the load is quite high, and it would flatten the habitation battery overnight if not on hook-up. I'm afraid this is what happens when one extrapolates from experience with one vehicle, on the assumption it will apply to all. It probably won't. :-( There ain't no such thing as standard motorhome wiring practise! :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brambles Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 I based my awning light diagnosis on the earlier thread where owner mentioned when an LED outside light was fitted it would not switch off but did with a (^) filament bulb. I suspect there is leakage through to the bulb and it is drawing a low current, not enough to light the bulb but enough to drain the battery which I also suspect is not got the capacity it should have through sulphation of being left flat previously... Summit like that anyway!!!! :-S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Brian Kirby - 2011-11-19 5:13 PM Hilux - 2011-11-19 4:15 PM ......................... However, in winter conditons a waste tank heater will come on anyway as it is not controlled by an external switch, but by a thermostat which responds to temperature drop. ...........................H Woah, not so fast!! :-) Not arguing with your diagnosis of the potential fault, but it is certainly not true that all waste tank heaters are so wired. For example, ours is via a switch on the main control panel, but has no 'stat. I'd also be a bit surprised if the supply to yours can't be isolated, because otherwise it would come on whenever the temperature dropped, the load is quite high, and it would flatten the habitation battery overnight if not on hook-up. I'm afraid this is what happens when one extrapolates from experience with one vehicle, on the assumption it will apply to all. It probably won't. :-( There ain't no such thing as standard motorhome wiring practise! :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robinhood Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Brian Kirby - 2011-11-19 5:13 PM For example, ours is via a switch on the main control panel, but has no 'stat. ......that's what happens when you buy a cheap Hobby. :-D According to the manual, mine has both, and the heater kicks in at approx 8 degrees C. (must admit, I haven't tested whether it has a 'stat though). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Must be because its the cheap one, Robin. :-) If there is a 'stat, the manual is "silent" on the issue! It is apparently controlled by the control panel switch only, and only operates if the engine is running, or a mains supply is connected. But like you, I haven't tested it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted November 19, 2011 Share Posted November 19, 2011 Brian Kirby - 2011-11-19 5:13 PM Hilux - 2011-11-19 4:15 PM ......................... However, in winter conditons a waste tank heater will come on anyway as it is not controlled by an external switch, but by a thermostat which responds to temperature drop. ...........................H Woah, not so fast!! :-) Not arguing with your diagnosis of the potential fault, but it is certainly not true that all waste tank heaters are so wired. For example, ours is via a switch on the main control panel, but has no 'stat. I'd also be a bit surprised if the supply to yours can't be isolated, because otherwise it would come on whenever the temperature dropped, the load is quite high, and it would flatten the habitation battery overnight if not on hook-up. I'm afraid this is what happens when one extrapolates from experience with one vehicle, on the assumption it will apply to all. It probably won't. :-( There ain't no such thing as standard motorhome wiring practise! :-) The waste-water tank heaters on my Hobby motorhome (and I suspect on Brian's are only operable either when the vehicle's motor is running or when the vehicle is hooked up to a 230V power supply. Any tank-heater installation that didn't provide some sort of protection against battery-flattening (an On/Off switch as an absolute minimum) would be a poor one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheetahdavie Posted November 21, 2011 Author Share Posted November 21, 2011 Still working on the problem and attempting to follow most of your suggestions.I traced the previous owner..the Van battery [non leisure] had been charged using the the front mounted Peugeot terminals..I followed Derek's link..[amazing piece of kit used there!]. I am going to look at Brambles suggestion this week..[outside light?.] I changed all the interior bulbs to new LEDs,[at the Lincoln Show] and on the return journey the outside light came on[awning?] and stayed on.The switch just inside the door]remained on no matter what I did. The red light on the switch for those familiar with the Compass/Eldis remained red/on. I had to remove the new LED to turn it off? This "fault" remained with me for a week or so..then low and behold..putting the "old " bulb back gave me a working awning light?Could be something in that??? I have taken my vehicle in to a local garage/not specialists but with a good reputation..they are as baffled as me..