There are many reasons to need to get access to your battery – normally because you either need to change it or charge it.
To be honest, campervans and motorhomes suffer more than most from flat batteries and other battery related issues. But why? Most vehicle batteries will overtime slowly discharge, especially if still connected up to the car or van as there will be a small demand even when the vehicle is locked and switched off. Systems such as alarms and radios will always place a small draw on the battery.
The problem that then impacts Campers is that they go for long periods without being used – and therefore also without being charged. If you can, a battery conditioner is an ideal solution to this challenge. If not, we cover below the procedure for accessing your battery.
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Slightly confusingly the battery is not under the bonnet as it is on cars. On a Fiat Ducato (from 2006 onwards) in is actually in the driving cab under the floor as shown below.
Easy steps to access the battery on a Fiat Ducato
Step one – locate the battery compartment, by removing the floor panel. As you can see there are multiple points to twist to release the catches.
Step 2. Once you have removed the cab floor panel, you are getting closer to the battery compartment. However you still need to undo the 4 bolts in the protective cover to be able to gain access. I find it easiest to use an 8mm socket to undo these, however a spanner or adjustable wrench will also do the trick.
Step 3: Congratulations, you now have access to the battery. The positive terminal is under the black cover you can see in the photo which just lifts off. If you just need to charge the battery you can now do so with any standard automotive battery charger. To replace it if it won’t retain it’s charge, step 4 is below for your benefit.
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Step 4: To remove the battery undo the central nut shown on the bar going across the battery. The battery retaining bar will then list out easily for you.
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Be careful: the battery is very heavy. A typical battery for this vehicle can weigh over 30 kilos, and the angle you have to lift it up from isn’t the best.
Hopefully you have found this guide helpful. It’s a simple enough job to undertake that doesn’t require any specialist tools. I will however admit to being confused myself the first time I popped the bonnet and couldn’t see the battery!
