Dual Battery Problems

Submitted: Monday, Dec 19, 2005 at 17:24

ThreadID: 28995 Views:2171 Replies:6 FollowUps:3

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travellinglegend25

Hi
I have a Toyota Hi ace Campervan which is very good except the dual battery used for the van is playing up.
I have a 75 amp large battery, which whn I am driving is charged by the car battery.I purchased a new battery as the previous one was being drained too quickly.

The same problem is happening with this battery. I only have a fridge(45ltrs) and 3 small strip lights and small digital clock. The battery is getting so drained after aonly a day, that I amunable to charge up the battery!!

Can anyone give me an indication how many hours I should be getting from the battery when stationary, charging the above items, and can you think of a reason why it is getting so drained so quick that it is too 'dead' to charge up?
Thanks

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Reply By: brian - Monday, Dec 19, 2005 at 17:34

Monday, Dec 19, 2005 at 17:34

what type of fridge do you have ??????????

AnswerID: 144549

Follow Up By: travellinglegend25 - Friday, Dec 23, 2005 at 15:22

Friday, Dec 23, 2005 at 15:22

Brian, Thanks for your interest. I have a 45 litre Engels fridge, 12 volt or 240 volt only, not gas.
For your information.

FollowupID: 398787

Reply By: Crackles - Monday, Dec 19, 2005 at 20:31

Monday, Dec 19, 2005 at 20:31

One of 2 things are happening. Either the cars charging system is not putting enough into the batteries or the load on the batteries each night is too great for the 75 amp hour rating.
If your 45 litre fridge is a 3 way unit & are running it on 12 volt then I suggest you use it on gas instead each night as it is far more efficient. With about a 9 amp draw it would not last the night. The strip lights I asume are fluro's so should barely effect power usage.
Other things that may effect the charge are poor connections, slipping alternator belt or undersized or faulty alternator.
As Brian said, what type of fridge do you run???
Cheers Craig...................

AnswerID: 144574

Follow Up By: travellinglegend25 - Friday, Dec 23, 2005 at 15:25

Friday, Dec 23, 2005 at 15:25

Craig, Thanks for your reply.
I have a Engels 12 or 240 volt only, no gas. An alternator problem could be the problem. I will have to get an auto electrician to check it out after the Christmas period.

FollowupID: 398788

Reply By: Eric Experience. - Monday, Dec 19, 2005 at 21:00

Monday, Dec 19, 2005 at 21:00

Trvavellinglegend.
Sounds like the battery is not being charged. Get youself a multimeter and measure the battery when the motor is running. it should read about 14 volts, if it reads 12 volts your charging cct is faulty. Eric

AnswerID: 144581

Follow Up By: travellinglegend25 - Friday, Dec 23, 2005 at 15:25

Friday, Dec 23, 2005 at 15:25

Thanks Eric, for the advice, much appreciated- Gordon

FollowupID: 398789

Reply By: drivesafe - Tuesday, Dec 20, 2005 at 00:04

Tuesday, Dec 20, 2005 at 00:04

Hi travellinglegend25, one thing you haven’t mentioned is the amount of time you actually spend driving, each day.

Not knowing your daily power requirements but you would probably need to drive for at least 4 to 6 hours a day to get an decent sort of charge back into your battery to makeup for the previous nights use.

Are you doing anywhere near this sort of driving time.

Cheers

AnswerID: 144619

Reply By: travellinglegend25 - Friday, Dec 23, 2005 at 15:28

Friday, Dec 23, 2005 at 15:28

Hi Drivesafe, Yes I am driving about 4-6 hours daily, so that is why it is most annoying!

At the moment I am charging the battery up in order that I can get enough charge in it to get it checked over by the auto electrician. Thanks for the advice and please come back if neccessary!- regards Gordon

AnswerID: 145263

Reply By: Member - Geoff M (Newcastle) - Friday, Dec 23, 2005 at 15:42

Friday, Dec 23, 2005 at 15:42

Gordon,
The most ignored part of the charging circuit and the easiest to fix is the fan belt.
If the belt is old and deteriorating it'll slip and the alternator won't spin fast enough.
A less than optimum fan belt will usually drive the water pump ok but not the alternator.

Geoff.