I’ve just looked at my leisure battery charger—advice needed!

[dant4calicoach]

Hi gang!

So, the van is having a habitation check done tomorrow. Naturally, I wanted to have a nosey at stuff in advance, so I took off the panel to check the state of the battery charger.

I found a rather new looking thing, but I’m worried it’s not suitable for the van? Here are some photos:



Now, the battery charges off the 240v (it’s noisy with the fans when first plugged in, but charges fine and goes quiet) and everything shows up fine on the overhead panel on the front (it shows charge, voltage etc). I’ve ID’d the charger as this one: https://electroquestuk.com/product/abc1220-fully-automatic-marine-leisure-battery-charger-12v-20a/

The previous owner serviced and built canal boats for a living, so maybe it’s used for those usually, and he crossed that knowledge over to the van?

Anyway, all advice gratefully accepted on whether I should carry on using it or condemn the electrics! As I say, everything on the van works fine.

Thanks!

 

[ArcticMatt]

I have that same charger on my Syncro. Travelvolts off the T4 forum sold them. Perfectly good charger but quite noisy though. It should be perfectly suitable but just needs cleaning by the looks of it. All that grime won't help.

I upgraded my exclusive to the Fraron charger. There's dual output so you can connect the starter battery too. There's a few more threads on here about the FraRon and the original Westfalia unit going up in smoke.

 

[dant4calicoach]

I have that same charger on my Syncro. Travelvolts off the T4 forum sold them. Perfectly good charger but quite noisy though. It should be perfectly suitable but just needs cleaning by the looks of it. All that grime won't help.

Amazing, thanks Matt! It’s great to hear that you’ve got the same one. And, yeah, it needs a good clean in there. I’m a bit embarrassed now!

 

[ArcticMatt]

Amazing, thanks Matt! It’s great to hear that you’ve got the same one. And, yeah, it needs a good clean in there. I’m a bit embarrassed now!

Don't be embarrassed. It's amazing how much dirt and much collects under there. Mine was mining when I first opened it up. I was going to show a photo of where my charger but the wiring I've done is embarrassing (was done in a hurry for holiday last year). Still need to get back and sort it proper

 

[JR...........]

Hi Guys, I'm in the process of replacing mine with the Fraron charger in my T4 Westfalia. Can you advise on the correct Voltage I need to select?

 

[Ch1pbutty]

Without being rude - what do the instructions for the charger say?

 

[JR...........]

Without being rude - what do the instructions for the charger say?

The instructions are in German

 

[TripleBee]

The instructions are in German

And what do the German instructions say?
Use some Google Translate, or try to find an English manual (if possible) online?

 

[JR...........]

4. Setting the slide switches

Your battery data sheet is required for this, as it contains the charging parameters of your battery (final charging voltage and trickle charging voltage). If you do not have the data sheet, contact your battery supplier or the battery manufacturer. The stored voltage values for the individual slide switch settings are noted below. Compare these values with the specifications in the battery data sheet and move the slide switches to the appropriate position.

Final charging voltage at the main output (not for charging the starter battery) in the position:

>>>>> Low charging profile: 14.4V ±0.1V

>>>> LiFePO4 charging profile: 14.4V ±0.1V

>>>> High charging profile: 14.7V ±0.1V

Trickle charging voltage adjustable in all charging profiles:

>> 13.2V; 13.5V; 13.8V

If the specifications in the battery data sheet differ from the settings on the charger, this charger cannot be used for your battery.

The voltage selector switch on the bottom of the charger must be set to 230V or 115V depending on the mains voltage.

5. Installation and commissioning

1. Before starting work, disconnect the 230V connection from the vehicle to the shore power connection and secure it against unintentional restart.

2. Disconnect the cold appliance plug from the old / defective charger. 3. Remove the 6-pin connector plug from the old / defective charger.

4. If there is another 6-pin plug on the old / defective charger, disconnect this as well. 5. If not, remove this as well.

 

[JR...........]

Battery spec, sorry I'm not clued up on electrics

 

[Ch1pbutty]

At a guess, go low…

14.4v low charge profile

Trickle 13.2v

230v setting (as you would plug into 230/240v mains on EHU)

Send a message to the manufacturers; tech teams are normally very quiet so welcome questions. They would rather assist than risk having the unit returned.

 

[TripleBee]

If you look at what voltage my charger works, it's charging at 14,2V, and trickle charging at about 13,5V if I am not mistaken.
In fact, everything above 12,8V is good.
So charging can be done at 14+V, and trickle at 13+V.
Just avoid everything above 14,5V as this is at the very high end of working voltage of 12V components.

 

[JR...........]

Tha

At a guess, go low…

14.4v low charge profile

Trickle 13.2v

230v setting (as you would plug into 230/240v mains on EHU)

Send a message to the manufacturers; tech teams are normally very quiet so welcome questions. They would rather assist than risk having the unit returned.

nks, I have already messaged them

 

[secret lemonade drinker]

If it has a fan, you have a built in vacuum cleaner, which will need it's bag periodically emptied