accidentally left fridge on when I parked at the airport before a long trip...advice needed

[turnitdown]

I stupidly left the fridge on when I parked at the airport for 5+ weeks. From reading other threads, I gather the leisure battery will automatically stop draining when it reaches a certain discharge level. Is that right? What is the effect on the starter battery? I have a tracker that shows starter battery voltage and can see that the voltage on the starter battery started falling pretty quickly, then stopped falling as fast. It's been 3 weeks now and the starter voltage is 11.9v (just dipped below 12 in the last day or two). It will be two more weeks before I fly back. I am wondering if I should plan to bring something like this:

NOCO Boost Plus GB40 Jump Starter 1000A 12V – For Cars, SUVs, Trucks, & Motorcycles Portable Emergency Battery Booster Jump Box With Power Bank

The NOCO Boost Plus GB40 is a compact and portable 12V lithium jump starter that delivers 1000A of starting power to safely jump start dead batteries in seconds. Ideal for cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, pickup trucks, motorcycles, ATVs, boats, and more, it provides up to 20 jump starts on a single...

no.co

to get on the road again at the airport.

My plan is to get the van on hookup asap when I Iand, but just wondering what I can expect re having damaged the leisure battery and/or the starter.

thanks.

 

[dspuk]

I believe it's more like the fridge cuts out rather than the leisures but in doing so it stops them dropping below salvageable levels. They should be fine after a run out to recharge them, or plug in for 24h when you get home.

It should not affect the starter battery at all. Draw on the starter is likely your tracker.

That boost item is likely overkill, I'd say get one of the Amazon ones that also double up as a useful item to have in the Cali (where ours is). IMHO it's unlikely you will need one immediately.

Amazon.co.uk

 

[turnitdown]

Thanks. I’ve left the van with the tracker on for a month in the past with much less draw from the starter, so I assumed somehow the leisure battery dropping was affecting the starter.

Is there a voltage for the starting battery below which I should plan to bring a booster? I have one with me overseas but would rather not bring it if it’s overkill.

 

[KevH]

As an aside, a Noco GB40 rescued me at least half a dozen times when touring Normandy in early summer with an intermittent battery problem.
I now keep it charged under the drivers seat just in case and it is one if the few things I always carry.
It may be overkill for your particular need at this time of course, but I wouldn't dismiss it totally.
Best of luck for your return

 

[dspuk]

Thanks. I’ve left the van with the tracker on for a month in the past with much less draw from the starter, so I assumed somehow the leisure battery dropping was affecting the starter.

Is there a voltage for the starting battery below which I should plan to bring a booster? I have one with me overseas but would rather not bring it if it’s overkill.

Nope - when the ignition off the relay is not bridged so they remain physically separate. For the starter - not sure tbh - there is an image @WelshGas shares that you can search for that tells you %.

Edit - found

On tracker - comes to mind if you are checking it often for V and it has to communicate each time you do so this could be causing the heavier draw.

 

[turnitdown]

Thanks, that is helpful. I have a vague memory that I read something about the starter battery draining because of the fridge (in cases like this), but I must be misremembering.

 

[Mehdime]

I did this. The starter battery won’t be affected. The leisure battery will be completely dead however. You’ll get a bunch of beeps and warnings when you switch on the control panel and the leisure battery will be displayed overlaid with a red icon of death.

Drive for a while and it will eventually come back to life. Might take a good 30 minutes to an hour of driving before it un-deads itself.

The first time I did it, I didn’t notice much difference in battery autonomy afterwards. But I’ve done it 3-4 times now and the leisure batteries are definitely shot. Barely last a day.

 

[turnitdown]

yikes, thanks for the heads up re the red icon of death.

 

[TripleBee]

That is one of the downsides of the "Bluemotion Technology" in older vehicles, and the regenerative charging of the starter battery.
In my van, when I drive (or the engine is running), (all) the battery (ies) are charged at 14,2V up to 100%. When I leave the van for let's say 24 hours, the voltage will drop to the resting value of 12,6V.
In newer cars, the batteries are only held up to 12,3V to leave space for charging when braking.
If you will leave your car for 24 hours, the voltage will hardly stay at 12,3V.
If you have a setting to fully charge the batteries while driving, put that on before you leave your van for extended periods.