How to stop the starter battery going flat in your motorhome or campervan for beginners

[@beatentrackleisure]

Please let us know in the comments below if you've experienced this issue and how you overcome it?

[@michaelperry6633]

Used Battery Master on the last two vans without any problem, especially during long lockdown periods during the pandemic, batteries stayed fully charged. Fitting it to the new van this weekend. Fitted myself but the leisure batteries on all three vans were only about a metre from the cab battery so minimal cable runs.

[@beatentrackleisure]

Hi Michael, thanks for sharing your experiences of using battery master. I understand many people had issues during the pandemic and these devices are almost a necessity in these circumstances. You are certainly very lucky to have such a short run from the leisure batteries, plus with your fitting experience over 3 vehicles now, you could fit one blindfolded! ☺️ Good luck with the latest fitment and enjoy your new van.

[@vanandcountry]

Excellent. I have an MPPT with another output that Elddis decided not to run the wire! I just need to spend some time to figure it out. I think I need to run the live and the earth the length of the van and connect it up - much to learn.

[@beatentrackleisure]

There is some good advice on the CV40 Facebook group about running wires to the cab battery from the solar controller. You obviously have a later can if Elddis are now supplying MPPT controllers, that will serve you well. It would be nice if these manufacturers give the customers a choice about these things prior to collecting their vans, it's a pain to sort this stuff retrospectively 😡

[@vanandcountry]

@@beatentrackleisure Agreed. Actually, some ducting and a threaded string would be good enough on both sides of the van! A start at least...

[@beatentrackleisure]

😆This is so true

[@aVanandAlex]

Great video mate !

[@beatentrackleisure]

Thanks very much indeed ☺️

[@alannicoll719]

Yes I had an issue with battery drain it was becoming a pain going down every 3 weeks or so to turn the engine over and give it a run. Went for expensive option and got Solar panel installed and dual controller fitted and it’s been ok since even during winter. I had to get a motorhome place to install it as I am not electrically minded. 😂

[@beatentrackleisure]

You and me both Alan! There would be an electrical catastrophe if I started making with electricals 😁 you definitely went the best route with solar and controller fitted, no more wasted fuel and Henning to be mindful of how long you've left the vehicle and extra time off grid. Thanks for your input on this topic 👍

[@pennyyoung2291]

I didn’t know any of this, so I had a switch fitted to the engine battery to disconnect it when the van was parked and nothing could drain it.🌷

[@beatentrackleisure]

That's a great tip, thanks Penny! I think that many people fall foul of this issue and it would be so easy for the manufacturers to sort it in the factory

[@Dirt-Diggler]

Dash solar panel, deffo over 20W !! All 4 of my vehicles have one BUT all my cars are parked facing south. For my camper i have a 2 way BtoB with solar on the house battery 👍 but i built the system from scratch, for an existing system the battery master is a simple effective fix if you have solar 😁

[@beatentrackleisure]

Hi, thank you for sharing your experiences with cab battery charging. I wish a dashboard solar panel would work for us, but we have limited sunshine in locked storage 😪 but they certainly can work in perfect circumstances as you rightly points out. I've been looking at the Vanbitz battery master, I can't really see much difference between a battery master and battery maintainer in real terms usage. I wish I had your DIY skills for sure 😁.

[@H4CK61]

Or just get a £40 jumper pack small easy to use and works everytime.

[@beatentrackleisure]

Good point! Thanks for your input