Leisure battery not charging when driven

[Tom Davison]

hi guys my first thread but I seem to have another problem with our new t6 204 4 motion ocean. The leisure battery's don't seem to charge at all when driven. The G symbol seems to appear in the control unit but what else should be showing for example should I see a positive figure appear in the amps?

 

[Hotel California]

Hi and welcome on your first pist,
Does it charge on hook-up?
There are many things that could cause this , try and read some treads about battery charging problems and start from there.

But if my new T6 had this problem i'd go to the dealer....

 

[WelshGas]

hi guys my first thread but I seem to have another problem with our new t6 204 4 motion ocean. The leisure battery's don't seem to charge at all when driven. The G symbol seems to appear in the control unit but what else should be showing for example should I see a positive figure appear in the amps?

As you are under Warranty - VW.

The "G" symbol only appears when on Mains Electrical Hookup.

EDIT - Plug symbol on EHU and G symbol on Alternator charging.

The Control Panel should show a voltage of 13 - 14.4v when driving after the Engine battery has been charged via the alternator.

 

[bigmac77]

As you are under Warranty - VW.

The "G" symbol only appears when on Mains Electrical Hookup.

The Control Panel should show a voltage of 13 - 14.4v when driving after the Engine battery has been charged via the alternator.

Is the T6 different to the T5? On my T5 the G symbol appears on alternator charging, hook up symbol is a Euro style plug symbol.

 

[Stoneybroke]

It could be that the new Smart Alternator is changing the way the Leisure Battery charges; it is not a constant high rate, so what you see on the control panel may e different on a Blue motion engine...

A couple of articles: -
http://www.ajrpowersolutions.co.uk/smart-regenerative-split-charging-problem-and-solution/

http://www.ajrpowersolutions.co.uk/smart-regenerative-split-charging-problem-and-solution/

 

[WelshGas]

Is the T6 different to the T5? On my T5 the G symbol appears on alternator charging, hook up symbol is a Euro style plug symbol.

Sorry, my mistake. Our new cat was trying to jump out of the 1st floor kitchen window - he succeeded. Yes G symbol on Alternator charging and Plug symbol on EHU.
The Voltage should still rise to 14.4 V once the Engine battery is charged.

Thanks for pointing out the error.

The cat has just done it again.!!!!!!!!!

 

[Wrinkly Ninja]

Sorry, my mistake. Our new cat was trying to jump out of the 1st floor kitchen window - he succeeded. Yes G symbol on Alternator charging and Plug symbol on EHU.
The Voltage should still rise to 14.4 V once the Engine battery is charged.

Thanks for pointing out the error.

The cat has just done it again.!!!!!!!!!

Stratospheric Catastrophic!

 

[Loz]

Engine running and heater on;

Generator symbol
Voltage over 14V
Positive charge current

 

[Tom Davison]

Thanks for the responses. Hi yes the battery seems to charge on electric hookup but it doesn't when the engine on see picture I took of the control unit whilst engine on and put the heater on.

 

[snowy55]

Thanks for the responses. Hi yes the battery seems to charge on electric hookup but it doesn't when the engine on see picture I took of the control unit whilst engine on and put the heater on.

View attachment 17834

The heater takes an awful lot of amps on initial start up, mine gives readings similar to yours.
Does the amp reading lose the negative icon without the heater on and the engine has run for a while?

 

[Loz]

Thanks for the responses. Hi yes the battery seems to charge on electric hookup but it doesn't when the engine on see picture I took of the control unit whilst engine on and put the heater on.

View attachment 17834

Possible split charge relay problem or fuse gone I would think..

 

[Tom Davison]

When driving and nothing on I get 0.0 amp and same 12.(something) volt no positive reading at all.

 

[calikev]

It obviously is not charging then

 

[Tom Davison]

Booked in with Cordwallis to get it looked at.

 

[Jabberwocky]

Booked in with Cordwallis to get it looked at.

Tom, what was the diagnostic? I think I may have the same problem. JW

 

[Loz]

Tom, what was the diagnostic? I think I may have the same problem. JW

Really? When did this start?

 

[Jabberwocky]

Really? When did this start?

This morning. I noticed the charge level was 90% which is strange as it has been at 100% since delivery (I've been keeping an eye on it) even after using aux heater for about an hour on Saturday. Fridge and Aux heater been switched off since. Admittedly we've only done 150 miles. Last journey was Monday and was about 16 miles. Charges fine on hook up at about 14.3v + 5.4 Amps.

 

[Loz]

I have noticed on occasion it not being charged and is because the alternator is under ecu control and can be set to idle, and whilst in the mode you can also see current flow from the leisure side across to the vehicle side and this is normal because our vehicles have a relay for split charge.

 

[Jabberwocky]

I have noticed on occasion it not being charged and is because the alternator is under ecu control and can be set to idle, and whilst in the mode you can also see current flow from the leisure side across to the vehicle side and this is normal because our vehicles have a relay for split charge.

OK, thanks for that little gem. These vehicles are so complex! I will resist high tailing it to the VW Van Center just yet and see how the next few days go. Tanks again for your help/reassurance. JW

 

[Jabberwocky]

OK, thanks for that little gem. These vehicles are so complex! I will resist high tailing it to the VW Van Center just yet and see how the next few days go. Tanks again for your help/reassurance. JW

@Loz Normal service resumed this morning!

 

[Loz]

I am currently (no pun intended) thinking about inserting a Sterling power DC-DC charge controller after the charge control relay to prevent this happening and allow the vehicle to charge the leisure batteries to 100%.

 

[Jabberwocky]

I am currently (no pun intended) thinking about inserting a Sterling power DC-DC charge controller after the charge control relay to prevent this happening and allow the vehicle to charge the leisure batteries to 100%.

Hmmm....not sure I'll be brave enough, what with my Cali just over a week old! If it only goes as low as 90% during the switching I think I'll live with it for the time being. My only concern is two/three or more days wild camping and would the batteries hold up. A quick look round the forum tell me I should be OK if I'm not too heavy on the aux heater use.

 

[Loz]

Looking at the cost of SP's 60A unit, it would be cheaper to have a solar unit added and have no issues.

 

[Jabberwocky]

Looking at the cost of SP's 60A unit, it would be cheaper to have a solar unit added and have no issues.

I'm no guru by any standard but would 60A be enough? I read somewhere that some of the newer alternators push out up to 200A and also the Cali has "absorbed glass mat" (AGM) batteries. Don't they need a rather special charging regime? Would one of the SP units handle that? (it's all a bit too complex for a marketing guy!!)

 

[Loz]

I'm no guru by any standard but would 60A be enough? I read somewhere that some of the newer alternators push out up to 200A and also the Cali has "absorbed glass mat" (AGM) batteries. Don't they need a rather special charging regime? Would one of the SP units handle that? (it's all a bit too complex for a marketing guy!!)

The leisure battery circuit is fused at 80A so a 60A charge would be sufficient as it doesn't get 80A stuffed into it, but 60A is the most it will draw likewise if if I bought a 40A unit the max it would draw is 40A.
However, their 60A unit is £380 which I would rather spend one one of Rogers Solar systems..