Is my fridge draining my leisure battery in hot weather?

[PurpleLizC789]

I can't decide whether our leisure battery drains more than usual. If the van sits on the drive for 2-3 weeks then the battery will drain down to 40-50%. I'm not sure if that's normal, maybe it is?

This weekend we went away in the hot weather, charged the battery up fully at home the day before we left as we were staying in a pub car park the first night (so no hook up). I put the fridge on a couple of hours before we left and then we drove 2 hours to our pub stop, so it should have been fully charged on arrival (I didn't think to use max charge function though, so I guess this is the equivalent of 80% even though it shows as 'full' on the diagram). We camped overnight and the only power draw would have been the fridge and a little bit of lighting (given that the evenings are light and we were in the pub, this wasn't much). The following day we only drove 20-30 minutes to park somewhere for a walk and then 20-30 minutes at the end of the day to a campsite with hook-up. On arrival at the campsite on day 2 we noticed that the battery was down to 50%. I couldn't quite believe that we used 50% of the battery to camp 1 night off hook-up! Last year we camped 4 nights in a row without hook-up in a hired van with only a few short drives to re-charge the battery.

Given that the only power draw is the fridge, I'm wondering if this is more of a problem in hot weather and also in a black van?! We've only had the van since November so this is the first time we've used it in warmer weather. As we were only away 2 nights the fridge wasn't very full, so I'm wondering if I need to try to fill the fridge up more in hot weather to make it easier for it to stay cool. I'm wondering what other people's experiences are?

 

[yossarian]

sits on the drive for 2-3 weeks then the battery will drain down to 40-50%. I'm not sure if that's normal, maybe it is?

It's normal.

To keep your batteries in good condition you should try and keep them close to 100% charge for as much time as possible.

If they have been in a state of partial charge for a long time then you need to float charge them for number of days to remove the lead sulphate on the plates.

 

[PurpleLizC789]

It's normal.

To keep your batteries in good condition you should try and keep them close to 100% charge for as much time as possible.

If they have been in a state of partial charge for a long time then you need to float charge them for number of days to remove the lead sulphate on the plates.

Thanks for confirming that this is a normal rate for losing charge when the vehicle is not being used. We are tending to go away for a weekend every 3 weeks or so, usually do drive a bit in between but not always as the van isn't our daily drive. I don't think I have ever left it longer than 3 weeks before charging up to full at home if we aren't going to go to a campsite with hook-up so it hasn't been in partial charge for a long time - unless that is what you mean by a long time?

What do you mean by 'float charge', how do I do that?

 

[WelshGas]

I can't decide whether our leisure battery drains more than usual. If the van sits on the drive for 2-3 weeks then the battery will drain down to 40-50%. I'm not sure if that's normal, maybe it is?

This weekend we went away in the hot weather, charged the battery up fully at home the day before we left as we were staying in a pub car park the first night (so no hook up). I put the fridge on a couple of hours before we left and then we drove 2 hours to our pub stop, so it should have been fully charged on arrival (I didn't think to use max charge function though, so I guess this is the equivalent of 80% even though it shows as 'full' on the diagram). We camped overnight and the only power draw would have been the fridge and a little bit of lighting (given that the evenings are light and we were in the pub, this wasn't much). The following day we only drove 20-30 minutes to park somewhere for a walk and then 20-30 minutes at the end of the day to a campsite with hook-up. On arrival at the campsite on day 2 we noticed that the battery was down to 50%. I couldn't quite believe that we used 50% of the battery to camp 1 night off hook-up! Last year we camped 4 nights in a row without hook-up in a hired van with only a few short drives to re-charge the battery.

Given that the only power draw is the fridge, I'm wondering if this is more of a problem in hot weather and also in a black van?! We've only had the van since November so this is the first time we've used it in warmer weather. As we were only away 2 nights the fridge wasn't very full, so I'm wondering if I need to try to fill the fridge up more in hot weather to make it easier for it to stay cool. I'm wondering what other people's experiences are?

1. Cool the fridge for at least 12 hrs on hookup before your trip, on maximum, then turn down when loaded.
2. The voltage is more important than the % calculation which is an iffy algorithm.

 

[yossarian]

What do you mean by 'float charge', how do I do that?

Plugging in on EHU for a few days will take care of this. You are looking for a sustained charge voltage of about 13.8V

Depending on how convenient EHU is at home you might consider a solar panel.

 

[Steve1]

I can't decide whether our leisure battery drains more than usual. If the van sits on the drive for 2-3 weeks then the battery will drain down to 40-50%. I'm not sure if that's normal, maybe it is?

