Just today we have picked up (new to us) motorhome. On handover I mention with my caravan I had always whilst on the drive kept it connected to the mains via hook up
But was told with the motor home it will cook the battery. I can't see why having no problem with the caravan it would be any different . Views from others
during the season we have our caravan on the drive...we use a timer....so it switches on every other day so the power isn't on 24/7...just keeps topping it up.....I cant understand what the difference is in motorhome leisure battery and the one in a caravan....unless he meant the battery used to start the motorhome? In that case I would suggest an optimate battery conditioner/charger....
My motorhome is connected to the mains for at least part of the day, more hours in winter. Six years later I have not noticed a problem. Mine doesn't charge the cab battery on mains so I have something called a Battery Master which transfers any excess charge from the leisure battery to the cab one.
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------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
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Have you considered a Solar panel on the roof ?
With a reasonable size one, mine's an 80W, you should have no need to use hook up when parked up at home.
A trickle charger between the leisure battery/s and the starter battery will mean you should have no charging issues whatever time of year.
A decent size Solar panel, two leisure batteries and a refillable gas system and, quite literally, the World is your Lobster .......
Keith
Yes we have considered the solar option and will be on our list along with refillable gas when funds allow . Next option on the list is a tow bar as I have a few classic cars (reason for the change from caravan) that was eye opener we've had quotes from less than £500 to just under 1k for virtually same options
Keith, check your electrical installation out and see if there is a split charge relay fitted. If you don't know about these, it is a clever little box which is wired in between the van battery and the leisure battery that senses when your van battery has reached full charge and then switches over so that the leisure battery receives the power from the alternator.
If you have a solar panel fitted (mine is a 150watt), this keeps my 2 x 150 ah leisure batteries fully charged at all times and then when they are fully charged, because of split charge relay, any available charge from the solar panel is fed to the van battery.
So throughout the year, because of my set up I know my batteries are all fully charged.
------------- There is a great World to be found out there, but by the very day, to find where it is becomes more of a challenge!
Buzzy-Beans - I fitted a CSB2 (CBE) 12V/4A trickle charger about 5 years ago - cost £20 off Ebay and keeps the three batteries topped up all year round and it's very rare for us to use hook-up when abroad and never use Ehu when stood on the drive at home.
My Banner leisure batteries are around four years old and still working okay.