Leisure battery care for dummies

Lequimper · Feb 18, 2024

In a few weeks we will be proud but very newbie owners of a California Ocean. Unfortunately we don’t have space to store it at home, so it will be kept securely at a local outdoor CASSOA site. This will make things a little more tricky, especially with battery care.

We anticipate taking the van out for a drive at least every other weekend and for an overnight stay further afield (on hook-up) at least monthly. Longer trips in the summer.

So, what are your top tips for keeping the leisure battery in decent condition through the year (and indeed the main battery) when it’s sat there all on its lonesome for the times in between trips?

Might having a solar panel installed on the roof help at all?

TIA.

Ch1pbutty · Feb 18, 2024

Solar panel will do it.

WelshGas · Feb 18, 2024

Lequimper said:
In a few weeks we will be proud but very newbie owners of a California Ocean. Unfortunately we don’t have space to store it at home, so it will be kept securely at a local outdoor CASSOA site. This will make things a little more tricky, especially with battery care.

We anticipate taking the van out for a drive at least every other weekend and for an overnight stay further afield (on hook-up) at least monthly. Longer trips in the summer.

So, what are your top tips for keeping the leisure battery in decent condition through the year (and indeed the main battery) when it’s sat there all on its lonesome for the times in between trips?

Might having a solar panel installed on the roof help at all?

TIA.

IF you keep to your plan of driving every other weekend and on EHU whilst camping monthly then you should be fine.
When driving switch the Max Charge switch ON. This maximises the charge for all batteries.

yossarian · Feb 18, 2024

The rate of deteriation of your batteries is inversely proportional to their state of charge. Keep them as close to 100% for as long as possible for longest life.

RockinNRollin · Feb 19, 2024

When you park it up at your storage facility, double check you've not left the kitchen cupboard lights on, or the wardrobe door ajar which will trigger the light inside, or the boot lights on override. The other lights are easier to spot, but those can be left on (especially in summer) without easily noticing. While not massive consumers day to day, if the van isn't getting touched for two weeks there's a good chance they'll eat a decent chunk into the batteries!

ThomasHJ · Feb 19, 2024

Solar panels or trickle charger.

Gliderbee California 6.1 · Feb 19, 2024

yossarian said:
The rate of deteriation of your batteries is inversely proportional to their state of charge. Keep them as close to 100% for as long as possible for longest life.

Are you sure ? If so, why does VW - in the T6.1 Ocean - limit the charge by default to 80% ? There's a way to increase it to 100% on the control panel, but that's not standard ..

Second question: I bought Solar panels from Roger, and I'll install them next week (time permitting). Will these charge the leisure batteries to 100%, whatever the setting on the control panel ?

Thanks,

Stefan.

yossarian · Feb 19, 2024

Gliderbee California 6.1 said:
Are you sure

Yes.

Gliderbee California 6.1 said:
why does VW - in the T6.1 Ocean - limit the charge by default to 80%

This allows them to perform weak regenerative braking and some emissions reduction.

Gliderbee California 6.1 said:
Will these charge the leisure batteries to 100%, whatever the setting on the control panel ?

Sort of. Whilst driving your batteries will settle at 80 or 100 percent depending on the max charge setting.

While parked this will depend on what you've set the solar controller to do.

And typically while camping you'll have a small energy deficit.

Ocean Spirit · Feb 19, 2024

Gliderbee California 6.1 said:
Are you sure ? If so, why does VW - in the T6.1 Ocean - limit the charge by default to 80% ? There's a way to increase it to 100% on the control panel, but that's not standard ..

When ever I've checked mine while driving for 20 mins plus or just parked after such driving. The level has shown 100%.

Mine is a UK spec, have VW need to set 80 % in some countries and not others for vehicle tax purposes?

WelshGas · Feb 19, 2024

Ocean Spirit said:
When ever I've checked mine while driving for 20 mins plus or just parked after such driving. The level has shown 100%.

Mine is a UK spec, have VW need to set 80 % in some countries and not others for vehicle tax purposes?

The 100% shown on the Control Panel is an iffy computer calculation based on amps drawn from the battery. It is of no real significance. The voltage displayed is accurate.

derek_j_buchanan · Feb 23, 2024

Why get so worked up about these things folks. It’s a battery. Our a wee trickle charger (solar) on it or if you can plug it in but really if you are using every coil pls of weeks you are worrying over nowt.

John Rowson · Feb 23, 2024

Lequimper said:
In a few weeks we will be proud but very newbie owners of a California Ocean. Unfortunately we don’t have space to store it at home, so it will be kept securely at a local outdoor CASSOA site. This will make things a little more tricky, especially with battery care.

We anticipate taking the van out for a drive at least every other weekend and for an overnight stay further afield (on hook-up) at least monthly. Longer trips in the summer.

So, what are your top tips for keeping the leisure battery in decent condition through the year (and indeed the main battery) when it’s sat there all on its lonesome for the times in between trips?

Might having a solar panel installed on the roof help at all?

TIA.

I see that people are advising to select max charge when driving. I thought the max charge setting just raised the idle speed to ensure a raised charging rate when stationary. It won't increase the charging rate when driving. If you are using the vehicle on a regular basis then there shouldn't be a problem. Don't leave it unused for long periods. Using it as you have indicated should be fine.

WelshGas · Feb 23, 2024

John Rowson said:
I see that people are advising to select max charge when driving. I thought the max charge setting just raised the idle speed to ensure a raised charging rate when stationary. It won't increase the charging rate when driving. If you are using the vehicle on a regular basis then there shouldn't be a problem. Don't leave it unused for long periods. Using it as you have indicated should be fine.

