Battery failure. Engine and leisure

[Skootyalan]

Thanks, I can get at front battery by moving passenger seat forward. I know have that battery on the CTEK. It wasn’t dead and seems to be taking charge

 

[yossarian]

How about a photo of your camping control panel.

 

[scottk]

Thanks, I can get at front battery by moving passenger seat forward. I know have that battery on the CTEK. It wasn’t dead and seems to be taking charge

The second leisure battery is in the boot. If you look on the left hand side, there is a small hatch. This is where the other battery is stored.

 

[WelshGas]

Thanks, I can get at front battery by moving passenger seat forward. I know have that battery on the CTEK. It wasn’t dead and seems to be taking charge

By connecting your Ctek to the front leisure battery you are also charging the 2nd Leisure battery which is wired in parallel.
How are you connecting the Ctek to the front leisure battery? It should be connected +tve to +tve BUT the Ctek -tve should be connected to a Chassis earth NOT the Leisure battery -tve pole. This is because on the T6.1 both Leisure batteries have individual battery monitors and if you connect to the battery -tve pole the Control Panel will not see the Ctek charging current and can throw up anomalous results on the Control Panel Display.

 

[Skootyalan]

By connecting your Ctek to the front leisure battery you are also charging the 2nd Leisure battery which is wired in parallel.
How are you connecting the Ctek to the front leisure battery? It should be connected +tve to +tve BUT the Ctek -tve should be connected to a Chassis earth NOT the Leisure battery -tve pole. This is because on the T6.1 both Leisure batteries have individual battery monitors and if you connect to the battery -tve pole the Control Panel will not see the Ctek charging current and can throw up anomalous results on the Control Panel Display.

Many thanks. I have connected to the -ve. So, I will reconnect as you suggest and see what the result is. Many thanks for the advice

Alan

 

[Skootyalan]

Reason we were in Panama and the van stood for 2 and a bit weeks? My wife is a keen birdwatcher. The Harpy Eagle has been on her wish list for a long time. We were very lucky to see the elusive bird which lives on sloths and monkeys, spending its time up in the rain forest canopy

 

[Corradobrit]

lives on sloths

That's a bit of an unfair matchup. Beautiful birds though.

 

[Skootyalan]

I've had both leisure batteries on charge for over 24hours and am still getting the same message Battery Empty or Battery Low. The battery under the passenger seat is at 12.9v. So that doesn't appear empty?

 

[yossarian]

Measure the voltage of your rear battery.

 

[Skootyalan]

Well I have made progress!! The batteries seemed charged with CTEK, but van was insistent both batteries were empty. So, I contacted local VW van centre - first grumble, local dealer couldn’t run a diagnostic until FEBRUARY!!!! So, I tried Leeds and was told end of next week. The same for Wakefield and Cleckeaton! So, I tried Hull (which is a California specialist too). They fitted me in today.

I toddled over to Hull ( couple of hours, 90 miles). Made to feel very welcome, diagnostic done and problem identified! Software/system reset and everything working again!

So, JCT600 VW van centre, Hull is definitely on my Christmas card list and, in my experience, recommended

Currently, all looks well with the van and the world!! (World bit possibly a little over the top!!)

 

[Skootyalan]

So, many thanks to all who offered advice and sympathy!!