Leisure Battery Not Always Charging

[Seadawn]

Hi,

Just found this forum !

We have had our MP for almost a year now and are loving it but the leisure battery is causing us concern and at the moment we can't get a straight answer from the dealership so we were wondering if anybody else was having similar issues.

Having searched the forum we can't see an identical issue so here goes . . . .

When driving the leisure battery charges fine - all good.

When hooked up it reports that it is charging but even with no drain on the battery once unhooked it displays the right and left hand bar only on the charge indicator (seemingly whilst it works out the actual charge status even though it will always display 12-14v or so). This status only goes away after we've driven around for a while and then it gives a status of between 1/3 and 2/3 full - never full, regardless on how long it has been on hook up.

We always get this and if we're on a site, hooked up, fridge in use everything looks okay but unhook (fridge still running) after two days stationary and being on charge and it claims a low charge, won't lower the roof, etc. In this case we hooked back up and lowered the roof and went on our way and after almost an hour it decided to give a reading of around 1/2 charged.

We're unsure if it is a battery issue, a hooked up charging issue or a console issue but if we leave the charging to driving around all is fine.

Anybody get anything similar or any advice ?

 

[Israel]

Hi,

Just found this forum !

We have had our MP for almost a year now and are loving it but the leisure battery is causing us concern and at the moment we can't get a straight answer from the dealership so we were wondering if anybody else was having similar issues.

Having searched the forum we can't see an identical issue so here goes . . . .

When driving the leisure battery charges fine - all good.

When hooked up it reports that it is charging but even with no drain on the battery once unhooked it displays the right and left hand bar only on the charge indicator (seemingly whilst it works out the actual charge status even though it will always display 12-14v or so). This status only goes away after we've driven around for a while and then it gives a status of between 1/3 and 2/3 full - never full, regardless on how long it has been on hook up.

We always get this and if we're on a site, hooked up, fridge in use everything looks okay but unhook (fridge still running) after two days stationary and being on charge and it claims a low charge, won't lower the roof, etc. In this case we hooked back up and lowered the roof and went on our way and after almost an hour it decided to give a reading of around 1/2 charged.

We're unsure if it is a battery issue, a hooked up charging issue or a console issue but if we leave the charging to driving around all is fine.

Anybody get anything similar or any advice ?

Not much but my two cents ...

' it displays the right and left hand bar only on the charge indicator (seemingly whilst it works out the actual charge status even though it will always display 12-14v or so). This status only goes away after we've driven around for a while'

This is the normal behaviour I have when I start the car, it takes a while to update the battery status I guess ...

No problems while charging so far.

Skickat från min SM-A320FL via Tapatalk

 

[The.dunnster]

Hi, might be worth giving harbour creek a call.

With a last minute before heading off on weekend away battery panic I spoke with one of their technical team who diagnosed the issue and why they thought it had happened. Result I had to pop into local merc garage for replacement. £300 later (ouch!) issue fixed.

Harbour creek were brilliant in helping and although couldn’t buy the battery from them this time I’m def supporting them with my business from now on.


If interested read on ..... Turns out had managed to leave fridge on which flattened battery. Plugged in the mains cable for 2 days before we went on leave, but when checking charge the console was dead. Turned on ignition and then it came to life and started charging. After few hours it was showing 6.6v and then started to drop slowly to 5.8v. Harbour advised charging whilst driving off alternator is much stronger than mains and possibly could have charged it fully again but mains not likely to do that. however we couldn’t risk it as we were leaving in couple of hours so opted for new battery.

Would have thought the system would have some sort of protection for the battery, but pretty disappointed to say the least.

Now checking fridge is turned off and leaving the van plugged in when not in use.

Good luck. Do keep us posted.

 

[mptripsaway]

There is protection in that the fridge and other electrical systems shut down at 10.5v in order to protect the battery and stop further drainage of both the leisure and starter batteries. See copy from manual below:

If the battery voltage drops below 10.5 V, the central control panel switches off the following consumers in this order (sleep mode):
Coolbox
Auxiliary heating
Pop-up roof
This shutdown process prevents the additional battery from being drained further.

The USB ports and interior lights however are not affected so they will continue to drain the battery if used.

It is therefore important to monitor the lesiure battery on a regular basis and maintain it by hooking up to the mains for 24 hrs at least once a month, if you do this and the battery still discharges without being used then the dealer should sort it for you under warranty.

 

[Katie]

Re just left and right bars showing - nothing to worry about - it’s in the handbook that this will happen until the computer has had time to sort itself out while you are driving ( or words to that effect as I haven’t looked st the handbook lately).

