Romahome Battery/Logic Charger Questions

[winston]

Hi there,

We just got our first Romahome (also our first motorhome). It's a 1993 HiTop.

I'm having a few issues with the leisure battery. We have the Logic recharger.

When I switch to AUX, the light turns is red, and when in VEH mode, the light is green, (and the lights in the sleeping area work etc.,)

This suggests that the battery is flat, however I have been driving around with the switch in the VEH position, to charge the battery, and this hasn't had any effect.

How long do I need to drive around for, before I can expect the battery to start charging?

I was also wondering if it is possible to charge the batter in some other way, e.g., using a mains powered car battery charger?

In a related problem, I have been unable to use the sink tap. Sometimes, I can hear the pump start up, but no water comes through. Is the water pump connected soley to the leisure battery, or can it also be powered by the main battery? (i.e., if I fix the battery problem, maybe the sink will work?).

Also, I was wondering how I should set all the switches when the vehicle is parked up and not in use? At the moment, I have been setting the switch to AUX, and the 12v/on switch to the 12v position.

Finally, what is the red switch next to the logic unit for? Is this to do with mains hookup?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[ant]

Hi Winston.
I suspect the fuse that is inline with the charging system has blown as you are doing everything else correctly. Have a look under the bonnet next to the vehicle battery and you'll see some inline fuses coming from the battery. you may also have a fuse on a relay next to the battery ( not all Logic controlled units had one).
The red switch should control the mains to the logic for charging/transforming when hooked up.
If the pump has been dry for some time it'll need priming. Set it going with some water in the tank and then the quickest way to priome it is to suck on the tap with the pump running. When the noise changes get out the way as you're about to get a mouth full of dead things and sludge!
Ant

[winston]

Hi Ant,

Great, thanks for that. I'll have a look, and post back my results...

Winston

[winston]

Hi again,

I had a look, but couldn't see the fuses you mentioned. Perhaps I wasn't looking hard enough.

Anyway, I have noticed that the leisure battery does charge up slightly while driving, but I have never seen the light glow any colour other than red.

Do you think the problem is still with the electrical system, or could it be that the battery is damaged?

We have only just got the romahome, and I have reason to believe it hasn't been charged correctly for some time. I was wondering about buying a mains charger, to charge the battery at home, is this possible?

Winston.

[Derek]

Hi Winston

Ant has answered some of your question on another thread

smallmotorhome.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=ant&thread=2832&page=1#18761

Derek

[ant]

Hi Winston.
I still think you need to find the fuses inline, if the battery is charging slightly then the fuse may be corroded. The light should be green when the engine is running, if its still red then you're not getting any charge to speak of.
Ant

[winston]

Hi again,

I checked again last night, and found some fuses in white plastic housings, at the back of the engine compartment. All the fuses looked not to be blown. Tonight, I will remove them and check for corrosion.

Derek; Thanks for the link regarding the battery charger.

I'm just a little worried about blowing the leisure battery, so can I confirm that a standard car battery charger, with over-charge and over-load protection will be ok for me? From memory, I believe my leisure battery is 12v, 60amp.

Thanks again,

Winston

[ant]

Winston.
The charger will be fine. Nobody has done anything as exciting as blowing up the battery when charging before!
Ant