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Subject Topic: Leisure battery Post Reply Post New Topic
Personmartindoggy
24/3/2017 at 7:29pm
 Location: mansfield
 Outfit: Bailey Unicorn 2 Vigo Freelander 2 View martindoggy's Profile View Profile   Reply to martindoggy Reply   Quote martindoggy Quote  
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My 5 year old battery I think is coming to the end of its life, even when fairly new when I had it serviced the engineer said the voltage was good but the cranking capacity was not what it should be?
My caravan is a Sterling Europe windward 540 and has a powertouch evolution mover on it, I've always charged this with a C-TeK smart charger.
So looking for recommendations for a new one?
Not familiar with all the types?
Thanks Martin


PersonGrampian91
24/3/2017 at 11:38pm
 Location: Midlands
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Leisure batteries do not have a cranking capacity.

They are designed for slow drain applications and fairly low charge rates and voltages.

A car battery will have a short duration high drain (starter motor etc) and then recharged.

As long as its a decent brand leisure battery and not a cheap rebadged budget item, correctly charged and stored it should last well.

Not sure why your engineer mentioned a cranking voltage. Batteries are tested under load but not as much load as a starter motor.


Personmartindoggy
25/3/2017 at 10:13am
 Location: mansfield
 Outfit: Bailey Unicorn 2 Vigo Freelander 2 View martindoggy's Profile View Profile   Reply to martindoggy Reply   Quote martindoggy Quote  
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Thanks Grampian91 I didn't understand the cranking thing either? He said the voltage was OK though. My caravan on my front on grass and has to go up an incline onto the drive so it's needed.
I know I need a 110ah but don't understand the types which would suit we never go without hook up.


PersonOpensauce
25/3/2017 at 10:57am
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By cranking capacity he probably means how well it holds charge. ie when you are using the mover. If it's getting old it will discharge quicker.

To check battery. Fully charge it. Then disconnect it from everything. After a couple of hours check voltage. Should be at least 12.6v ie fully charged & off charge. If it holds that voltage for a couple of weeks then battery will do you for another season probably.


PersonWendy106
25/3/2017 at 11:58am
 Location: West Midlands
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If you only use it for the motor mover then you could probably get away with an 85ah. We had a motor mover on our Lunar CS 540 and the 85ah coped fine. We only changed to a 110ah when we started going off grid.


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PersonGrampian91
25/3/2017 at 7:22pm
 Location: Midlands
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You dont need a 110Ah battery unless moving the van quite a distance or having to move it backwards and forwards a lot to get it into a tight spot.

I have moved mine with a small jump pack with an 18Ah battery. And its well over 6 years old so the battery will have lost some capacity.


Personmartindoggy
25/3/2017 at 10:00pm
 Location: mansfield
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Cheers folks any pointers on what to look for? AGM, gel,
The one I've got isn't a top brand


Persontango55
26/3/2017 at 3:00am
 Location: Lichfield
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If you Google the Camping & Caravanning data sheet number 33, this explains just about everything you need to know about cranking batteries and leisure batties, how they are constructed and the the difference between gel and AGM batteries etc.


PersonOpensauce
26/3/2017 at 7:54am
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Any brand will do the job. You need a normal leisure battery. Your choice will be cheaper 3yr guarantee or slightly more expensive 5yr guarantee battery. Tanya are as cheap as any & cheaper than most. Lucas is a good brand. I've got one 86a/h. 3yr warranty.

As pointed out. Battery maintenance is important to preserve battery life. charge once a month if caravan is not being used. If you use mover to park caravan up at end of trip then charge battery. Battery should not be left in a discharged state.


Persontango55
26/3/2017 at 12:01pm
 Location: Lichfield
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I also have a Lucas 100ah. deep cycle battery which I have had the for 3 years now and charge it frequently with a smart charger. I bought and collected my leisure battery from the battery supplier below at a good price but they do a next day delivery if required.


Here


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Personmartindoggy
26/3/2017 at 1:43pm
 Location: mansfield
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Thanks

I leave mine on charge permanently with the c-tek smart charger


PersonJimC
27/3/2017 at 2:48pm
 Location: Spennymoor Co. Durham
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I've recently bought a Banner Energy Bull from Alpha batteries, 110ah, £105

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