Bobinet Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 (edited) Bobby Edited March 26, 2010 by Bobinet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RogerL Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Most modern caravans have an on-board power supply - if you connect the caravan to your domestic mains power at home, the power supply will charge the battery to about 80% (as it's 13. 8v instead of the 14. 4v needed for a full charge) which most caravanners regard as acceptable. If you want to fully charge your battery and/or extend it's life, you'll need a smart car charger like the Aldi/Lidl special promotion at £13 or the cTEK XS3600 at £50 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arc Systems Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Sorry to muddy the water a little and this only applies to the last couple of years, but, many of the latest 12v power supplies in caravans are infact true battery chargers, the ones going wrong in Swifts at the moment being a case in point. These are pucker switch mode smart chargers with controlled voltage of 14. 4v for full charge, but, with the possible added advantage of high amperage outputs in the region of 15 to 20amps or more, this giving faster charging than most standalone chargers. Without documents it's difficult to know whats fitted but a cheap multimeter will show what voltage is being delivered to the battery, if it's a newish van and rising well above 13. 8v then it's most probably one of these full blown chargers. If so, then using a standalone or even leaving the van hooked up is not particularly required, simply hooking up 24 hours before use should suffice Quote Arc Systems are specialist Carver caravan product repairers, committed to providing a comprehensive service as well as spare parts for these popular heaters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caraman1 Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Sorry to muddy the water a little and this only applies to the last couple of years, but, many of the latest 12v power supplies in caravans are infact true battery chargers. Gary, Do you know what type was fitted to a Bailey Senator in 2007? Thanks Dave Quote Discovery 4 HSE 2015, Bailey Unicorn S4 Barcelona 2018. http://www. mycaravan. org. uk/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arc Systems Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 (edited) No sorry I don't know, the ability has been around for a few years but most had/have the option of being switched to permanent 'maintenance' charge, ie 13. 8v and this was always selected. I note with the 'Nord Electronica' as fitted to Swift among some others I believe, there is not an option to turn it off? Anyway found this article, I note the prices is wrong so out of date at least on that score but explains a bit more. Edited March 30, 2009 by Arc Systems Quote Arc Systems are specialist Carver caravan product repairers, committed to providing a comprehensive service as well as spare parts for these popular heaters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caraman1 Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 Thanks Gary Dave Quote Discovery 4 HSE 2015, Bailey Unicorn S4 Barcelona 2018. http://www. mycaravan. org. uk/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arc Systems Posted March 30, 2009 Share Posted March 30, 2009 To date I've found out, only Swift are using this type charger made by Nord, in general, these are a powerful 18A three stage fan-less charger. If you should want or need to replace an existing charger, then Nord do a range of suitable units at fairly reasonable prices considering their duel use, see here Quote Arc Systems are specialist Carver caravan product repairers, committed to providing a comprehensive service as well as spare parts for these popular heaters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobinet Posted March 30, 2009 Author Share Posted March 30, 2009 (edited) I Bobby Edited March 26, 2010 by Bobinet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iwoo Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Are Aldi or Lidl still doing the smart chargers? I live near Peterlee so if any one spots one nerarby please give ma a tip off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobinet Posted April 1, 2009 Author Share Posted April 1, 2009 Are Aldi or Lidl still doing the smart chargers? I live near Peterlee so if any one spots one nerarby please give ma a tip off. Went to Lidle yesterday and there wasn't one in sight. Bobby Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TD 42 Posted April 1, 2009 Share Posted April 1, 2009 Are Aldi or Lidl still doing the smart chargers? I live near Peterlee so if any one spots one nerarby please give ma a tip off. they do them as specials every so often sugest you subscribe to their website's & you will get emails notifying you what is coming up twice a week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iwoo Posted April 2, 2009 Share Posted April 2, 2009 Will do thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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