Van storage preparation

[Holden_man]

Hi folks,
Question for those that cover their vans. What do members do with the battery. Does the van draw small amounts of power (like standby power at home). If it does can the battery be isolated so not to draw its voltage down to low and damage it. We have a cover coming with the new van but if used, there goes the trickle charging from the solar panel on the roof. Maybe a clear panel could be sewn into the cover?? Can't store the van at home, no room, so into storage she will go. That will be a sad day when we tuck her in and drive away. :frown:

Thanks
Jas

 

[BUSH PALACE]

Hey Jas fully charge your battery then disconnect it while in storage even take out the battery and leave it home on trickle charge

 

[Holden_man]

Thanks BP,
You reckon the van will drain it if left connected? I don't know yet what access will be like to the battery compartment but maybe install an isolator?

Jas

 

[Burnsy]

Hey Jas, if you use your van once a month should be ok as the solar will charge on your trip but if storing it away from your house I'd feel safer with a isolator switch or at least turn battery switch off and keep a check on voltage. You must be storing your van outdoors as you mentioned a clear panel in the cover, maybe it's just me but I would be too paranoid to leave van unattended for long periods with battery charging.

Basically a charge once a month will keep your battery in top condition so you get a good life out of it. If you have
longer periods where your not using then I would do what BP said and take out/home to keep it topped up. By the way I love your choice of van.....enjoy!

Cheers.

 

[Holden_man]

Hi burnsy,
Good point with long term charging unattended. Van will be stored at 1 of two local van storage mobs. One has only open storage the other has open storage and under shade cloth for extra $.
Think the better option as you and BP suggest is remove the battery all together and charge before using.
Yep like your choice of van also, you must be particularly clever I reckon, with excellent taste in all things including caravans! :thumb: 14 days and counting eh...

 

[Holden_man]

Hey burnsy,
Will be interested in your feedback on how the Paj handles the 1857-6 OB when it arrives, We will be right on the limit with the Prado from a weight point of view. I love my tojo, but we may have to consider changing vehicles :frown: Also which brake controller are you using? I have asked for a P3 but finding a spot to mount it in the 150 series is a pain. Need a redarc design but in proportional! Not sure if your Paj is an Auto, if so do you think we will need auto coolers. And are you installing a WDH.
Lots of questions sorry for that.

Regards
Jas

 

[Burnsy]

Hi Holden_man, sent you a pm.

Cheers.

 

[Xpandafan]

Hi all, especially HM. Just a reminder when storing van with a cover. Use a cover fabric that "breathes" and leave a few windows / hatches open a fraction for ventilation. Have heard of several experiences of mould forming with condensation. I think they tried to save $$$ and used poly tarps or similar.

 

[Holden_man]

Thanks Xpandafan,
We have a cover coming with the van, so no idea of what it's made of, I expect it will be "tarp" like. Will have a look when it arrives but letting some air in is a good point. Has anyone had issues with the covers scratching the Van, and does anyone put anything under the cover to protect the top from the likes of Hail.
thx

 

[Xpandafan]

Thanks Xpandafan,
We have a cover coming with the van, so no idea of what it's made of, I expect it will be "tarp" like. Will have a look when it arrives but letting some air in is a good point. Has anyone had issues with the covers scratching the Van, and does anyone put anything under the cover to protect the top from the likes of Hail.
thx

Softer cover (mine is Prestige brand) is a bit the reverse, any sharper edges/corners can rub the cover. Some covers come with reinforcing patch fabric for such points.

 

[simond]

Hey burnsy,
Will be interested in your feedback on how the Paj handles the 1857-6 OB when it arrives, We will be right on the limit with the Prado from a weight point of view. I love my tojo, but we may have to consider changing vehicles :frown: Also which brake controller are you using? I have asked for a P3 but finding a spot to mount it in the 150 series is a pain. Need a redarc design but in proportional! Not sure if your Paj is an Auto, if so do you think we will need auto coolers. And are you installing a WDH.
Lots of questions sorry for that.

Regards
Jas

Hey Jas,
Saw that you too have the Prado & worried about weight? We decided to change vehicles because of this & our Prado was petrol & costing a fortune every time we towed. Done alot of research & decided on the new4x4 Mazda BT50. Best decision we made, & we don't need a WDH.
If your right on the limit now, you will be well over by the time you have loaded up + carrying water.
For us it was about safety, & towing with the right vehicle, especially if your Insurance company get involved.
AS for the brake controller we have ours left side of the steering column about knee height, if that makes sense.

