Hi folks, my leisure battery does not seem to hold a charge, yet the green light is on so it theoretically be ok. I don’t feel that I have been using too much power from it, maybe a few lights and the odd use of the water pump at night. It also has 2 solar panels charging it on the roof. Any views?
The green light is nothing to go on, it could be that there isn't enough sun to charge it fully, either way I'd be tempted to get the battery checked at a garage or Halfords etc.
The green light on top of the battery just means that the battery is servicable therefore is not charge related in any way. I gained this information from a breakdown patrol man attending a vehicle about 3 years ago so the only way to find out how much charge is remaining in the leisure battery is to test it with a voltmeter. Test the battery at several intervals to identify if the charge is increasing or decreasing then you will have an idea if the battery needs replacing or not plus you can test what voltage output the solar panels are delivering.
There is no light in a battery, some not all batteries have a view hole, green for okay black for flat or dead.
Maybe the OP is talking about a green light in the camper.
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
The state of charge, and the 'state of health' of a battery are VERY different things! A failing battery can show a good state of charge, but have the capacity of a AAA battery - next to totally useless!
A voltage reading really only confirms state of charge, so of limited use. Solar panels can keep the charge level high, which can in a way disguise a failing battery. Only sure way of assessing a battery is a load test, which will give some indication of its state of health and capacity. Most decent battery retailers should be able to offer a decent battery test to determine whether it needs replacing or not.
Age is not necessarily too much of an indicator, lead acid batteries need good care (not too deeply discharged/recharged PROMPTLY when 'flat'!) or can fail at an early age.