Off-grid/On-Grid

[lankidden]

Good Morning,

First of all my apologies for not contributing to the 2022 Running Totals Board, but as the Board so sadly illustrates, we haven't actually been away, (so far) this year.

In my attempts to re-commission the van in the possibility of an upcoming trip, I have brought the batteries home for a re-charge. Without going into the reasons why (!!), both batteries are not so much flat, as having been run over by a steamroller. I may, or may not, be able to recharge them, they are a particularly sturdy brand.

So here are my queries.

If the batteries are NOT re-installed, but all the wiring remains intact, (other than the battery connections, fixed securely well apart), will the 12 volt electrical system still function through the battery charger/transformer circuit, if the 'van is connected to a mains hook-up?

Do I need to remove the charger fuse, in order to isolate the charger circuit? Or would that also isolate the transformer circuit?

Or do I have to reinstall the possibly terminally dead batteries, or replace, before connecting to either the car electrics for towing, or before connecting to a hook-up?

Many thanks

Neil C
aka Lankidden

[Trooper]

Neil, I don’t know the answer. But personally I would replace a battery, just to be on the safe side.
Hopefully someone else may have the definitive answer.

Mike

[Sorento 08]

Nov 3, 2022 11:00:56 GMT lankidden said:

Good Morning,

First of all my apologies for not contributing to the 2022 Running Totals Board, but as the Board so sadly illustrates, we haven't actually been away, (so far) this year.

In my attempts to re-commission the van in the possibility of an upcoming trip, I have brought the batteries home for a re-charge. Without going into the reasons why (!!), both batteries are not so much flat, as having been run over by a steamroller. I may, or may not, be able to recharge them, they are a particularly sturdy brand.

So here are my queries.

If the batteries are NOT re-installed, but all the wiring remains intact, (other than the battery connections, fixed securely well apart), will the 12 volt electrical system still function through the battery charger/transformer circuit, if the 'van is connected to a mains hook-up?

Do I need to remove the charger fuse, in order to isolate the charger circuit? Or would that also isolate the transformer circuit?

Or do I have to reinstall the possibly terminally dead batteries, or replace, before connecting to either the car electrics for towing, or before connecting to a hook-up?

Many thanks

Neil C
aka Lankidden

Hi Neil,
On one of our older vans we could leave the battery out and still use the mains to power the internal 12v system, but had to make sure the terminals were well away from each and covered to prevent shorting if they did touch during transit. But when my battery died recently on my present van this was not possible. TBH if you do try it, I can not see it damaging any part of the system, only say that as I tried it on mine just the other week and found nothing worked and did not do any damage, fitted new battery and all was well. HTH's Good luck.. Paul