Understanding hours left on control panel

Kevantlin1973 · Aug 19, 2023

Tried looking for this and read most (if not all) threads around this subject.

Brand new Ocean (had it for a couple of weeks) we are away in a hotel and we are keeping a few things in the fridge.

What I have noticed is that the hours left (just the fridge running) seems to fluctuate. Went to be last night and it said 13 hours and then this morning it said 50 ‍

I did change it from level 2 to level 1. Would it have made that much of a difference ?

WelshGas · Aug 19, 2023

Kevantlin1973 said:
Tried looking for this and read most (if not all) threads around this subject.

Brand new Ocean (had it for a couple of weeks) we are away in a hotel and we are keeping a few things in the fridge.

What I have noticed is that the hours left (just the fridge running) seems to fluctuate. Went to be last night and it said 13 hours and then this morning it said 50 ‍

I did change it from level 2 to level 1. Would it have made that much of a difference ?

The fridge compressor switches on and off during normal operation. The hours left calculation uses the power consumption data to calculate hours left. So if compressor is running using power the Control Panel calculates how many hours left at that point utilising amps being used and voltage. When the compressor is off a new calculation is made. The hours used is an indication. The voltage is a more accurate measurement of battery capacity left.

Stu@rt · Aug 19, 2023

It will fluctuate. The algorithm is giving you a real-time "guesstimate".
The fridge will cut in and out all the time, just like your one at home. Compressor runs until your preset temp is reached and then cuts out. Open the lid, temp rises and compressor cuts back in. When the compressor is running you will see the -Amps number increase and your hours left decrease. When the compressor cuts out the -Amps number goes down and your hours left goes back up. It is just trying to give you an estimate based on what is running "right now". In real world usage, what is running right now, changes all the time; lights/fridge/USB sockets etc etc, so the estimate will change with the load.

I'll be the first to admit that it can be compulsive viewing at first

dspuk · Aug 19, 2023

The hours left is based on the assumption the current draw will continue as is - it’s no more clever than that.

When you first put the fridge on it will draw about 4A from the leisures. The unit, making an assumption that 4A will continue to be the uninterrupted draw, will say 13H.

The fridge of course does not draw 4A continuously, only until it reaches operating temperature where it then switches on and off to maintain that temperature, usually moving to a 1A draw.

So then it goes back to 60, eventually coming down from that if you stay off EHU.

Same for heater, lights, etc.

Stu@rt · Aug 19, 2023

I keep @WelshGas ' chart above ^^^^^^ in my gallery on my phone and find it way more useful.

Kevantlin1973 · Aug 19, 2023

Amazing all.

Love this community

RockinNRollin · Aug 21, 2023

Out of interest, how does the second leisure battery factor into all of this? I seem to recall reading somewhere one battery is for the heater, the other for everything else (on the camping side) - does the display show a combined picture of battery capacity, or just the battery that powers the camping stuff except the heater? Or are the batteries shared?

Stu@rt · Aug 21, 2023

RockinNRollin said:
Out of interest, how does the second leisure battery factor into all of this? I seem to recall reading somewhere one battery is for the heater, the other for everything else (on the camping side) - does the display show a combined picture of battery capacity, or just the battery that powers the camping stuff except the heater? Or are the batteries shared?

The leisure batteries are wired in parallel and therefore seen as one.

RockinNRollin · Aug 21, 2023

Stu@rt said:
The leisure batteries are wired in parallel and therefore seen as one.

Cheers. That does make a lot of sense.

andyinluton · Aug 21, 2023

RockinNRollin said:
Cheers. That does make a lot of sense.

Worth noting that if the battery suddenly seems to drain at twice the speed pf before - the chances are that the fuse on the link between the two batteries has blown & you are only using one.

Kevantlin1973 · Aug 21, 2023

Looking at the chart earlier in the thread it shows that allowing the batteries to deplete is damaging.

My dealer told me that they are not susceptible to this ‍

WelshGas · Aug 21, 2023

Kevantlin1973 said:
Looking at the chart earlier in the thread it shows that allowing the batteries to deplete is damaging.

My dealer told me that they are not susceptible to this ‍

Change Dealers.

Kevantlin1973 · Aug 21, 2023

So help me understand please…..if I am off grid for a week I shouldn’t allow my batteries to go dead. So I should switch off fridge etc while I still have charge ?

All very new to me

Peter84 · Aug 21, 2023

@Kevantlin1973 look at the chart posted earlier, don't let the voltage drop below 11.6V to avoid risking permanent damage to the batteries. The batteries probably wouldn't last a week with the fridge turned on, charge the batteries intermediately by running the engine for a (short) while. Or get solar of course

andyinluton · Aug 21, 2023

Peter84 said:
@Kevantlin1973 look at the chart posted earlier, don't let the voltage drop below 11.6V to avoid risking permanent damage to the batteries. The batteries probably wouldn't last a week with the fridge turned on, charge the batteries intermediately by running the engine for a (short) while. Or get solar of course

The fridge will shut itself off at 11.5v to protect the batteries, the night heater does the same. You would need to use the internal lights or USB sockets to get them flatter than that.

Kevantlin1973 · Aug 21, 2023

Thanks all

yossarian · Aug 21, 2023

Stu@rt said:
The leisure batteries are wired in parallel and therefore seen as one.

True however on the 6.1 they are separately monitored and, depending on the model year, the vehicle can sense a battery imbalance problem caused by (say) a blown fuse and notify you accordingly.

The bar graph shows an aggregate of both batteries. Individual battery data is available on the internal diagnostics.

calibusje · Aug 22, 2023

Use from time to time the maximum load function while driving and you’ll be fine. You can also use it while camping of but of course with the engine running. The revs will increase slightly, but you can fully recharge your batteries in a short time. No need for solar panels but each does what he wants of course.
To meet emissions standards, the alternator only charges as much as necessary and with a maximum of 80%. Due to the maximum charge function it will charge all batteries to 100% and that is a lot more in terms of battery capacity.
You do not need to shut off the fridge.
The readings are very momentary and changeable but also accurate.
However, if you dropped the voltage too low & too long and get the message 'recharge immediately', you should do this. If not, the system will block and you can go to the dealer for a reset.
Also use the camping modus: this disconnects the car from the camper area and also saves the leisure batteries.
The t6.1 has a very well adapted electronic system for camping.
Enjoy your cali!

Understanding hours left on control panel

Kevantlin1973

WelshGas

Retired after 42 yrs and enjoying Life.

Stu@rt

dspuk

Dave

Stu@rt

Kevantlin1973

RockinNRollin

Where to next?

Stu@rt

RockinNRollin

Where to next?

andyinluton

Kevantlin1973

WelshGas

Retired after 42 yrs and enjoying Life.

Kevantlin1973

Peter84

andyinluton

Kevantlin1973

yossarian

calibusje

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