$200 for the Pifco machine might help?? Thanks again to all who provided some help/advice..Thats why I continue to recommend this site to all and sundry.My Drunken friend passed on this week...gonna miss him. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolero boy Posted November 21, 2011 Share Posted November 21, 2011 cheetahdavie - 2011-11-21 1:17 AM ........My Drunken friend passed on this week...gonna miss him. DaveMy condolences. Shame (as some suggested) you didn't get a chance to 'ask him again when he's sober!' Let's hope he's in a better place ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheetahdavie Posted November 24, 2011 Author Share Posted November 24, 2011 He is ,in a better place...His widow asks that I excuse you. I was not pretending..he passed away. I look forward to meeting you one day..and "explaining" that death is something we all face with stoicism,apart from those who mock our Christian beliefs..they have their problems to face when the bell tolls.Your post had nothing to do with assisting a guy who was at a loss to understand what was happening with his [expensive] motor home..it was a cheap jibe.. Angry..believe me I am..Chris..i Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted November 24, 2011 Share Posted November 24, 2011 cheetahdavie - 2011-11-24 12:38 AM He is ,in a better place...His widow asks that I excuse you. I was not pretending..he passed away. I look forward to meeting you one day..and "explaining" that death is something we all face with stoicism,apart from those who mock our Christian beliefs..they have their problems to face when the bell tolls.Your post had nothing to do with assisting a guy who was at a loss to understand what was happening with his [expensive] motor home..it was a cheap jibe.. Angry..believe me I am..Chris..i Forgive me for saying this, but the response you received following your comment "My Drunken friend passed on this week...gonna miss him" is largely your own fault. Your earlier joking about your friend's drinking habits introduced a comic element to your postings and it's no good getting uptight now when a forum member chose to comment light-heartedly on your "passed on" mention. You could have just said "Sadly, my friend died last week..." and it's most unlikely that bolero boy would have commented as he did. There was never any need to mention your friend's drinking but, once you had, the consequences were predictable regarding follow-up postings. You may be angry about bolero boy's posting (though I'm sure it was well intentioned, if unwise with hindsight), but you'll need to accept responsibility for what prompted it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolero boy Posted November 24, 2011 Share Posted November 24, 2011 Derek Uzzell - 2011-11-24 8:57 AM cheetahdavie - 2011-11-24 12:38 AM He is ,in a better place...His widow asks that I excuse you. I was not pretending..he passed away. I look forward to meeting you one day..and "explaining" that death is something we all face with stoicism,apart from those who mock our Christian beliefs..they have their problems to face when the bell tolls.Your post had nothing to do with assisting a guy who was at a loss to understand what was happening with his [expensive] motor home..it was a cheap jibe.. Angry..believe me I am..Chris..i Forgive me for saying this, but the response you received following your comment "My Drunken friend passed on this week...gonna miss him" is largely your own fault. Your earlier joking about your friend's drinking habits introduced a comic element to your postings and it's no good getting uptight now when a forum member chose to comment light-heartedly on your "passed on" mention. You could have just said "Sadly, my friend died last week..." and it's most unlikely that bolero boy would have commented as he did. There was never any need to mention your friend's drinking but, once you had, the consequences were predictable regarding follow-up postings. You may be angry about bolero boy's posting (though I'm sure it was well intentioned, if unwise with hindsight), but you'll need to accept responsibility for what prompted it. Derek, thank you for your support although in this case it should not be needed. Cheetahdavie, i don't get annoyed very often (let alone on an electronic forum) but I am a bit miffed that you seem to think I posted a jokey, rude comment about your friend and his situation. I can assure you that nothing was further from my mind. In fact, if you read my post, I did take your comment about passong on literally and was genuinely extending my sympathy to you (although I should also do so to his wife). I also then referred to the generally given advice which was to 'ask him,,,,,,,etc.' and commented that you would not be able to do so. Me reference to 'a better place' was an extension of the condolences offered, none of us really knows what may happen at the 'end' but we all hope that 'moving on' might cause us to arrive at somewhere peaceful and loving. As Derek eluded, you post did have a mildly 'comic' flavour but my reponse was to quickly note your friend's position not to quickly denigrate. Again, my condolences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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