Leisure battery (Varta LA80, 12v) query - T5, 2006

edrch · Feb 21, 2026

Quick, potentially dopey/noob question regarding our California's leisure batteries - hopefully someone can help:

I took the van out last weekend (first time in a couple of months) and went to turn on the control panel - nothing. To be honest, I haven't been using the hook-up, so it looks like I have stupidly let the leisure battery/batteries run down. I drove the van for half an hour (a good workout, hilly) and managed to get the control panel working. Parked up for lunch, turning off the van and the panel carried on working for around 20 minutes (0% power, according to the display) before turning off. When leaving we started the van again and the panel came to life. As we were driving (around 30 minutes), the battery charge went up to 10%, then 20%, before dropping suddenly to 10% again. Once the van was parked up again, the power on the control panel lasted 20 minutes or so, then went off - no power again. I connected the electric hook up for a day and a half, and checked the control panel again - nothing. The panel only comes to life when the van is idling/turning over or being driven.

I have a NOCO Genius 10 battery charger and I am considering trickle charging one or both batteries. Stupid question, but can this be done in situ or will they need completely taking out of the van (for safety, if nothing else)? What needs disconnecting, other than the terminals (the warning on the compartment suggests suggests to 'switch off all consumers')? I've seen a couple of posts about how to change the batteries completely, removing them from the van, which has given me some ideas of what to do, but going by the damp, dank weather we've had recently, have I borked both batteries?

Any helpful suggestions would be greatly received, please.

WelshGas · Feb 21, 2026

edrch said:
Quick, potentially dopey/noob question regarding our California's leisure batteries - hopefully someone can help:

I took the van out last weekend (first time in a couple of months) and went to turn on the control panel - nothing. To be honest, I haven't been using the hook-up, so it looks like I have stupidly let the leisure battery/batteries run down. I drove the van for half an hour (a good workout, hilly) and managed to get the control panel working. Parked up for lunch, turning off the van and the panel carried on working for around 20 minutes (0% power, according to the display) before turning off. When leaving we started the van again and the panel came to life. As we were driving (around 30 minutes), the battery charge went up to 10%, then 20%, before dropping suddenly to 10% again. Once the van was parked up again, the power on the control panel lasted 20 minutes or so, then went off - no power again. I connected the electric hook up for a day and a half, and checked the control panel again - nothing. The panel only comes to life when the van is idling/turning over or being driven.

I have a NOCO Genius 10 battery charger and I am considering trickle charging one or both batteries. Stupid question, but can this be done in situ or will they need completely taking out of the van (for safety, if nothing else)? What needs disconnecting, other than the terminals (the warning on the compartment suggests suggests to 'switch off all consumers')? I've seen a couple of posts about how to change the batteries completely, removing them from the van, which has given me some ideas of what to do, but going by the damp, dank weather we've had recently, have I borked both batteries?

Any helpful suggestions would be greatly received, please.

Which vehicle do you have. According to your Avatar a T5 Beach.
But a Beach doesn’t have a Control Panel.

If the batteries are only being charged by the engine then it would seem your built in Mains charger is not working.
When you plug into the Mains do you have mains power to the kitchen socket?

edrch · Feb 22, 2026

Morning Welsh Gas,

It's a 2006 California, with a control panel in the cab.

The mains charger is connecting and I've checked the outside socket and the kitchen one, which are both fine. The console just sits at 0% power. Took the van for a spin this morning, but no charge is being held, which suggests it could be a battery issue.

I'll do some more testing.

WelshGas · Feb 22, 2026

edrch said:
Morning Welsh Gas,

It's a 2006 California, with a control panel in the cab.

The mains charger is connecting and I've checked the outside socket and the kitchen one, which are both fine. The console just sits at 0% power. Took the van for a spin this morning, but no charge is being held, which suggests it could be a battery issue.

I'll do some more testing.

So do you get the little PLUG icon, bottom R, on the Control Panel when plugged into EHU Mains?
When the engine is running, and not plugged into EHU, that plug icon should be replaced by a G icon.

If you don't get the Plug icon then the Mains Charger, found under the fridge, is either not receiving power or has failed.

There is an electric kettle type plug , plugged into the Mains Charger, so check it is properly plugged in.

edrch · Feb 22, 2026

Just had someone look over the van leisure batteries which are no longer holding any charge and probably need replacing. That would make sense, thinking about it. I don't think the damp, dank weather has helped.