Leisure battery not charging when driven

[kp64zl]

Voltage at 80 amp fuse = zero with engine running and also with engine off....thanks @Loz

PS, can I just disconnect the battery without worry of electronic /computer mishaps?

 

[Loz]

Voltage at 80 amp fuse = zero with engine running and also with engine off....thanks @Loz

PS, can I just disconnect the battery without worry of electronic /computer mishaps?

Yes, its fine for up to 18 hours

 

[Alied]

Yes, its fine for up to 18 hours

Hi @Loz where is the best place to buy this 100A fuse to keep as a spare?

 

[Loz]

Hi @Loz where is the best place to buy this 100A fuse to keep as a spare?

12v planet, or Fleabay its a 100a midi fuse.

 

[Alied]

12v planet, or Fleabay its a 100a midi fuse.

Thanks.

 

[kp64zl]

Hi @Loz

Thanks for your advice -- In the end by the time the 100A fuse arrived, the van was due a service so I let VW look at it.

In the interim I noted that actually ~13v was being measured at battery (on the victron controller) during engine running. Battery still measured 13 volts or so when engine off - but immediately dropped to anything between 5v and 10v when parking heater switched on (which meant the parking heater switched off immediately)> I was starting to think that the battery was the problem instead.

VW had a look and found that there was a loose connection at the leisure battery terminal -- having tightened up the connection all seems fine now. I'll test over the next few days.

Thanks ever so much!

 

[Brownbetty]

Engine running and heater on;
View attachment 17824
Generator symbol
Voltage over 14V
Positive charge current

Hi Loz, I'm having troubles with my starter battery, after abt wk of standing it just starts, it hasn't had any long run outs for a while, all the batteries are newish, it's a 57 plate might a have the diode issue.
Here are some pics with engine running & heater on, heater on without engine running, & without anything on.

 

[Loz]

Hi Loz, I'm having troubles with my starter battery, after abt wk of standing it just starts, it hasn't had any long run outs for a while, all the batteries are newish, it's a 57 plate might a have the diode issue.
Here are some pics with engine running & heater on, heater on without engine running, & without anything on.

That all looks normal from a leisure battery point of view and shows its charging okay.
none of that shows your starter battery.
In the extreme cold, all batteries struggle a bit and the starter battery can be depleted by the alarm, anything you leave plugged into the centre dash socket, dash cams and dongles left plugged into the ODB port etc.
My starter battery was down to 50% after 2 weeks in the cold, I just had to run it to charge it up. (can't get it outside to plug it in at the moment)

 

[Brownbetty]

That all looks normal from a leisure battery point of view and shows its charging okay.
none of that shows your starter battery.
In the extreme cold, all batteries struggle a bit and the starter battery can be depleted by the alarm, anything you leave plugged into the centre dash socket, dash cams and dongles left plugged into the ODB port etc.
My starter battery was down to 50% after 2 weeks in the cold, I just had to run it to charge it up. (can't get it outside to plug it in at the moment)

Thanks Liz, that's put my mind to rest, on the pic that shows the heater on with the engine running the 0.02A is showing yours was 8.08A what does that mean, sorry not electrical minded.

 

[Loz]

Thanks Loz, that's put my mind to rest, on the pic that shows the heater on with the engine running the 0.02A is showing yours was 8.08A what does that mean, sorry not electrical minded.

It means your alternator is covering the draw from the heater.

 

[Brownbetty]

It means your alternator is covering the draw from the heater.

Thanks Loz, but why was yours 8.8a & mine 0.02a is it yours was on a higher temperature?

 

[WelshGas]

Thanks Loz, but why was yours 8.8a & mine 0.02a is it yours was on a higher temperature?

The Parking Heater uses a lot of current when starting up. Once upto operating temperature it uses substantially less.

 

[kp64zl]

Downward spike is parking heater switching on before I got the loose battery terminal connection fixed

 

[Brownbetty]

The Parking Heater uses a lot of current when starting up. Once upto operating temperature it uses substantially less.

Cheers,

 

[Loz]

Thanks Loz, but why was yours 8.8a & mine 0.02a is it yours was on a higher temperature?

Do your test again and turn the engine off, once the engine stops charging the batteries, you’ll see your current draw increase from the batteries.

 

[Brownbetty]

Do your test again and turn the engine off, once the engine stops charging the batteries, you’ll see your current draw increase from the batteries.

Will do, thanks again