Best use of Leisure battery

[RDL1066]

Hi All. I’d value some advice
I’m months, and a couple of short trips, into life with our Cali and we’ve a 4 night festival coming up where there won’t be the option of a hook up.
So 2 questions
How do I ensure the leisure battery lasts (I really want the fridge to keep going) and
Can I charge the leisure battery through running the engine?
I’ve my first overnight tonight deliberately without a hook up to see how it goes.
Cheers
Richard

 

[Nick from Bath]

A few tips:
Don’t over chill the fridge, it doesn’t need to be on max. Usually keeping the fridge on 3 or 4 is plenty.

Use camping mode and don’t leave devices plugged in to the sockets unless being actively used.

Minimise the lights that are on too.

If you’ve got time before the festival, get a solar system in place, either fixed or portable panels depending on preference.

You can change the leisure batteries pretty quickly running the engine on max charge mode but at the risk of annoying those around you, though most people are pretty understanding if they even notice

Before we got solar, the batteries would last 3d without any need to charge via the engine, sure some get longer

 

[CC44853]

_Only_ use the fridge (we find setting 2 more than enough, you could even lower it to `min` overnight) and lights (with camping mode).

Never use any ports and take a portable power bank for phones etc instead. This is actually more convenient too (you can have it anywhere with you in/out of the van).

I honestly think solar is over the top for short trips (less than a week) like this.

 

[RDL1066]

Thank you bith
That’s really helpful
R

 

[dspuk]

You can easily get 3 days on leisures. 5 if you are super frugal, as above.

When we did Wilderness a load of vans ran their engines for 30 minutes for a top up when it was quiet through the day. It wasn’t really an issue. Couple of curtain twitchers but no-one minded really.

We have solar, just a 100w panel, but never had an issue.

 

[pluc99]

How long your leisure batteries will last depends not only on how little you use them but also their age. Assuming your van is a T6 as indicated on your profile they might no longer hold a full charge. Make sure to plug in the EDU with the cooler filled and on before you leave and set the max charge option to make sure they are as fully charged as they can be while driving.
In a pinch you can run the engine to charge the batteries. Your neighbours will probably not like you for it. I wouldn't do it for more than 10 minutes at a time but that would probably be enough anyway.

 

[ArunAlec]

Is it still the case that charging from the engine only goes to 80% capacity whereas charging from the mains /EHU goes to 100%? If so, unless the leisure batteries are below 80% running the engine won’t do much.

 

[pchmlk]

Is it still the case that charging from the engine only goes to 80% capacity whereas charging from the mains /EHU goes to 100%? If so, unless the leisure batteries are below 80% running the engine won’t do much.

If you turn the lights on or a heated seat, the engine will then charge them to 100% as I understand it.

 

[pluc99]

If you turn the lights on or a heated seat, the engine will then charge them to 100% as I understand it.

Agreed. There is also the max charge option in the overhead control unit on the T6.1. I don't know if older models also have it as well.

 

[Wesel]

The Ocean has two 75 Ah leisure batteries, for a total of 150 Ah. Charging while running the engine will generate a current of about 16 amps. In 15 minutes, this generates 4 Ah, or 3% of the battery capacity. So, it's useless! This gives the appearance of charging on the control screen, but it's just a temporary state of battery excitation that will then return to its original state after a while.

 

[dspuk]

Agreed. There is also the max charge option in the overhead control unit on the T6.1. I don't know if older models also have it as well.

They don’t but the hack seems to be to switch on the heated seats.

Ref running the engine etc from @Wesel, he makes a good point but it depends how far you want to push it. With max charging and an hour, you will make a dent, but back to the OP post, don’t sweat it. My sister was parked up next to us and without a panel or switching on they made it fine through a four day festival. Low power on the fridge, frugal on the lights DO NOT keep opening the drivers door (you will kill your starter battery) or put the keys in and no heater, all will be fine. Take torches.

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Fit a couple of solar panels, then you will never need EHU. Also gives you more choice of campsites as you are not restricted to those with EHU.

 

[Benham]

Fit a couple of solar panels, then you will never need EHU. Also gives you more choice of campsites as you are not restricted to those with EHU.

I've got one 100W panel from Solar Camper Solutions and fully agree with you here. However, I've noticed that some campsites are now only offering EHU pitches with no option to not hook up, which is a shame as some effective charge upto £8 per night for EHU!

 

[dspuk]

I've got one 100W panel from Solar Camper Solutions and fully agree with you here. However, I've noticed that some campsites are now only offering EHU pitches with no option to not hook up, which is a shame as some effective charge upto £8 per night for EHU!

Well, the OP was about being at a non hookup site for a festival so does not specifically apply to him.

On people complaining about “having” to pay 8 pound a night for EHU, I’d probably try and get some perspective. There is another thread about people complaining about site costs vs premier inn too. CBA with that conversation either.

 

[WelshGas]

Hi All. I’d value some advice
I’m months, and a couple of short trips, into life with our Cali and we’ve a 4 night festival coming up where there won’t be the option of a hook up.
So 2 questions
How do I ensure the leisure battery lasts (I really want the fridge to keep going) and
Can I charge the leisure battery through running the engine?
I’ve my first overnight tonight deliberately without a hook up to see how it goes.
Cheers
Richard

You have 75 amps of usable electric power from the Leisure Batteries. The fridge on normal setting and Ambient temperature of 20c will use approx 1amp/hr, so a run time of approximately 3+ days.
To maximise, cool fridge and contents on EHU for 24 hrs beforehand. Anything that can be frozen then freeze it at home and load into fridge on departure and allow to defrost in fridge.
Use Max Power button on T6.1 or switch on headlights or heated seat on T5/6 to charge Leisure Batteries to 100% pre-arrival.
Park with kitchen side in shade or use tarpaulin to shade that side where the fridge is or use silver foil to reflect sun from body panel between hob and wardrobe.
Run engine as last resort.
The California was not designed for extended off-grid use of more than 2/3 days without some additional equipment such as Solar or Lithium Battery Pack.