We have recently purchase our first caravan but are now thinking about getting battery pack put in. Can anybody let us know how long it can sit unused before going flat eg 3 mths, 6 mths & then how can it be recharged. We should have done it when the van was built but have now decided we need the Eco mover to put the van on the front slab.
jules47 said
09:00 PM Jan 18, 2014
Greetings Griswald - Can't give you a technical answer to your question - but I know a lot of people have batteries under the dinette seat, or in the front boot, if you have one.
I am sure someone will come along with wisdom - but you could also post your question in the "Technical" sub forum - lots of knowledge on there!!! Possible the first question they will ask will be - what caravan have you got? and other stuff about the van - ie does it have a front boot. And how are you going to power the batteries, etc.
Good luck - and enjoy your travel, and this forum - read the whole of the sub-forums (or ones that interest you) you will learn heaps!
copper1 said
09:10 PM Jan 18, 2014
Griswald I have recently purchased a camper trolley to move my van about might be worth looking into, as it does not have to be fitted to the van and if you sell the van you can use it on the next. Regarding battery's our first van had the battery fitted under the bed and out current van has them fitted in the front boot.
Don't care where is put really but thanks heaps for advise Jules.
Griswald said
09:37 PM Jan 18, 2014
The trolley is a little out of our price range but it is a good suggestion. I am not really about the location of the battery pack. Thanks for the advice.
NeilandRaine said
10:21 PM Jan 18, 2014
If your going to get battery pack may as well get solar panels and with luck you wont have to worry about going flat
exa41 said
10:51 PM Jan 18, 2014
I have two 105Ah batteries plus two 140watt panels and a 7 stage smart charger , don't need anything else.
Griswald said
12:38 PM Jan 19, 2014
We thought of something like that this morning. We spoke of getting portable solar panels & maybe once a month setting them up to make sure it stays charged.
Thanks again for you help with this. Hopefully it won't take us long to learn what is needed & what to do.
freefish1 said
06:04 PM Jan 19, 2014
Hi, You can get a smart charger that you mount permanently near the battery (AGM deep cycle maintenance free). This maintains a constant trickle charge to the battery. Whenever your van is in storage plug in the charger & leave for as long as you like. Batteries fully charged whenever you need them. Alternately make sure your battery is fully charged then connect a small 20w solar panel. Provided you have full sun most days this should keep your battery charged. Works for our solar fencing. I would prefer the first as this system also works whenever or where ever you plug into 240v power.
Our van has a similar system but have 180w of solar for bush camping. Bill
exa41 said
07:02 PM Jan 21, 2014
Hi bill , we had to get new batteries when the trogans packed up (2x250Ah 6v in series) which in my view was a waste of time and never worked well . I bought 2x 12 AGM and a 7 stage Projecter charger and couldn`t be happier.
Mr B2 said
02:14 PM Jan 22, 2014
Griswald,
Stroll into Battery World, and ask them, They can show you all the different types of gear, You may or may not need, They also have the folding solar panels on display,
So you can see it all set up ready to work in their stores,
They are very helpfull,
SnowT said
01:14 AM Jan 23, 2014
Ok here goes the questions..
1 - What do you want to power up..? Light's, a computer maybe some usb charger's etc..?
2 - How much Roof space do you have..? I would always advise that you get solar as well as a Battery..
3 - With regard to 1 and 2, How long do you expect to not be able to charge via a power point/generator..?
4 - What type of camping do you want to do..?
5 - Lastly.. how much do/can you spend..?
answer those questions, and I think you will get some replie's..
Juergen
Griswald said
07:58 PM Jan 26, 2014
Hi Guru. We have videos of the camper mover you suggested & does look like it makes things a lot easier. The only thing it doesn't say is how much the mover weighs. Do you know how heavy it is all up.
We have recently purchase our first caravan but are now thinking about getting battery pack put in. Can anybody let us know how long it can sit unused before going flat eg 3 mths, 6 mths & then how can it be recharged. We should have done it when the van was built but have now decided we need the Eco mover to put the van on the front slab.
I am sure someone will come along with wisdom - but you could also post your question in the "Technical" sub forum - lots of knowledge on there!!! Possible the first question they will ask will be - what caravan have you got? and other stuff about the van - ie does it have a front boot. And how are you going to power the batteries, etc.
Good luck - and enjoy your travel, and this forum - read the whole of the sub-forums (or ones that interest you) you will learn heaps!
Griswald I have recently purchased a camper trolley to move my van about might be worth looking into, as it does not have to be fitted to the van and if you sell the van you can use it on the next. Regarding battery's our first van had the battery fitted under the bed and out current van has them fitted in the front boot.
Don't care where is put really but thanks heaps for advise Jules.
The trolley is a little out of our price range but it is a good suggestion. I am not really about the location of the battery pack. Thanks for the advice.
We thought of something like that this morning. We spoke of getting portable solar panels & maybe once a month setting them up to make sure it stays charged.
Thanks again for you help with this. Hopefully it won't take us long to learn what is needed & what to do.
Hi, You can get a smart charger that you mount permanently near the battery (AGM deep cycle maintenance free). This maintains a constant trickle charge to the battery. Whenever your van is in storage plug in the charger & leave for as long as you like. Batteries fully charged whenever you need them. Alternately make sure your battery is fully charged then connect a small 20w solar panel. Provided you have full sun most days this should keep your battery charged. Works for our solar fencing. I would prefer the first as this system also works whenever or where ever you plug into 240v power.
Our van has a similar system but have 180w of solar for bush camping. Bill
Griswald,
Stroll into Battery World, and ask them, They can show you all the different types of gear, You may or may not need, They also have the folding solar panels on display,
So you can see it all set up ready to work in their stores,
They are very helpfull,
Ok here goes the questions..
1 - What do you want to power up..? Light's, a computer maybe some usb charger's etc..?
2 - How much Roof space do you have..? I would always advise that you get solar as well as a Battery..
3 - With regard to 1 and 2, How long do you expect to not be able to charge via a power point/generator..?
4 - What type of camping do you want to do..?
5 - Lastly.. how much do/can you spend..?
answer those questions, and I think you will get some replie's..
Juergen
Hi Guru. We have videos of the camper mover you suggested & does look like it makes things a lot easier. The only thing it doesn't say is how much the mover weighs. Do you know how heavy it is all up.