In normal driving mode the Smart Alternator will charge ALL 3 batteries to 80% capacity so there is room for the charge produced by regenerative braking. The voltage will oscillate between 0 - 14.4 volts.
When the Max Charge switch is On the Alternator smart electronics are basically over ridden and the voltage stays at 14.4 v . The idling speed is increased to ensure the alternator still produces 14.4 v at idle. This ensures all 3 batteries are at 100% capacity.
The Control Panel will show 100% in both scenarios. VW has set this software calculation to show 100% when the leisure batteries are at 80 + % capacity.

Mr B · Feb 23, 2024

WelshGas said:
In normal driving mode the Smart Alternator will charge ALL 3 batteries to 80% capacity so there is room for the charge produced by regenerative braking. The voltage will oscillate between 0 - 14.4 volts.
When the Max Charge switch is On the Alternator smart electronics are basically over ridden and the voltage stays at 14.4 v . The idling speed is increased to ensure the alternator still produces 14.4 v at idle. This ensures all 3 batteries are at 100% capacity.
The Control Panel will show 100% in both scenarios. VW has set this software calculation to show 100% when the leisure batteries are at 80 + % capacity.

I've come to the conclusion that this system like many of the VW systems are outdated and old tech.

DC to DC charging and lithium would surely be more efficient but they can't be bothered to implement a more modern system.

VW are more concerned with faking emissions targets than providing a modern efficient leisure battery system.

VW seem to do the minimum to keep things working rather than implementing better systems.

If you've driven an id car that has just released and compare it to a Tesla from 2016 you can see how far behind the curve they are. Software is terrible in comparison and hardware isn't on par.

I think a large manufacturer will take the camper concept to the next level soon and it won't be VW.

Azteccamper · Feb 23, 2024

Mr B said:
I think a large manufacturer will take the camper concept to the next level soon and it won't be VW.

Spot on. A number of converters are well ahead of the game, eg Wildax, so watch this space.

WelshGas · Feb 23, 2024

Mr B said:
I've come to the conclusion that this system like many of the VW systems are outdated and old tech.

DC to DC charging and lithium would surely be more efficient but they can't be bothered to implement a more modern system.

VW are more concerned with faking emissions targets than providing a modern efficient leisure battery system.

VW seem to do the minimum to keep things working rather than implementing better systems.

If you've driven an id car that has just released and compare it to a Tesla from 2016 you can see how far behind the curve they are. Software is terrible in comparison and hardware isn't on par.

I think a large manufacturer will take the camper concept to the next level soon and it won't be VW.

But the T6 and 6.1 are old school. The end of the road and an On Road test vehicle for the next generation.
Seeing as VW are the ONLY manufacturer of a Campervan , in house, with 3 models from the Caddy to the GC I cannot see any other manufacturer taking them on by producing an in house competitor. All the others are 2 party conversions, some large-scale some not.

Roger Boeken · Feb 24, 2024

Mr B said:
I've come to the conclusion that this system like many of the VW systems are outdated and old tech.

DC to DC charging and lithium would surely be more efficient but they can't be bothered to implement a more modern system.

VW are more concerned with faking emissions targets than providing a modern efficient leisure battery system.

VW seem to do the minimum to keep things working rather than implementing better systems.

If you've driven an id car that has just released and compare it to a Tesla from 2016 you can see how far behind the curve they are. Software is terrible in comparison and hardware isn't on par.

I think a large manufacturer will take the camper concept to the next level soon and it won't be VW.

Used AGM batteries are proven concept for the purpose needed.
Lithium far more expensive.
3 identical batteries is a advantage for manufacturer and owner.
If VW puts lithium batteries in and air suspension and whatever existing better technology the cali becomes far too expensive as it is expensive already.

Skootyalan · Feb 25, 2024

If you have a dash cam in the van you will probably need to disconnect each time you park up

nigpdreadingfc · Feb 25, 2024

Skootyalan said:
If you have a dash cam in the van you will probably need to disconnect each time you park up

Really?

WelshGas · Feb 29, 2024

Skootyalan said:
If you have a dash cam in the van you will probably need to disconnect each time you park up

All depends how it is wired up. Ignition On live, then no need.
Permanent Live, then possibly Yes, if you are using Parking Mode or you are powering it via a permanent live USB plug/adapter.

Hawthorn37 · Feb 29, 2024

This is our experience of a dash cam. We’ve got a Blackvue front and rear camera, installed on permanent live so we can set parking mode or time lapse when parked up. As we live on a busy urban road, the parking mode is something we really wanted, and disconnecting the camera just defeats this feature. Yes it draws power, but in 2 years we’ve never had an issue of the batteries draining down.

Our situation: When not camping, the van is ‘generally’ hooked up to a 240v power source with a timer to top up 2 hours per day, but sometimes we forget, and it’s on the drive without power for a week or more. We’ve been camping (static) without EHU for 4 days, and using the fridge and lighting, without issue.

I personally wouldn’t stress about having a dash cam wired to permanent live. Hope this helps.

Leisure battery care for dummies

Lequimper

Ch1pbutty

WelshGas

Retired after 42 yrs and enjoying Life.

yossarian

RockinNRollin

Where to next?

ThomasHJ

Gliderbee California 6.1

yossarian

Ocean Spirit

Eating Ice Cream, skimming stones.

WelshGas

Retired after 42 yrs and enjoying Life.

derek_j_buchanan

John Rowson

WelshGas

Retired after 42 yrs and enjoying Life.

Mr B

Azteccamper

WelshGas

Retired after 42 yrs and enjoying Life.

Roger Boeken

calisutra

Skootyalan

nigpdreadingfc

WelshGas

Retired after 42 yrs and enjoying Life.

Hawthorn37

Retired, and working hard at it

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