Hi all, could someone tell me if power would be taken from my leisure battery if, whilst in storage, the mains switch is on, light power switch is on (but no lights on)and everything else is off.
No, as the only power consumed would be any 12 volt equipment you had switched on. If no electric hook up is connected then any 240 switches won't work anyway.
Discounted Insurance Quotes for UKCampsite.co.uk visitors! Up to 12.5% off!
If you have a problem with your battery discharging with no apparent load it is possible that it may be caused by the battery charger.
It's known as parasitic loading where the charger draws current from the battery as part of its analysing procedure.
saxo1
As above about the parasitic load. A tiny voltage may pass through some items without causing an issue but whilst in storage it will eventually drain the battery.
A battery will self discharge in air alone. If you store them on concrete they will run down fairly quickly.
You should always charge a leisure battery monthly. Using a proper charger that will get it upto 100% charge not the onboard charger that may cut off at 80% to prevent the battery gassing off.
Yes most definitely but the best way to charge a leisure battery is by the use of a smart charger which charges in 4 stages and will prolong the life of the battery. The final stage is a float charge that can be left connected 24/7 as it doesn't allow the acid to get to the gassing stage like a standard battery charger will. Overheating the acid is likely to distort the internal lead plates which in turn will shorten the life of the battery.
More detailed information can be found in the link.
Quote: Originally posted by Grampian91 on 26/5/2014
If you store them on concrete they will run down fairly quickly.
This is a complete myth. It goes back to the days when batteries were made with hard rubber cases with a high carbon content which allowed a current leakage through damp concrete.
Use a bit of common sense, how can the concrete floor affect a battery sealed in a strong non-conduncting/non-porous plastic case?
Quote: Originally posted by graystreet on 27/5/2014
Thanks all,
Last used the battery with motor mover to position van up a slight incline into storage bay and was left for about 5weeks but left mains switch on.
So for future reference would you suggest removing battery when storing for more than a couple of weeks and putting on charge at home?
Did you remember to turn the isolator switch for the motor mover off? This is a separate circuit. If not, while the circuitry will power itself down and go into standby, it will still draw a tiny current through the system. ..... Enough over time to drain the battery.
Don't bother removing the battery once you have found the problem. I only charge my battery up once every 3 months over the winter period, and it only needs a small charge. My battery is now 6 years old and still going strong.