Newbie electrics question(s)

[VanFan]

Dear All.
When the van is not being used as a camper, should we turn the red electricity switch off?

If this switch is off, does the battery still charge when driving?

I have read that we should charge the van via hook up monthly for 24 hours to optimise the battery. Presumably, the same goal can be achieved by two or 3 shorter charging periods? [we do not have a drive to park on, so 24 hours is quite a long time to trail a lead].

Thanks in advance.

 

[dspuk]

Dear All.
When the van is not being used as a camper, should we turn the red electricity switch off?

If this switch is off, does the battery still charge when driving?

I have read that we should charge the van via hook up monthly for 24 hours to optimise the battery. Presumably, the same goal can be achieved by two or 3 shorter charging periods? [we do not have a drive to park on, so 24 hours is quite a long time to trail a lead].

Thanks in advance.

The red switch, AFAIK, just connects the van to the on board 3 PIN etc, and does not effect charging when driving.

It does not need to be off all the time.

The manual actually says 8 hours every month, but if you cannot do 8, then just drive it with max charge on for an hour, or as you say, shorter charges. You are just topping up a battery really.

When charged fully, regardless of plugged in or not, it will just move to float.

 

[Mr T]

Dear All.
When the van is not being used as a camper, should we turn the red electricity switch off?

If this switch is off, does the battery still charge when driving?

I have read that we should charge the van via hook up monthly for 24 hours to optimise the battery. Presumably, the same goal can be achieved by two or 3 shorter charging periods? [we do not have a drive to park on, so 24 hours is quite a long time to trail a lead].

Thanks in advance.

The red isolation switch in the Grand California will turn off most 12v consuming items, but not all.
You will still charge the leisure battery when driving even with this switch off.
Do you have solar as that can help a little too.

 

[VanFan]

The red switch, AFAIK, just connects the van to the on board 3 PIN etc, and does not effect charging when driving. Obvs it won't charge from EHU when off.

It does not need to be off all the time.

The manual actually says 8 hours every month, but if you cannot do 8, then just drive it with max charge on for an hour, or as you say, shorter charges. You are just topping up a battery really.

When charged fully, regardless of plugged in or not, it will just move to float.

Thank you! Very helpful. What is ‘float’?

 

[VanFan]

The red isolation switch in the Grand California will turn off most 12v consuming items, but not all.
You will still charge the leisure battery when driving even with this switch off.
Do you have solar as that can help a little too.

Hello. Thank you. No, no solar panel. I’m conscious of the battery situation because we bought ours (22 plate) but it had not been used or driven around and so we just needed a new battery under warranty because it was not holding charge.

 

[dspuk]

Thank you! Very helpful. What is ‘float’?

It’s more a solar term but it’s just said here to indicate the battery is full and you don’t need to worry about it.

Drive on max charge once a week. You’ll be fine

 

[VanFan]

It’s more a solar term but it’s just said here to indicate the battery is full and you don’t need to worry about it.

Drive on max charge once a week. You’ll be fine

You’re a star; thanks a lot.

 

[Mr T]

Just for clarity the red switch is nothing to do with the EHU or any mains battery charging.

 

[BeeBee]

Could you explain what you mean by ‘drive on maximum charge ‘.

 

[BeerSmiff]

Could you explain what you mean by ‘drive on maximum charge ‘.

On the control panel where you turn on the fridge etc there’s an option called Max Charge. Just enable that.

 

[BeeBee]

On the control panel where you turn on the fridge etc there’s an option called Max Charge. Just enable that.

Thanks, had our van 5 years and didn’t know about this facility. Is it something to be activated when going for a drive and then switched off , we tend to do the monthly hook up charge, especially in winter when the van isn’t being used as much.

 

[BeerSmiff]

Thanks, had our van 5 years and didn’t know about this facility. Is it something to be activated when going for a drive and then switched off , we tend to do the monthly hook up charge, especially in winter when the van isn’t being used as much.

I think it might automatically switch off at the end of a drive - I’m prepared to be corrected on this. I tend not to use it as I go for the regular plug in option.

 

[VanFan]

I actually didn’t know this either. I thought dspuk was referring to the battery boost button on the dash.