 

[Seadawn]

Thanks for all your responses.

We certainly check the battery regularly and charge it via the mains when not in use but it still doesn’t seem to fully charge.

The biggest surprise was being hooked up for two days with just the fridge running and then battery stating not enough charge.

We’re away again soon so will keep monitoring but I have a feeling it could be back to the dealership again......

 

[Seadawn]

Well, we have developments...

We’re away and this time our 7.5 amp fuse blew, so having a few spares we tried to replace it, all electrics off, etc., fuse instantly blew again. After the 5th fuse we’ve given up. What we have noticed though is that with no 7.5 amp fuse in, the battery is working normally.

The manual says if you get repeated fuse blows it needs to go to a specialist so Marco is off to the dealership when we return home.

Fingers crossed it is just a simple thing and all will be working normally soon !

 

[Seadawn]

Parts on order, all linked to the gas hob ignition switch and box, there’s a bit of a supply issue with the parts so we’ll see when they come in if everything is fixed.

 

[GeorgeG]

We have had our MP for almost a year now and are loving it but the leisure battery is causing us concern and at the moment we can't get a straight answer from the dealership so we were wondering if anybody else was having similar issues.

Took delivery of our new (pre-reg) MP 10 days ago. We’ve not used it for camping yet, but driven about in it a bit because of the novelty! It’s been driven about 230 miles, but never shown the battery fully charged.

Yesterday afternoon I decided it would be sensible to hook up to the mains and give the leisure battery a thorough charge as we intend to go away for a long weekend on Thursday. At the same time I thought I would check the fridge was working and switched it on to level 3. It was left hooked up overnight and through today. This afternoon I went to switch the fridge off and it had already switched off itself and the battery was showing 11 volts. The display showed the warning triangle and when I checked the source it showed a battery symbol crossed out. The fridge was warm (it was cool last evening) and so must have switched off, due to insufficient charge in the battery, possibly as early as this morning.

I find this quite astonishing after my experience with my Westfalia Columbus We spent 2 weeks off grid in uncharacteristically hot weather in the Outer Hebrides late May , early June this year and the battery condition indicator only ever dropped briefly to 9 bars from 10 bars overnight on one occasion. We had the fridge on 4 or 5 out of 6 all of this time. The van had 2 leisure batteries and a solar panel, but at no time did we hook up. Indeed, we’ve been on 5 or 6 weeks trips on a number of occasions with no hookup with absolutely no problem.

I can’t believe we cannot even run a fridge when hooked up, with no other equipment/devices/lights consuming electricity! If this is the case the Marco Polo is not fit for purpose, which I can’t believe as I have first hand experience of Westfalia conversions and how well they’re designed. My best guess is that the battery has pretty much had it in the sense that it will not hold its charge, or will not fully charge, due to negligence. The handbook states that the battery should be charged “at least every 4 weeks” and that “it can become irreparably damaged in the event of heavy discharging over a period of time of more than 8 weeks”. Also, “extended periods of disuse without recharging limit the battery’s capacity”.

I welcome comments on my theory that my MP sat in the showroom for 3 months with delivery mileage only and that the Mercedes dealer, being a car dealer and not a purveyor of motor homes, had no idea that you have to plug them into the mains if they are not being driven. Also, interested customers will have switched on the lights etc when viewing. When we first saw our van, which they had moved to the front of the dealership for a test drive, I queried a humming noise coming from the rear. They had no idea what it was and I eventually tracked it down to the water pump which was running as the sink tap had been left on with no water in the tank. I’ve no idea how long this had been switched on.

My problem, if the above theory is correct, will be in convincing the dealer to replace the battery when it’s demise has resulted from their negligence. I just hope I don’t live to regret buying it. It’s a great driver, but I want to bl**dy camp in it.

 

[Seadawn]

Hi George,

Did the plug symbol appear on the console when you were hooked up, if not then that could be the issue for the drained battery as we put the fridge on 3 and if the battery was low then it could take away a notch or two overnight.

Beyond that, try charging with nothing switched on and if it is warm leave the fridge door open (provided there's nothing in it !) and also ensure your water has enough in to register (I've found that constant flashing warning lights don't help).

If all that fails and you still don't charge then there's an issue either charging or something draining the battery as we have found (still waiting for the parts).

Otherwise I think I read somewhere that the dealer should take out the 50amp fuse and put it back in when the vehicle is ready to go to protect the battery.

