A question about flat leisure batteries

[icic]

I haven't used our van for a couple of months and found the batteries completely flat. We have solar panels but the fridge was left on. I've been for long drive and still no power whatsoever in the batteries. I believe I need to charge them 48 hours from the mains to try to revive them. However, I live in a terrace house so won't be able to have a cable running out to the van for 48 hours. It would more likely to be spells of time during the daytime (say 8 hours at a time) I have a few questions, running a charge less than 48 hours driving the van then charging again straight away would that work to charge the batteries or is that not going to be effective? Does it have to be 48 hours continuously and if I only part charge them would that damage them further ? I have to drive 3 hours tomorrow and stay in the van overnight (on mains ) but then would need to drive the van again next day (would that damage the batteries further) any advise on how to get my batteries to like would be great

 

[WelshGas]

I haven't used our van for a couple of months and found the batteries completely flat. We have solar panels but the fridge was left on. I've been for long drive and still no power whatsoever in the batteries. I believe I need to charge them 48 hours from the mains to try to revive them. However, I live in a terrace house so won't be able to have a cable running out to the van for 48 hours. It would more likely to be spells of time during the daytime (say 8 hours at a time) I have a few questions, running a charge less than 48 hours driving the van then charging again straight away would that work to charge the batteries or is that not going to be effective? Does it have to be 48 hours continuously and if I only part charge them would that damage them further ? I have to drive 3 hours tomorrow and stay in the van overnight (on mains ) but then would need to drive the van again next day (would that damage the batteries further) any advise on how to get my batteries to like would be great

You are very unlikely to do any additional damage. But if you want the best chance of recovering the Leisure Batteries then I would suggest removing both batteries and charge them individually using a smart charger such as a ctek 10 that can condition a battery .

 

[icic]

Thank you I will get a Ctek 10, if I remove them individually can I still use mains power in the van with one or no batteries, as I need to stay in it for a night while they are mains charing in the house?

Also I presume I have to take out the seat to get to the battery, it that easy I found this guide https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/thread...arger-to-replace-vw-split-charge-relay.23466/

If I do this how do I Make sure the air bag does not go off not clear from the link
Thanks so much

 

[WelshGas]

Thank you I will get a Ctek 10, if I remove them individually can I still use mains power in the van with one or no batteries, as I need to stay in it for a night while they are mains charing in the house?

Also I presume I have to take out the seat to get to the battery, it that easy I found this guide https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/thread...arger-to-replace-vw-split-charge-relay.23466/

If I do this how do I Make sure the air bag does not go off not clear from the link
Thanks so much

As long as you have 1 battery connected that’s fine.
The front battery under the chair.
Switch Off Ignition. This will disable air bags. DO NOT switch on the ignition until the electrical connections under the chair have been remade. NB: you may not need to disconnect them. Unbolt seat and lean it forward against Dashboard. I found there was sufficient room to remove battery without disconnecting the plugs.

 

[icic]

Thank you so much for your advice

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Can you not leave the batteries in situ, and charge via one of the leisure 12v sockets using the Ctek?

CTEK Comfort Connect - Cigarette Plug

The CTEK Comfort Connect - 12v/Cigarette Power Plug Adaptor is an easy to fit adapter that allows charging through the 12v cigarette lighter or 12v power accessory socket from a CTEK compatible charger.Compatible with all CTEK chargers up to 10 A.400mm cable.To allow operation, the socket must...

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[icic]

can you explain more I don’t understand, how would that charge the flat battery, can you charge through a 12 volt socket like the one by the door under the passenger seat ?

 

[Ch1pbutty]

can you explain more I don’t understand, how would that charge the flat battery, can you charge through a 12 volt socket like the one by the door under the passenger seat ?

You can charge via the 12v socket using the adaptor. We used to do it with our Beach before we had solar panels fitted. One of the dash sockets was leisure, the other was engine battery.

The only thing it won't do is tell you which one of your 2 leisure batteries is in bad health (if any). They might both be fine after a charge as the I understand that Oceans indicator is not always entirely accurate.

Might be worth trying with the lead before you take the batteries out.

 

[WelshGas]

You can charge via the 12v socket using the adaptor. We used to do it with our Beach before we had solar panels fitted. One of the dash sockets was leisure, the other was engine battery.

The only thing it won't do is tell you which one of your 2 leisure batteries is in bad health (if any). They might both be fine after a charge as the I understand that Oceans indicator is not always entirely accurate.

Might be worth trying with the lead before you take the batteries out.

The OP stated he lived in a terrace house so unable to plug into the mains supply at home.
Your method could work but requires a Mains supply.

 

[icic]

So with the CTEC how long do you need to charge the batteries for ? is it still 48 hours and does charging via socket or direct to battery terminal make any difference to time

 

[icic]

so 48 hours whatever the method

 

[WelshGas]

so 48 hours whatever the method

The cTek has a series of LEDs that light up as each stage of the charging profile is completed so each battery needs to complete the cycle.

 

[andyinluton]

Thank you I will get a Ctek 10, if I remove them individually can I still use mains power in the van with one or no batteries, as I need to stay in it for a night while they are mains charing in the house?

Sorry if I am stating the obvious but just be careful with the leads that you have taken off the battery that you removed, the end of the positive one will still be live with the power coming from the battery thats still in place.

 

[Skootyalan]

Hi, I have had a similar problems hamsters couple of weeks in Panama. I tried leaving van plugged in for a number of days. While engine battery fine the leisure batteries were seen as low/ empty by the van. So, I stuck a Ctek on each battery for over 24 hours. I think batteries had charge but the van didn’t agree. I took the van to VW van centre in Hull for diagnostic which they told me needed a software reset. The van was fine when I collected and as behaved since. So, I wonder if the van electronics get confused when the leisure batteries run down? I was worried the batteries had been destroyed by running flat, but they are fine. I suspect my problem was caused by the dashcam being on while I was away.

 

[icic]

so it appears my batteries might be shot, any recommendations on which ones to get and where ? how m much should they be

 

[yossarian]

so it appears my batteries might be shot, any recommendations on which ones to get and where ? how m much should they be

This is the most referenced battery and supplier: Tanya LA80. Currently out of stock there but given you've sat on this for 7 months you're probably not desperate.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

This is the most referenced battery and supplier: Tanya LA80. Currently out of stock there but given you've sat on this for 7 months you're probably not desperate.

In stock here…

Varta LA80 AGM Dual Purpose Leisure Battery 12V 95Ah 840080080

Get Varta LA80 Dual Purpose AGM Leisure Battery and other Varta for your car from ML Performance at the lowest price with FREE UK shipping & next day delivery on in stock items. Very cheap prices & good service.

www.mlperformance.co.uk