leisure battery.

Tim&carolsvan · Oct 28, 2026

I have a 3 year old ocean 3 weeks ago I discovered the leisure batteries had gone flat after 6 weeks of non use I plugged into the mains over the weekend to recharge the batteries they has shown full charge for the last 2 weeks but yesterday I noticed it had dropped by 2 bars. we have a 100 watt solar panel fitted but the van is stored under a tree so not really getting any charge I put a volt meter over the terminals yesterday it was reading 12.8 volts today it reads 12.5 volts is this usual or am I getting a drain from somewhere. the fridge is switched off a scorpion tracker is fitted any thoughts ?

WelshGas · Oct 28, 2026

Tim&carolsvan said:
I have a 3 year old ocean 3 weeks ago I discovered the leisure batteries had gone flat after 6 weeks of non use I plugged into the mains over the weekend to recharge the batteries they has shown full charge for the last 2 weeks but yesterday I noticed it had dropped by 2 bars. we have a 100 watt solar panel fitted but the van is stored under a tree so not really getting any charge I put a volt meter over the terminals yesterday it was reading 12.8 volts today it reads 12.5 volts is this usual or am I getting a drain from somewhere. the fridge is switched off a scorpion tracker is fitted any thoughts ?

You stated you have a solar panel, but parked beneath trees. The solar panel controller requires power for the display or Bluetooth connectivity. It takes this from the leisure batteries. This will be constant 24 hr drain on the leisure batteries which may not be compensated for by the solar panels at this time of the year especially if it is basically inoperable due to the trees.

Betsycalifornia · Oct 28, 2026

Normal behaviour to me. More panels (and hope it’s sunny and the tree falls down), more driving or more plugging in required, or a combination of all 3.

Tall Andrew · Nov 2, 2026

A shadow on a solar panel acts like a break in the circuit. All the cells connected in series with it will not produce anything.

The tree will also be dropping loads of rubbish onto your car and clogging up the drains.

I love trees by the way.

Blanco · Nov 2, 2026

Love trees and solar panels, but really really dislike dead wet leaves.

Taking the fuse between the solar controller and rear battery out will stop battery drain, but probably also fit a solar disconnect switch between panels and controller as well (or cover the solar panel) - power can't then feed into the controller when it isn't working after the fuse has been removed.

A van cover from Halfords overcomes the leaf problem - £100 - pain to fit if windy but no more leaves rotting away on roof over winter and under the bonnet.