charging on EHU

[pvsdb]

I've let the main battery fall to low charge at home. If I plug in EHU will that help power up the main battery or just the leisure battery?

 

Thanks.

[colin]

Some vans do some don't, if you where to post model someone might be able to advise, or just plug it in and find out.

p.s. the trickle charge to vehicle battery, if it exists, is usually very low so can take many hours, IIRC Eddie's van took two days to fully charge.

[pvsdb]

Thanks. Its a Bessacarr E460 based on an 11-plate Ducato.

[pvsdb]

Problem solved - it is charging both!

[Brian Kirby]

But, check the rate of charge to the starter battery because many only supply a "maintenance", or "trickle" charge to keep the starter battery topped up. That charge rate is likely to be insufficient to re-charge a heavily discharged battery. Some (though I believe relatively few) do allow the full output from the charger to be switched to the starter battery instead of the leisure battery, so it would be wise to check exactly what your system provides. If in doubt, taking the van for a 20 or so mile drive would probably be the best way to get the starter battery re-charged in the short term, at least until you are confident about what the mains charger actually does.

[StuartO]

If your “main” battery is relatively new it should survive going flat and having to be recharged but if it’s three or more years old it will probably need replacing. Batteries are relatively cheap so better replace than be sorry. Never buy a cheap battery; you get what you pay for.