Leisure / engine battery issue

[DGB99]

I have a 2023 Ocean with 300W solar installed to charge the leisure batteries and then a power pack via the MPPT load connection.

The system has worked flawlessly, including over a recent 3 week Wild Atlantic Way (when I was of course driving every day).

I am now at Fidden Farm on Mull where I have been parked since Saturday. Solar has been keeping the leisure batteries at close to 100% each day but after 3 days the tap stopped working on my return from a walk. I assumed this was a blown fuse but checked all 5A fuses under the passenger seat, no issues.

I then noticed that the fridge had turned off; I switched it back on but it went off again after a few seconds. I also could not start the heater.

My Ocean has a full electric door which I have used quite a bit as I have a dog. I then noticed the engine battery was low (11.? V) so started the engine. After 2/3 minutes I turned it off. The tap, fridge and heater immediately worked and have done so until this evening when I had to idle the engine for another couple of minutes. All well again.

I understand that the door use is discharging the engine battery but why does this impact on the tap, fridge and heater which are powered by the leisure batteries which are close to 100% (currently 12.70V). What am I missing?

 

[RockinNRollin]

It could be just a glitch with the computer system. I have had this before with various systems and turning the ignition on and off seems to sort it out. My only other thought is if the control panel itself is powered by the vehicle battery it might turn off everything prior to it thinking it’s going to lose power completely? Below 12v is pretty low.

 

[DGB99]

It could be just a glitch with the computer system. I have had this before with various systems and turning the ignition on and off seems to sort it out. My only other thought is if the control panel itself is powered by the vehicle battery it might turn off everything prior to it thinking it’s going to lose power completely? Below 12v is pretty low.

Control panel was showing full bars on leisure batteries. It seemed odd that a low engine battery can ‘control’ what is powered by full leisure batteries. Once I get the engine battery up to ~12V all fine again.

 

[KGCali]

Check the cube fuse on the positive post of the rear battery hasn't blown, if it has your only charging one leisure battery. Using a multimeter either check there's continuity or the voltage is the same between the arrows in the photo. If there is no continuity (buzz) or the voltage is slightly different the fuse is blown.

Press the switch on the dash to put the sliding door into manual mode when camping and not on EHU otherwise it'll quickly drain the main battery, as will the dash radio.

 

[RockinNRollin]

Control panel was showing full bars on leisure batteries. It seemed odd that a low engine battery can ‘control’ what is powered by full leisure batteries. Once I get the engine battery up to ~12V all fine again.

I meant that if the control panel is powered by the vehicle battery (even though it itself controls the leisure system) then it might default to turning systems off while it still has control if it thinks it’s risking losing power.

 

[dspuk]

My recollection is the side electric door is fed by the leisures but for sure the main door the starter. So if you are using the main door a lot it will drain the starter - I had this in France once and ended up with a flat battery needing EHU top up for a few hours. Every time you open and close the main doors it primes all sorts in the background.

It could be that the starter is draining which causes the van to go into lockdown mode, regardless of the leisures. Are you using the main doors or the head unit for music? Are the keys in or out the ignition?

If you have not already, I’d setup/change the MPPT to trickle your starter. I’d also be wary about using the main doors at all when not on EHU - they are more of a drain than you realise. Once I’ve spun the seats and put the windscreen cover on I never go in them at all now.

On EHU the starter is trickle charged.

Edit - WG has clarified below that the electric side doors are starter battery.

 

[DGB99]

I had the front seats turned so only used the side electric door. If it is powered by the leisure batteries then I am not sure what could be draining the engine battery.

I have checked both leisure batteries and they were close to fully charged from the solar.

Has anyone else had this issue?

 

[WelshGas]

I had the front seats turned so only used the side electric door. If it is powered by the leisure batteries then I am not sure what could be draining the engine battery.

I have checked both leisure batteries and they were close to fully charged from the solar.

Has anyone else had this issue?

Electric sliding doors are Transporter base vehicle option and powered by the Engine Battery.

 

[DGB99]

Electric sliding doors are Transporter base vehicle option and powered by the Engine Battery.

That's what I thought and would explain draining the engine battery. Any idea why when the engine battery is low the tap pump, fridge and heater do not work even though the leisures are fine?

 

[Perfectos]

Update the App ?

 

[WelshGas]

That's what I thought and would explain draining the engine battery. Any idea why when the engine battery is low the tap pump, fridge and heater do not work even though the leisures are fine?

There is a power supply to the Control Panel from the engine battery. As mentioned above it might shutdown the Control Panel and switch off functions it controls if engine battery drops below a certain minimum voltage to maintain engine start function.

 

[DGB99]

I guess that can be the only answer; odd that includes the tap pump. I live and learn!