Intro and query

Hello all,

My parents recently purchased their first camper, a 1993 Laika 620 Laserhome. Factory built based on a 2.5 Ducato.

We are exploring it at home before taking any trips. Trying to get to know it and systems before heading anywhere.

Anyone familiar with this model?

Had a few questions, but will focus on leisure battery system with this post.

I think Leisure battery is dead. With ignition off and disconnected from mains supply, battery reads 8.91v. With engine running it reads 13.15v. With engine running and mains connected it reads 13.28. With engine off and mains connected it reads 9.58v (if I switch off circuit breaker in cabin, it drops to 9.56. Note: Circuit breaker Doesn’t seem to disconnect power to everywhere, just anything originally wired through a control board. Previous owner has wired in extension cords that seem to bypass the circuit breaker.)

With engine running, switch for fridge lights up on battery or mains switch. With engine off, only mains switch for fridge works.

Finally. All readings were from a multimeter. There is also an aftermarket meter in dash, with a USB port and 12v cigarette port. Readings from this match the multimeter except when engine off AND mains plugged in AND circuit breaker on or live....In that case readings jump from 16.5v to 9.9v to 10.4v etc. If I switch off breaker it reads the same as multimeter again.

Any general thoughts on what any of this means. I am going to replace leisure battery but would like to know if anything with system seems out of the ordinary?

Also..I plugged in 12v trickle charger for a few days before all this...leading me to think battery is fooked.

Thanks for any thoughts or advice.

Ben

Thanks!

Thanks Ally. That’s what I was reckoning.

Getting over 13 v when engine was running but only getting 9.5v when connected to mains was throwing me.

I expected mains to charge leisure battery same as alternator. Am
I wrong?

Mains would only be putting in 5 amps. Maybe some of our more technical electrical experts will be along soon.

The battery is f***ed, the internal resistance is gone up and the mains charger is neither powerful enough or sophisticated enough to regulate the voltage correctly. The alternator will be putting out a significant multiple of the power that the mains charger is, so it can hit the required voltage.

It may be worth looking into a replacement mains charger with smart 3 or even 4 stage charging which will greatly prolong the life of the replacement battery.

Thanks eirebus! When you refer to mains charger...is that the trickle charger I plugged in? Or should there be a charger fitted somewhere that works from the mains ac hookup? (Stupid question...ignoring the fact that my battery is bolloxed...I just assumed that there would be a factory fitted charger that works from mains hookup?) or do I need to buy an aftermarket one?

@MarkandWendy it’s a Yuasa L36-100

Important question re getting a good replacement

Thanks everyone for all the replies! Will be replacing the current battery with the more modern Yuasa L36-EFB. https://www.alpha-batteries.co…y-l36-efb/

Think we'll go for a mains charger to use with EHU and a battery to battery charger for when we are driving. QUESTION though....do people wire in a mains charger or just plug it in to a socket in the van?