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It really depends on many factors how long a battery will last...the 'Ah' of the battery and the age/condition being the main factors, We have a newish 85Ah battery which easily lasts a week if used for our two 12v lights at night and the water pump when required.

If you have a Zig unit or other similar power control unit in your caravan, then make sure the switch that says 'Car/Caravan' is switched to Car when towing, this will then as already said charge your battery as you go.

If you are unsure of your batteries performance or don't have car-caravan charging etc, then it could be an idea to put your generator in the boot just incase. (or a spare battery).

On our van, if your van battery runs out you can use from your car battery in an emergency by connecting the 12S to the car and putting your selector switch in the "car" position.  Yours may work in the same way.  Be careful not to flatten the car battery.

Generators are best left at home if you are going to a site where there will be other campers.

That is wonderful news, the battery is new so should be fine and yes I have a zig unit, though did'nt know the name till now lol.  The most I will be running it will be for 3 days unless on a site with hookup.

Jennifer, my generator is needed as we compete at dog obedience so our camps are large muddy fields with water laid on.. and normally very 'orrible portaloos'.  Therefore now I have a caravan I will feel like royalty.  Linda

Quote: Originally posted by U-F-C on 14/1/2007

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It really depends on many factors how long a battery will last...the 'Ah' of the battery and the age/condition being the main factors, We have a newish 85Ah battery which easily lasts a week if used for our two 12v lights at night and the water pump when required.

If you have a Zig unit or other similar power control unit in your caravan, then make sure the switch that says 'Car/Caravan' is switched to Car when towing, this will then as already said charge your battery as you go.

If you are unsure of your batteries performance or don't have car-caravan charging etc, then it could be an idea to put your generator in the boot just incase. (or a spare battery).

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i would think it should be to the caravan, not the car, i only have a motorhome but i have the same sort of zig, car or motorhome for using or charging,  or off. hope that helps.

floppy

There are calculations that can work out the life of a battery..   hmm lemmee think.

Consider a leisure battery, new, 100AH, reasonable temperature, quality cabling.

This means that it'll put out 100A for 1 hr,   50A for 2 hrs,   1A for 100hrs etc.

Take a 12v strip light (12W for ease of calculation) = 1A

A 12v TV (maybe 60W)                                        =5A

Water pump                                                        =0.5A

Under locker reading lamp  (6W)                           =0.5A

This equals 7A, which means that the battery will last (100A / 7A)  14 hrs

Lose the TV, the lights will last 50 hrs,  4 hrs / night, 12 nights

phew....