 

[GeorgeG]

Hi George,

Did the plug symbol appear on the console when you were hooked up, if not then that could be the issue for the drained battery as we put the fridge on 3 and if the battery was low then it could take away a notch or two overnight.

Beyond that, try charging with nothing switched on and if it is warm leave the fridge door open (provided there's nothing in it !) and also ensure your water has enough in to register (I've found that constant flashing warning lights don't help).

If all that fails and you still don't charge then there's an issue either charging or something draining the battery as we have found (still waiting for the parts).

Otherwise I think I read somewhere that the dealer should take out the 50amp fuse and put it back in when the vehicle is ready to go to protect the battery.

Thanks Seadawn

Through last evening the battery didn’t go above 11v (the 2 pin plug icon is showing in the display) and at this voltage the fridge wouldn’t switch on. This morning, having been hooked up all night to the mains, the voltage is still at 11v and the fridge still won’t switch on - when I try to switch it on the crossed out battery warning icon flashes.

This is my third Campervan/Motorhome in the last 11 years or so, but all from new so it’s a problem I’ve not encountered before. When planning a trip our normal proceedure is to charge up on mains overnight with the fridge switched on to cool and then load up with cold food from the domestic fridge. We frequently were off grid for 4 days in our California (with some driving around during the day on shortish trips). Although it had 2 batteries, there was never any need to hook up to keep the fridge running. There was never any issue with our Westfalia Columbus because it had a solar panel.

Anyway, it’s booked into the local Mercedes dealer as I’m not prepared to have a holiday ruined by duff battery. I’ll report back on Friday when, hopefully, the proble is sorted.

Then I’m planning to fit a solar panel as soon as possible!

 

[mptripsaway]

Thanks Seadawn

Through last evening the battery didn’t go above 11v (the 2 pin plug icon is showing in the display) and at this voltage the fridge wouldn’t switch on. This morning, having been hooked up all night to the mains, the voltage is still at 11v and the fridge still won’t switch on - when I try to switch it on the crossed out battery warning icon flashes.

This is my third Campervan/Motorhome in the last 11 years or so, but all from new so it’s a problem I’ve not encountered before. When planning a trip our normal proceedure is to charge up on mains overnight with the fridge switched on to cool and then load up with cold food from the domestic fridge. We frequently were off grid for 4 days in our California (with some driving around during the day on shortish trips). Although it had 2 batteries, there was never any need to hook up to keep the fridge running. There was never any issue with our Westfalia Columbus because it had a solar panel.

Anyway, it’s booked into the local Mercedes dealer as I’m not prepared to have a holiday ruined by duff battery. I’ll report back on Friday when, hopefully, the proble is sorted.

Then I’m planning to fit a solar panel as soon as possible!

I suspect that your initial theory re: being drained and then standing uncharged for an extended period of time at the dealer is correct.
I have used my MP off-grid on numerous occasions for three days running fridge, water pump, various lighting + roof up/down, door, tailgate etc and voltage has never dropped below ~ 12.5v with 5 or 6 charge status bars still showing.

 

[GeorgeG]

I suspect that your initial theory re: being drained and then standing uncharged for an extended period of time at the dealer is correct.
I have used my MP off-grid on numerous occasions for three days running fridge, water pump, various lighting + roof up/down, door, tailgate etc and voltage has never dropped below ~ 12.5v with 5 or 6 charge status bars still showing.

Many thanks for the reassurance that you can actually use the MP off grid - I was beginning to wonder.
Last time I looked at the display (6pm) it still showed 11v despite being hooked up for approaching 48 hours.

Just as well we don’t normally go away in the school holidays. I’m prepared to take as long as necessary to get a permanent fix. I suspect that the alternator will charge off the battery in the 8 mile trip to the dealer, which may muddy the waters as far as convincing the dealer is concerned. To support my case I’ve been photographing the display every few hours.

 

[Roy C]

I read somewhere that, once ready to be shipped, Mercedes / Westfalia remove one of the main fuses to isolate and protect the leisure battery from draining when it's sitting in the docks and in-transit. Even with nothing on there will be a trickle discharge through the circuits if the battery isn't isolated. If the dealer has had it for a while and fitted the fuse to do demos and/or even left an internal light on accidentally (I've done this) then the battery may have discharged completely and stayed in that state for a while. I don't believe most dealers realise they should hook it up regularly to protect the leisure battery.

I've not spent any time off grid but after mains hookup the battery indicator is soon showing fully-charged. In the periods between hookups the battery level indicator seems to sit just below fully charged even after a long run, hence why a monthly mains hookup is recommended, especially over the cold months (remember those!?) because the alternator cannot get it to max charge / voltage.

