Jonny, I have the CTEK and have left it on 247 when MH not in use and to date 5 years on the batteries are still working away when off EHU (last trip was 109 days without EHU) so the answer is yes. I have been working on batteries all my life and have a very good knowledge of how they work and how to make them last. Batteries should be on charge all the time when not in use and should never be discharged below 50% or 12.2volts - Bw aware that to charge a battery that has been discharged to 75% will take a 5/6 hour drive or 2/3 days on the CTEK charger before it is 100% charged and not just topped up.
Fox Molder, have you any knowledge of the EZA as an alternative to leisure batteries. I would appreciate a bit of info from an expert with experience of batteries!
Thanks
------------- Life's not a rehearsal..don't put it off DO IT NOW!
Designed in France, the EZA 12V Lithium power-pack system is the ultimate power source for anyone who has an unlimited bank account. They will not overheat and, even when punctured, do not catch fire, but at the cost of £11,945.00 I would never ever consider it. If money's no object by all means, but the system that 99.9% are using now works and will work for the foreseeable future. Ask me in 10 years time.
If your intention is to double your battery capacity, there is only one way and that is to connect the batteries together in parallel. That is positive to positive, and negative to negative. Keep the batteries as close together as possible, and use cable of the same size as your main battery cables.
Connecting batteries in this way will still give you 12 volts, but close to double the amperage, provided you use batteries of the same capacity.
When connecting two batteries together in the way already mentioned, its better to use a connection on one battery say the + and a - connection on the second battery, if possible.
I have heard that one Paul-B, but never quite got why. I can't see how it would make any difference unless the leads between the batteries were very long. Certainly wouldn't do any harm though.
Must admit the leisure batteries on my boat were like that, but purely because it was easier for the cable runs. The batteries were end to end in the battery bay, rather than side by side. When I bought the boat it had just one battery that did everything! I completely rewired it.
I'm new to motor homing and this weekend has been my first trip away. New Forest site with no hook up, leisure battery was fully charged after driving here but went flat Very quickly, 15 mins. Spoke to dealer who suggested new battery which they would cover the cost of. Fine the first night ,but the last two nights the battery has been flat in the morning even though it had a boost by running the engine in the evening. Gas heater was the only equipment left on overnight on a low setting.
How long should leisure batteries last on minimal use? I feel something is draining the battery all the time. Help!!
I would get hold of an amp meter, if you haven't already got one. Connect it in the positive output cable from the battery, that will tell you if anything is draining current. The battery certainly should not go flat overnight. If it does, and there is nothing draining it, it is knackered!