This weekend we went away in the hot weather, charged the battery up fully at home the day before we left as we were staying in a pub car park the first night (so no hook up). I put the fridge on a couple of hours before we left and then we drove 2 hours to our pub stop, so it should have been fully charged on arrival (I didn't think to use max charge function though, so I guess this is the equivalent of 80% even though it shows as 'full' on the diagram). We camped overnight and the only power draw would have been the fridge and a little bit of lighting (given that the evenings are light and we were in the pub, this wasn't much). The following day we only drove 20-30 minutes to park somewhere for a walk and then 20-30 minutes at the end of the day to a campsite with hook-up. On arrival at the campsite on day 2 we noticed that the battery was down to 50%. I couldn't quite believe that we used 50% of the battery to camp 1 night off hook-up! Last year we camped 4 nights in a row without hook-up in a hired van with only a few short drives to re-charge the battery.

Given that the only power draw is the fridge, I'm wondering if this is more of a problem in hot weather and also in a black van?! We've only had the van since November so this is the first time we've used it in warmer weather. As we were only away 2 nights the fridge wasn't very full, so I'm wondering if I need to try to fill the fridge up more in hot weather to make it easier for it to stay cool. I'm wondering what other people's experiences are?

If your leisure batteries really are dropping to 40-50% in 3 weeks of sitting with nothing powered from them then they are definitely no good any more and one or both need replacing. But do check the voltage using Welshgas's voltage table above, just incase your percentage reading is wrong it is not hugely reliable compared to voltage.

 

[PurpleLizC789]

Plugging in on EHU for a few days will take care of this. You are looking for a sustained charge voltage of about 13.8V

Depending on how convenient EHU is at home you might consider a solar panel.

Thanks, I could try to do that, although we have to feed the cable through a downstairs window at the moment, so I can't leave it hooked up overnight. I would have to charge during the day, unplug overnight and could then repeat that for several days if that will do the trick.

I am considering solar panels in the longer term, just don't have any money to spend at the moment on anything new.

 

[PurpleLizC789]

I will start looking at voltage, I have only been looking at the diagram and how many bars are showing as charged, so I need to get more familiar with what the voltage should be - I will start taking note of that as I guess that's more telling.

The battery charged up ok at home before our trip from around 50% to full with less than 12 hours plugged in but at the campsite on day 2 we were plugged in for 16-17 hours and only charged from 50% to 80% (again I was just looking at the diagram not voltage), so I'm not sure what to make of that.

We do need to make our first trip to a dealers with warranty issues, as, in addition to the bellows leaking, on this first trip in hot weather they have peeled away from the roof in the front corners ☹

 

[Roger Boeken]

I can't decide whether our leisure battery drains more than usual. If the van sits on the drive for 2-3 weeks then the battery will drain down to 40-50%. I'm not sure if that's normal, maybe it is?

This weekend we went away in the hot weather, charged the battery up fully at home the day before we left as we were staying in a pub car park the first night (so no hook up). I put the fridge on a couple of hours before we left and then we drove 2 hours to our pub stop, so it should have been fully charged on arrival (I didn't think to use max charge function though, so I guess this is the equivalent of 80% even though it shows as 'full' on the diagram). We camped overnight and the only power draw would have been the fridge and a little bit of lighting (given that the evenings are light and we were in the pub, this wasn't much). The following day we only drove 20-30 minutes to park somewhere for a walk and then 20-30 minutes at the end of the day to a campsite with hook-up. On arrival at the campsite on day 2 we noticed that the battery was down to 50%. I couldn't quite believe that we used 50% of the battery to camp 1 night off hook-up! Last year we camped 4 nights in a row without hook-up in a hired van with only a few short drives to re-charge the battery.

Given that the only power draw is the fridge, I'm wondering if this is more of a problem in hot weather and also in a black van?! We've only had the van since November so this is the first time we've used it in warmer weather. As we were only away 2 nights the fridge wasn't very full, so I'm wondering if I need to try to fill the fridge up more in hot weather to make it easier for it to stay cool. I'm wondering what other people's experiences are?

you don't mention the cooling setting you use : 3,4 or maybe even more ?

 

[PurpleLizC789]

you don't mention the cooling setting you use : 3,4 or maybe even more ?

I always use setting 2 for the fridge, so not a high setting.

 

[CaliforniaSeb]

It's normal.

To keep your batteries in good condition you should try and keep them close to 100% charge for as much time as possible.

If they have been in a state of partial charge for a long time then you need to float charge them for number of days to remove the lead sulphate on the plates.

Getting solar is great for keeping your batteries topped up if the van is idle for a few weeks and not in the garage. We no onger need to plug in. Even the UK sun is enough to keep them topped up at 100%

 

[colintfcolintf]

Getting solar is great for keeping your batteries topped up if the van is idle for a few weeks and not in the garage. We no onger need to plug in. Even the UK sun is enough to keep them topped up at 100%

How many panels do you have, 2 or 3? Many thanks

 

[CaliforniaSeb]

How many panels do you have, 2 or 3? Many thanks

We have two panels (200w). I imagine that 1 panel (100W) would keep the batteries topped up. We didn't need hookup on our recent France/Spain trip with two panels.

 

[dspuk]

We have two panels (200w). I imagine that 1 panel (100W) would keep the batteries topped up. We didn't need hookup on our recent France/Spain trip with two panels.

