Home Log in or Register

Message Forums

Welcome Guest

Reception - All Forums

Caravans and Caravanning

Topic: Leisure Battery

lexie71

07/8/2016 at 8:49pm
Location: Devon
Outfit: Swift challenger 540

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 18/1/2015

Silver Member

Forum Posts: 101

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Evening everyone our Leisure battery died this weekend some of the cells cooked themselves what a smell it made!!!! My question is we are always on EHU the van is in storage where we stay so no towing if i was not to get replacement battery would all my lights in van work i know i run the risk of EHU power cut but hay we have candles!!!!

Grampian91

08/8/2016 at 1:06am
Location: Midlands
Outfit: Mondeo Avondale Gram

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 11/5/2008

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 6893

Site Reviews Total:	2

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Depends if its a charger only or charger/PSU.

I would always use a battery, even a cheap car one, it will smooth out any ripples in the power coming into the van and a backup if the power fails.

Discounted Insurance Quotes for UKCampsite.co.uk visitors! Up to 12.5% off!

UKCampsite.co.uk users are rewarded with up to 12.5% off Caravan Guard touring caravan insurance, folding camper and trailer tent insurance, and 5% off motorhome and campervan insurance. Static caravan insurance is also available. Get an online quote now

DaveCoaches

08/8/2016 at 6:43am
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Coachman Pastiche

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 30/7/2011

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 1247

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

As Grampian says, if you're always on ehu, a second hand car battery from a breaker would do fine.

Hairywol

08/8/2016 at 8:09am
Location: Teesside
Outfit: Challenger Sport 524 + Volvo V90 D5

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 02/6/2005

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 1430
Tent Reviews: 6

Site Reviews Total:	29

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

Were you not to have a battery though your caravan lights etc. Would still work. They are recommended but not compulsory.

-------------
Camping Gear expands so as to fill the space available for its transportation.

helandchas

08/8/2016 at 10:41pm
Location: co durham
Outfit: swift challenger

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 03/4/2016

Standard Member

Forum Posts: 7

Site Reviews Total:	2

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

I've only ever used standard car batteries (the higher amp-hour the better) and likewise are always connected via EHU. Even an old one which will no longer start your car seems to last for ages.
As stated above the use of a battery is recommended for smoother charger delivery and I have once encountered a full site power cut due to overloading and still had the benefit of 12v electrics in the short term.
One tip I would suggest is turning off the charger from time to time to allow the battery to partially discharge, which not only reduces the chance of overcharging but also seems to prolong the battery's lifespan.
My current battery has been on for around 2 years and still holds charge well, even though it was second hand when fitted. Bearing in mind you never use your caravan without EHU and therefore would not need the resilience of a dedicated leisure battery (which could cost 10 times the price) I would recommend this as a cheap and practical solution.

DaveCoaches

09/8/2016 at 2:54pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Coachman Pastiche

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 30/7/2011

Platinum Member

Forum Posts: 1247

Site Reviews Total:	0

Site Reviews 2024:	0
Site Reviews 2023:	0
Site Reviews 2022:	0
Site Reviews 2021:	0
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	0
Site Reviews 2018:	0

Site Nights 2024:	0
Site Nights 2023:	0
Site Nights 2022:	0
Site Nights 2021:	0
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	0
Site Nights 2018:	0

I seem to recall a few years ago one of the club's cut open some leisure batteries and found a worrying number were actually ordinary car batteries with a different sticker on. The construction of a leisure battery should be different, as a leisure battery should have different plates, but given car batteries were effectively being sold as leisure batteries with a warranty, it would suggest that there is minimal difference in performance between them. It's also questionable whether leisure batteries were invented just to get a premium rate for a battery that costs no more to make, and in some cases is just a different sticker.

Colin21

09/8/2016 at 6:02pm
Location: East Herts
Outfit: 1992 Elddis Wisp 450CT + X Trail

View Profile

Quote

Joined: 05/11/2013

Diamond Member

Forum Posts: 6270

Site Reviews Total:	18

Site Reviews 2024:	1
Site Reviews 2023:	1
Site Reviews 2022:	2
Site Reviews 2021:	2
Site Reviews 2020:	0
Site Reviews 2019:	2
Site Reviews 2018:	3

Site Nights 2024:	7
Site Nights 2023:	8
Site Nights 2022:	12
Site Nights 2021:	18
Site Nights 2020:	0
Site Nights 2019:	21
Site Nights 2018:	18

I'm inclined to agree. We are usually on EHU, and we only have an ordinary car battery for our 12 volt electrics. Its actually the old starting battery off my boat, and its been in the caravan for the past nearly 3 years, and its doing fine.

I usually turn the charger off overnight as it isn't really needed and tends to make a humming noise. This isn't noticeable during the day, but in the silence of the night it can get annoying.

-------------
Best Regards,
Colin

In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

Prev Next
Quick Links - All Forums - Caravans and Caravanning - Top of Page

Printable version

Latest News, Discounts and Competitions see all...

10868 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker - Recommend to Friend - Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums] [Caravan Sites & Camping] [Company Listings] [Features / Advice] [Virtual Brochure] [Shop!]
[Reception] [Competitions] [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale] [Event Diary] [Contact Us] [Tent Reviews]

Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024

UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder