robdav Posted March 5, 2019 Share Posted March 5, 2019 Hi What is the correct/best way to measure what charge voltage the alternator is providing to the habitation battery when the engine is running? Many thanks Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted March 5, 2019 Share Posted March 5, 2019 Measure the voltage directly across the terminals of the leisure battery. If in doubts about the efficiency of your wiring repeat across the starter battery terminals. In an ideal world both should be exactly the same! Also repeat with fridge set to 12 V. Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robdav Posted March 5, 2019 Author Share Posted March 5, 2019 Keithl - 2019-03-05 3:32 PM Measure the voltage directly across the terminals of the leisure battery. If in doubts about the efficiency of your wiring repeat across the starter battery terminals. In an ideal world both should be exactly the same! Also repeat with fridge set to 12 V. Keith. That simple. Thanks Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted March 5, 2019 Share Posted March 5, 2019 robdav - 2019-03-05 3:35 PM Keithl - 2019-03-05 3:32 PM Measure the voltage directly across the terminals of the leisure battery. If in doubts about the efficiency of your wiring repeat across the starter battery terminals. In an ideal world both should be exactly the same! Also repeat with fridge set to 12 V. Keith. That simple. Thanks Keith. Yes. Start with the engine at idle then slowly raise the revs to 1,500 - 2,000 and see if you get any change. Have a read of Allan's page on Battery Charging for a bit more info... http://www.aandncaravanservices.co.uk/add-a-second-battery.php Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelmorris Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 Keithl - 2019-03-05 3:32 PM Measure the voltage directly across the terminals of the leisure battery. If in doubts about the efficiency of your wiring repeat across the starter battery terminals. In an ideal world both should be exactly the same! Also repeat with fridge set to 12 V. Keith. That is exactly how it was tested for us. The test found a reduced voltage going to both batteries. Putting a thick jump lead between the engine and the chassis restored the voltage to both, confirming that the earth strap needed replacement. All fixed within a couple of hours. :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 Good result Michael. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonyishuk Posted March 9, 2019 Share Posted March 9, 2019 If you have secure motion system (heating moment whilst travelling)', it would useful to put t.he heating on as well. Fridge, + heating + whatever accessories you might use, ie charge phone, play radio, run sat Nav, dash cam etc will give an indication of what may be the reason for a slow charge of habitation and vehicle battery. Surprising how the amps get used up! Rgds Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aandncaravan Posted March 9, 2019 Share Posted March 9, 2019 tonyishuk - 2019-03-09 8:07 AM If you have secure motion system (heating moment whilst travelling)', it would useful to put t.he heating on as well. Fridge, + heating + whatever accessories you might use, ie charge phone, play radio, run sat Nav, dash cam etc will give an indication of what may be the reason for a slow charge of habitation and vehicle battery. Surprising how the amps get used up! Rgds Very good point, we know some who charge eBike batteries once on the move, and things like and those Tony list will all affect the Alternator voltage drop. Thank you Tony, I will add that to the web page. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.