Agree. We have one panel and it's fine to keep on the drive and keep topped up month on month without having to plug in. Get's us about 5 days off EHU in reasonable weather, 2 more than you would get without.

For the OP question. Draining to 40%, even with the iffy calculation, does not sound normal. Either there is a parasitic drain or the leisures are failing in some way. Or they are only running off one and the fuse has gone.

The weather will not be causing the symptoms.

 

[Norfolk Jim]

So I'm leaving mine plugged in 24/7 at home while it sits in my drive. If I go out I always plug in when back. I assume this will keep them in top condition. My old T5 had a compressor fridge which ran off gaz so even though van only had one battery o/a it lasted 2 full days so if fridge on Cali kept on low - say 2 - 3 I'd like to thinkwe'd get 3 days at least??

Is there an app that would connect to my T6.1 to show actual battery health??

 

[RichardH]

It's normal.


Surely it's not normal? I have never seen anything like that drop in so short a time. My batteries are now well over 10 years old, but they still retain most of the charge after a month of inactivity, before the monthly plug-in session. As has been suggested, perhaps there is an issue with the batteries, but could there be an issue with charging or might there be an unsuspected drain of current? Does the CCP confirm that the batteries are charging when you are driving? I once arrived at a destination, expecting to have fully recharged, only to find that the top-up had not happened at all (just an unexplained one-off). Does it show absolutely zero flow when everything is switched off? It should do. Worth checking?
A few years ago I tracked down a mystery loss of charge to the two pin socket behind the flap on the interior side panel behind the passenger seat (thanks to info on this forum). I use the socket for an anti-mosquito plug-in, which itself has an on/off switch and lights up when it is on. But despite the switch being in the off position and the indicator light being off, the socket was still taking a tiny trickle of power. Barely noticeable when moving sites frequently, but a potential problem when parked longer term. Removing the unit from the plug when not in use solved the problem.

 

[yossarian]

You have a T5, OP has a 6.1. The 6.1 has inter alia J608 permanently powered & a USB SMPS. 50% indicated on the control panel is around 70% actual (the T6.1 shows you battery 0% at about 50% which is how you should treat Pb batteries).

I park up my T6.1 for 2 to 3 months at a time usually mid winter. I have good stats on the battery voltage as it's logged to a server in my house. My results are skewed by a 100W solar panel and a bridge between the vehicle and leisure busses but I do see the 3 batteries run down to 12V over about 2 months. I'm careful to start with 3 fully charged batteries.

It's not quite apples with apples but still useful info.

 

[RichardH]

Wow - that's a big difference. Thanks for the clarification. I had not realised that there was such a change between the T5 and T6.

 

[Azteccamper]

Wow - that's a big difference. Thanks for the clarification. I had not realised that there was such a change between the T5 and T6.

The T5.1 is a much simpler beast in so many ways - I often think of ‘upgrading’ but come to the same conclusion - why? What will I really get extra for £30k

 

[PurpleLizC789]

You have a T5, OP has a 6.1. The 6.1 has inter alia J608 permanently powered & a USB SMPS. 50% indicated on the control panel is around 70% actual (the T6.1 shows you battery 0% at about 50% which is how you should treat Pb batteries).

I park up my T6.1 for 2 to 3 months at a time usually mid winter. I have good stats on the battery voltage as it's logged to a server in my house. My results are skewed by a 100W solar panel and a bridge between the vehicle and leisure busses but I do see the 3 batteries run down to 12V over about 2 months. I'm careful to start with 3 fully charged batteries.

It's not quite apples with apples but still useful info.

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That’s really interesting. When you say that 50% indicated on the control panel is 70% actual, do you mean that the voltage corresponding to the diagram showing 50% is actually 12.3 V (using the table supplied by @WelshGas) and similarly if the diagram shows 0% when it is really 50% then the 0% diagram corresponds to 12.1V?

If that's the case then it's somewhat reassuring as I've been paranoid about damaging the battery if I let it run down to 40% or below and this means that it wouldn't actually be damaging.

I realise though that the take home message is to focus on volts and not the diagram so I'll keep a close eye on that from now on and I will probably ask VW to check the battery too when I take it in for the various warranty items that now need to be addressed.

 

[yossarian]

I realise though that the take home message is to focus on volts and not the diagram

As one of the few who has a 6.1 and, to some extent, understands the metering system I recommend following the bar graph completely. It's accurate unless you've messed around with your wiring or you have an early model 6.1 (2020-) and a blown cube fuse.

Your 6.1 will show around zero bars at about 12.0V

 

[PurpleLizC789]

As one of the few who has a 6.1 and, to some extent, understand the metering system I recommend following the bar graph completely. It's accurate unless you've messed around with your wiring or you have an early model 6.1 (2020-) and a blown cube fuse.

Your 6.1 will show around zero bars at about 12.0V

I have now printed out a copy of the table to keep in the van