Flat batteries — explanation?

David and Chris · Feb 28, 2023

Good morning to everyone.
I tried to get into the Cali Beach yesterday, and couldn’t even open it. The key batteries are fine but both the car and the leisure batteries were flat. It was brand new in August last year, and we have done 3000 miles in it.
I called VW Assist who sent an AA van around. He got it started and got the car battery „recovered“. I had not used the van for some weeks, but there was nothing left switched on (eg lights) and I am surprised that they went flat so quickly. Therefore can anyone tell me whether:
a) it is normal for the batteries to go flat so quickly;
b) what is draining them even though there doesn’t appear to be anything switched on;
c) how long it takes to fully recharge the leisure battery from absolutely flat on a normal domestic socket.

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can provide.

David and Chris

WelshGas · Feb 28, 2023

Y

David and Chris said:
Good morning to everyone.
I tried to get into the Cali Beach yesterday, and couldn’t even open it. The key batteries are fine but both the car and the leisure batteries were flat. It was brand new in August last year, and we have done 3000 miles in it.
I called VW Assist who sent an AA van around. He got it started and got the car battery „recovered“. I had not used the van for some weeks, but there was nothing left switched on (eg lights) and I am surprised that they went flat so quickly. Therefore can anyone tell me whether:
a) it is normal for the batteries to go flat so quickly;
b) what is draining them even though there doesn’t appear to be anything switched on;
c) how long it takes to fully recharge the leisure battery from absolutely flat on a normal domestic socket.

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can provide.

David and Chris

Ou have been plugging into EHU monthly as mentioned in the Handbook?

WelshGas · Feb 28, 2023

Y

David and Chris said:
Good morning to everyone.
I tried to get into the Cali Beach yesterday, and couldn’t even open it. The key batteries are fine but both the car and the leisure batteries were flat. It was brand new in August last year, and we have done 3000 miles in it.
I called VW Assist who sent an AA van around. He got it started and got the car battery „recovered“. I had not used the van for some weeks, but there was nothing left switched on (eg lights) and I am surprised that they went flat so quickly. Therefore can anyone tell me whether:
a) it is normal for the batteries to go flat so quickly;
b) what is draining them even though there doesn’t appear to be anything switched on;
c) how long it takes to fully recharge the leisure battery from absolutely flat on a normal domestic socket.

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can provide.

David and Chris

You have been plugging into EHU monthly as mentioned in the Handbook?

David and Chris · Feb 28, 2023

No I am afraid not, but I will of course in future. I was just wondering if that does explain why both batteries drained compl and so relatively quickly. If it does explain it then I don’t have to worry about it being something else that is wrong.

babble · Feb 28, 2023

Sounds odd to me. both batteries shouldn't go completely flat on a new cali in a few weeks unless something is draining them.

Lambeth Cali · Feb 28, 2023

David and Chris said:
No I am afraid not, but I will of course in future. I was just wondering if that does explain why both batteries drained compl and so relatively quickly. If it does explain it then I don’t have to worry about it being something else that is wrong.

Do you have anything at all plugged into the sockets?
Usb adapter? Anything at all?

I plug mine in sporadically during our summer holiday. I often plug mine in for one night the night before we leave. Other than that, it’s parked 100 metres away and not plugged in for circa 50 weeks of the year. The van gets driven about once every two months which would charge the batteries.

The batteries are now 15 years old and still work great. Would easily run the fridge and lights for 5 days not plugged in.

IMO you either have something plugged in a socket - even something you don’t think draws a current - or something is wrong with your batteries.

Corradobrit · Feb 28, 2023

I have a new Coast which I have parked up in a garage without EHU supply. I have been monitoring the battery levels weekly and after almost 4 weeks the leisure batteries are still showing max capacity (60+ hours). I do isolate them using the relay in the cupboard. YMMV

andyinluton · Mar 1, 2023

Corradobrit said:
I have a new Coast which I have parked up in a garage without EHU supply. I have been monitoring the battery levels weekly and after almost 4 weeks the leisure batteries are still showing max capacity (60+ hours). I do isolate them using the relay in the cupboard. YMMV

What relay in what cupboard??

The only switch in cupboard I'm aware of is for 240v hookup, I don't know of anything on the 12v side of things.

Corradobrit · Mar 1, 2023

andyinluton said:
What relay in what cupboard??

The only switch in cupboard I'm aware of is for 240v hookup, I don't know of anything on the 12v side of things.

My bad. Thought I read here that the switch isolated the leisure batteries, but can see that is not correct. Don't want to perpetuate bad info.

GrumpyGranddad · Mar 1, 2023

YMMV is a new one for an oldie like me

your mileage may vary: used especially online for saying someone’s experience may be different from that described
I find the tomato barely tastes next to the cheese and basil, but ymmv.
These are my opinions and experiences.... YMMV.

chockswahay · Mar 1, 2023

GrumpyGranddad said:
YMMV is a new one for an oldie like me

your mileage may vary: used especially online for saying someone’s experience may be different from that described
I find the tomato barely tastes next to the cheese and basil, but ymmv.
These are my opinions and experiences.... YMMV.

GG..... you been on the sherbet?

dspuk · Mar 1, 2023

As others have said while you should plug in for a day when leaving a month on the drive, the reality is your batteries should not fully drain. It's very likely you have a drain somewhere. A small hidden light on etc - a bit of nosing about your van and detective work should yield results. Should not be a problem really but always worth checking if the batteries are dud in some way. Unlikley but not impossible.

Perfectos · Mar 1, 2023

Some one on the T6 forum had the same issue, constant, but small battery drain, turned out to be a faulty ignition switch causing parasitic drain.
£15 to replace the switch solved the issue.

Have you Ask your dealer to check all the batteries & camping electrics side of things under warranty?
There should be a relay between the camping and starter battery which prevents the draining of both simultaneously!

I believe there is a charging profile update applied to the T6, which may help with charging when in Use (driving) T6 vans.

edit :

Battery drain issue

I seem to have a battery drain on my 2016 T6 150 highline as it struggles or fails to start after about 6-7 of not being used. Firstly I believed it to be the battery, so had a brand new AGM battery installed and coded to the van but again after 6-7 days I’m getting the same issue. It appears to...

www.t6forum.com

Greg&Mel Australian Cali · Mar 4, 2023

My new Beach had the same issue. I thought that the starter and leisure batteries were isolated when the ignition is switched off. Why would both drain?

jurgen · Mar 6, 2023

Another case here. Last year, our 70 plate Coast leisure and car batteries were flat after 5 weeks inside our garage. Never happened before, or since, and retaining charge has been otherwise great. We don't know what might have drained them as nothing plugged in and no lights on (would be obvious in a dark garage at night).

It'll probably remain a mystery, but it is strange that both batteries were flat... and interesting to hear there have been other cases too...