 

[Holden_man]

Thanks guys,
Our 150 series is diesel, so we'll see how she handles/pulls the extra weight. The ATM for the van will be close to 2500kg, which includes the allowed load of 475kg that Jayco specify. So the total load will be right on the limit of the Prado. The BT50 is a good lookin truck though. You say you don't need a WDH, does the ute drop in the back much when you put the van weight on the tow bar? Did you tow the 18' with the Prado before getting rid of it. Other than being a thirsty bugger how did it handle the van? Was the 18.57.5 over 2500kg. The 18.57.6 OB we are awaiting delivery is a smidge (technical term) lighter than yours so we should stay legal. Who would have thought that back bed in yours would be heavier.
I do love my toyota's though, it will be hard to part with the Prado if it comes to that. Can't afford a Cruiser.

 

[straydingo]

not to do with covers, but don't forget to leave the fridge door (and freezer flap) ajar if turned off
(Xpandafan's comment of mould reminded me)

 

[boots33]

Hi folks,
Question for those that cover their vans. What do members do with the battery. Does the van draw small amounts of power (like standby power at home). If it does can the battery be isolated so not to draw its voltage down to low and damage it.

Hey Jas
All lead acid batteries batteries will self discharge if left for long periods without being charged, so if left long enough they will eventually go flat. AGM batteries have a very low self discharge rate so they can be left for quite a few months without any worries.

The setec will draw a few milliamps as will the stereo if you have one fitted so you are best to turn off the battery switch as this will isolate the battery from the rest of the van.

If the van is going to be stored for long periods of time one solution you may want to look at would be to use a small solar setup to keep the battery topped up. You can pick up 10w panels for around $30 and unless you have a very large battery bank i would think that would be more than enough to do the job. Add a regulator, wire and a couple of plugs and you should be set for well under $100 . You could zip tie the panel on top of the shade cloth and run the wire back to a plug on the van. Depending on how your trailer plug is wired you may be able to plug the panel in there (through a regulator) without adding any extra wiring to the van.

 

[Holden_man]

not to do with covers, but don't forget to leave the fridge door (and freezer flap) ajar if turned off
(Xpandafan's comment of mould reminded me)

Thanks straydingo, good tip!

 

[Holden_man]

Hey Jas
All lead acid batteries batteries will self discharge if left for long periods without being charged, so if left long enough they will eventually go flat. AGM batteries have a very low self discharge rate so they can be left for quite a few months without any worries.

The setec will draw a few milliamps as will the stereo if you have one fitted so you are best to turn off the battery switch as this will isolate the battery from the rest of the van.

Thanks boots, I asked for an AGM will see what we get when the panda arrives. I don't know where the isolator will be located but will be sure to ask when it arrives. Like the idea of a small external panel plugged in, as mentioned in previous replies, do you think there is a concern with ongoing trickle charging when left unattended for extended period?
Would you sleep better at night turned off or removed?

Thanks jas

 

[boots33]

do you think there is a concern with ongoing trickle charging when left unattended for extended period?
Would you sleep better at night turned off or removed?

charging of batteries via solar is very common these days. you will see it used for everything from remote gates to portable traffic lights and marker buoys. buy a good quality regulator and make sure you protect the circuit with a fuse and you should be fine. I installed a 20w panel when we built our house 7 years ago it charges a small battery that runs a system of night lights throughout the house and it has worked flawlessly in that time. So i would have no problems with a small panel to keep the van charged. As with anything of a mechanical nature i would still recommend the occasional check to make sure all is well, but i guess you would be doing that anyway, I know i would if my van was stored somewhere away from home.

 

[Holden_man]

thanks boots

 

[relgate]

not to do with covers, but don't forget to leave the fridge door (and freezer flap) ajar if turned off
(Xpandafan's comment of mould reminded me)

How does one leave the freezer flap ajar on the 150L?

 

[Burnsy]

Hi relgate, just get one of your stubbie holders and put in the opening, that's what I used to do and left it there for a week then took out and let it close again.....all good and no smells/mould. Same with fridge door....close after a week and all good! Ps. I wipe out with chamois first.

Cheers.