01 Fiat Ducato Battery drained

van had not been started for two weeks

 
 
 
 
 
 
reelkidmusic
Craic'er
Avatar
Gender: n/a
Location: Clare
Age: 38
Posts: 96
Registered: 11 / 2014
My Motorhome:
Base Vehicle:
Subject:

01 Fiat Ducato Battery drained

 · 
Posted: 12.01.2015  ·  #1
Hi, hope somebody can help on this one. My 01 Ducato was left sitting up for the last two weeks. When I went to start it yesterday, it would not start and I had to jump it to get it going. There is a new battery fitted so did not think that it would drain that quickly. I have found that there is not much space for getting the jump leads in to the battery!

Only thing that I can think of is that the cigarette lighter, radio and reversing camera screen seem to be permanently live; i.e. radio has to be turned off after switching off key, camera screen is always on standby and cig. lighter will work without key. Would the combination of the three of these things be enough to drain the battery?

There is an isolator switch/key on the battery which I have now removed until I need to start the van again which I hope will keep the battery from draining. I presume it is possible and not a major job to change the three of these to work with the key only?

Thanks in advance.


the fat controller
Eat's Sleep's craic
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Moira, Craigavon
Age: 60
Homepage: fincaangelacat.com
Posts: 9454
Registered: 04 / 2012
My Motorhome: Benimar Tessoro 481
Base Vehicle: Ford Transit
Subject:

Re: 01 Fiat Ducato Battery drained

 · 
Posted: 12.01.2015  ·  #2
The radio would normally be wired with a switched live feed, but in Motorhomes people have made the conversion over to allow them to be used without the keys in the ignition, ie when parked up wanting to listen to some music and charge a phone, are you sure you want to change it back as the master switch should cut off all the power.


reelkidmusic
Craic'er
Avatar
Gender: n/a
Location: Clare
Age: 38
Posts: 96
Registered: 11 / 2014
My Motorhome:
Base Vehicle:
Subject:

Re: 01 Fiat Ducato Battery drained

 · 
Posted: 12.01.2015  ·  #3
Quote by the fat controller


are you sure you want to change it back as the master switch should cut off all the power.



If it is what is actually causing the battery to drain, then I probably would change it back and fit a separate radio back in the living area. This is what I had done in my previous camper (self build). I found that I did not listen to the radio much when in the van though (only when driving) so it's not a priority for me I suppose.


Dan 1
Craic'er
Avatar
Gender:
Location: Cork
Posts: 91
Registered: 12 / 2012
My Motorhome:
Base Vehicle:
Subject:

Re: 01 Fiat Ducato Battery drained

 · 
Posted: 13.01.2015  ·  #4
A few months ago I had the same problem with my van a 97 Ducato conversion with both batteries going flat. I discovered that the leisure was not holding the charge and for some reason was draining the engine battery when the van was not being used, I replaced the leisure battery and this solved the problem.

Dan


reelkidmusic
Craic'er
Avatar
Gender: n/a
Location: Clare
Age: 38
Posts: 96
Registered: 11 / 2014
My Motorhome:
Base Vehicle:
Subject:

Re: 01 Fiat Ducato Battery drained

 · 
Posted: 13.01.2015  ·  #5
Quote by Dan 1

A few months ago I had the same problem with my van a 97 Ducato conversion with both batteries going flat. I discovered that the leisure was not holding the charge and for some reason was draining the engine battery when the van was not being used, I replaced the leisure battery and this solved the problem.

Dan


Thanks Dan. The leisure battery is new as well and it was not drained at the time.


Tristan @ PHM
Craic Addict
Avatar
Gender: n/a
Location: Borrisokane , North tipperary
Age: 45
Homepage: PatHoranMotors.com…
Posts: 356
Registered: 05 / 2014
Subject:

Re: 01 Fiat Ducato Battery drained

 · 
Posted: 13.01.2015  ·  #6
Change the camera to only working with ignition. Cig lighter can't drain unless something is plugin into it. I'd be doubting the stereo, what make is it?


reelkidmusic
Craic'er
Avatar
Gender: n/a
Location: Clare
Age: 38
Posts: 96
Registered: 11 / 2014
My Motorhome:
Base Vehicle:
Subject:

Re: 01 Fiat Ducato Battery drained

 · 
Posted: 13.01.2015  ·  #7
Quote by Tristan @ PHM

Change the camera to only working with ignition. Cig lighter can't drain unless something is plugin into it. I'd be doubting the stereo, what make is it?


I can't remember the make of radio, it's an aftermarket type I'd imagine and is not a common brand as I would remember the make if it was. There is a pilot light constantly on in the camera monitor so there is obviously current being drawn from there. I will try to change it over next chance I get and report back. I'm busy for next few days so won't get near it to take a look.


Selected quotes for multi-quoting:   0

Registered users in this topic

Currently no registered users in this section

The statistic shows who was online during the last 5 minutes. Updated every 90 seconds.