A while ago I had a problem with a battery in a normal car (well a Lotus that I kept in a garage and sometimes didn't get a run out for a few weeks) that wasn't holding charge after I left the boot slightly open and the boot lights drained the battery. I took it to a local battery / tyre centre where they charged it for a short-period and then could easily test and determine that my battery wasn't holding charge so I think your dealer will be able to easily tell if your battery is a dud and replace it.

 

[Katie]

Hi George
As others have said, almost certainly a replacement battery sounds the most likely solution
Also, have you checked the water pump is still ok as it should never be left running continuously without water? Even if it is, mention it to the dealer in case it goes early at a later date and you’ve got a trail that it was abused before you had it
Battery replacement should be a simple fix if they’ve got one readily available so hope you enjoy your weekend

 

[GeorgeG]

Hi George
As others have said, almost certainly a replacement battery sounds the most likely solution
Also, have you checked the water pump is still ok as it should never be left running continuously without water? Even if it is, mention it to the dealer in case it goes early at a later date and you’ve got a trail that it was abused before you had it
Battery replacement should be a simple fix if they’ve got one readily available so hope you enjoy your weekend

Thanks Katie
May have to forgo weekend away in MP and take the car unless it proves an easy diagnosis/fix. Pump ok as tap works, but you make a good point that I should mention it to the dealer.

 

[GeorgeG]

I read somewhere that, once ready to be shipped, Mercedes / Westfalia remove one of the main fuses to isolate and protect the leisure battery from draining when it's sitting in the docks and in-transit. Even with nothing on there will be a trickle discharge through the circuits if the battery isn't isolated. If the dealer has had it for a while and fitted the fuse to do demos and/or even left an internal light on accidentally (I've done this) then the battery may have discharged completely and stayed in that state for a while. I don't believe most dealers realise they should hook it up regularly to protect the leisure battery.

I've not spent any time off grid but after mains hookup the battery indicator is soon showing fully-charged. In the periods between hookups the battery level indicator seems to sit just below fully charged even after a long run, hence why a monthly mains hookup is recommended, especially over the cold months (remember those!?) because the alternator cannot get it to max charge / voltage.

A while ago I had a problem with a battery in a normal car (well a Lotus that I kept in a garage and sometimes didn't get a run out for a few weeks) that wasn't holding charge after I left the boot slightly open and the boot lights drained the battery. I took it to a local battery / tyre centre where they charged it for a short-period and then could easily test and determine that my battery wasn't holding charge so I think your dealer will be able to easily tell if your battery is a dud and replace it.

Thanks Roy, that’s really useful and I shall quote it to the dealer tomorrow. It reinforces what I had concluded to be the most likely cause of my problem.

 

[GeorgeG]

Just got back from my local dealer with the Marco Polo. It was left overnight to charge the leisure battery so that tests could be carried out this morning. They ran a full diagnostic test on the whole vehicle and found the car battery was ok, but their testing software failed the leisure battery and said “replace battery”. So they did as they were told and I now have a new leisure battery. Everything else on the vehicle was normal.

I was not at all impressed when the senior technician who carried out the tests told me the two earth straps fitted to the battery were only hand tight! He thought someone may have removed it for some reason - testing, charging, etc - and this may have contributed to problem. I should point out that my dealer in Dorchester did not supply my MP and I was very happy with the prompt way they dealt with everything.

We’ll be trying it out this weekend so it’s bound to rain.

 

[mptripsaway]

Just got back from my local dealer with the Marco Polo. It was left overnight to charge the leisure battery so that tests could be carried out this morning. They ran a full diagnostic test on the whole vehicle and found the car battery was ok, but their testing software failed the leisure battery and said “replace battery”. So they did as they were told and I now have a new leisure battery. Everything else on the vehicle was normal.

I was not at all impressed when the senior technician who carried out the tests told me the two earth straps fitted to the battery were only hand tight! He thought someone may have removed it for some reason - testing, charging, etc - and this may have contributed to problem. I should point out that my dealer in Dorchester did not supply my MP and I was very happy with the prompt way they dealt with everything.

We’ll be trying it out this weekend so it’s bound to rain.

A positive result for you I hope and good to know that your local dealer has sorted it with no quibbles.

 

[Katie]

I’m really pleased- my experience of Mercedes in Dorchester has also been positive so far - apart from wrong tyre pressures (for which abject apologies were made) the pdi and subsequent service was excellent, especially since I was one of their earliest purchasers of the mp