Help trying to diagnose battery charging issue

[dibman]

Hi folks, long time lurker and have finally purchased our first California - a 2019 beach! We took it away last weekend and are going away again tomorrow but there seems to be an issue with the leisure battery charging from hookup. Here’s what I’ve ascertained so far…

The battery supplies power ok (lights and sockets work).

Hookup works in that I get supply from the 3 pin socket behind the passenger seat.

The battery charges ok from the alternator (tested using a cigarette lighter voltage monitor whilst driving earlier today - leisure battery voltage went up).

The issue is that the battery doesn’t seem to be charging on hookup. I have left it plugged in at home for 6 hours and the voltage on the monitor has not gone up. It’s been at 12.3v the whole time. Also checked on the engine battery and this shows 13.2v (just checked to see if the voltage meter was working!).

I had a quick look at the battery connections under the passenger seat. Don’t really know what I’m looking at but none of the connectors seem loose.

Should I expect to see an increase in battery voltage within 6 hours of being plugged into hookup?

Thanks in advance. This forum has already been a valuable resource - just couldn’t find a specific answer to this issue.

 

[dibman]

Might be worth adding that it’s 6 years old and has done 28k. I don’t know its history (bought from a dealer) so there is a chance that the existing battery might need replacing, but I would have expected it to charge even if it’s not able to run at capacity.

 

[vbk1975]

Might be worth adding that it’s 6 years old and has done 28k. I don’t know its history (bought from a dealer) so there is a chance that the existing battery might need replacing, but I would have expected it to charge even if it’s not able to run at capacity.

Does the Mains Plug Symbol appear on the Camper Panel when plugged in? Lower Right, it replaces the Battery Symbol or G in a circle (when engine running)

 

[dibman]

There isn’t a camper panel on this van - as far as I can tell there isn’t any information displayed about the battery on the dash board. I can monitor the battery voltage with a cigarette lighter style 12v device that I got from amazon.

 

[grumpyrs]

Have you checked the trip switch in the rear compartment where the jack is kept, I’m only basing this from mine which is 2016 Beach. They’re quite high up and difficult to see.

 

[dibman]

I just checked and it is in the up position (based on feel). Thanks for the help so far…still not charging though from what I can tell. Would you expect the voltage to go up after 6 hours on hookup?

 

[KevH]

Which 12v socket are you plugging your tester in to?

 

[dibman]

Which 12v socket are you plugging your tester in to?

The one behind the passenger seat (next to the 24v socket). I also tested the one next to the sliding door, which shows the same voltage.

 

[WelshGas]

The one behind the passenger seat (next to the 24v socket). I also tested the one next to the sliding door, which shows the same voltage.

So do you have a Mains 3 pin socket that works on Hookup?
The Ocean has such a socket, does the Beach?

 

[dibman]

So do you have a Mains 3 pin socket that works on Hookup?
The Ocean has such a socket, does the Beach?

Yes, the 24v 3 pin socket works on hookup. It’s just that the battery doesn’t charge. All the sockets work (ie 24v on hookup, 12v whether on hookup or not).

 

[WelshGas]

Yes, the 24v 3 pin socket works on hookup. It’s just that the battery doesn’t charge. All the sockets work (ie 24v on hookup, 12v whether on hookup or not).

You need to check the Mains plug into the Charger. It is a black , electric kettle type plug, and can commonly come loose.

 

[dibman]

Thanks! Where is it located?

 

[WelshGas]

Thanks! Where is it located?

I didn't have a Beach but I believe, if it is factory fitted, behind the trim near the Mains RCD trip switch in the vehicle Jack compartment.

 

[dibman]

Great, thank you! It is factory fitted afaik. We’re on the road now but will have a look when we get to the site. Hoping it is as simple as plugging something back in. Thanks again!

 

[WelshGas]

Great, thank you! It is factory fitted afaik. We’re on the road now but will have a look when we get to the site. Hoping it is as simple as plugging something back in. Thanks again!

If the mains plug is properly connected to charger then check the 10 amp fuses under the front passenger seat. One of them is for the charger output. It's position in the fuse box can vary between vehicles but it is under the passenger seat. Turn seat 90o and slide backwards for easy access.