Our Diamond Dave repairs motorhomes for a living, which makes him the technical guru to consult when things go wrong.
First, you need to bear in mind the 50% rule – a 100Ah battery is only reliably good for 50Ah. You also need to consider that the battery’s actual capacity will vary according to how much current is being drawn – the higher the current, the less the actual capacity will be. That 100Ah battery is looking pretty puny now.
One recent case in point was a bit of a head scratcher. The customers were new motorhome owners, who complained that their twin leisure batteries wouldn’t last more than a couple of hours when they were watching TV.The batteries were new and had been tested and deemed good, and the charging systems were all functioning well, including the solar panel; so it was time for some testing.
The setup was two 100Ah leisure batteries, and a 1000W inverter whose output is fed into the ’van’s 230V sockets via a selector switch in the wardrobe (enabling the entire 230V system to be powered from the mains hook-up, or just the sockets from the inverter).
The TV system was a roof-mounted auto satellite dish and a 12V monitor connected to a Sky receiver powered from the inverter. With it set up and running, and all the internal lighting switched on, the battery voltage was monitored, as well as the total current draw (around 11A).
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Sats The Way To Do It
Our Diamond Dave repairs motorhomes for a living, which makes him the technical guru to consult when things go wrong
Stay In Charge Of Your Battery Life
Our Diamond Dave repairs motorhomes for a living, which makes him the technical guru to consult when things go wrong.
Wild Ax Joins Up With Rapido
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Following In St Cuthbert's Steps
Geoff and Chrissie Crowther spend time on foot, bike and in the ’van as they travel from Melrose in Scotland to Lindisfarne in Northumberland.
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Our Diamond Dave repairs motorhomes for a living, which makes him the technical guru to consult when things go wrong.
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Islands in the Sky
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Let's Go!
After more than two years of a pandemic and unprecedented rates of burnout, just thinking about a vacation can nourish your body and mind. But the thing is: Actually taking that trip is very much encouraged now too. Because travel isn't just a getaway for getaway's sake anymore. We're exploring again for all the right reasons-and each motive has the power to be truly transformational. It's time to change your life with a trip, starting with the inspiration to get going, plus tons o' recommendations and revelations to guide you along the way.
For Whom Does the American Flag Fly?
I'm in no hurry to wave it, but don't tell me I don't love my country
Minnie Driver
Q&A