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Subject Topic: Leisure battery or not?
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PersonDavid111
07/8/2018 at 4:04pm
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I planning to go without an EHU for the 1st time in a few weeks.

I currently run my Bailey on a 45MA car battery as I have never been without a hook up before. My question is, do I need to invest in a leisure battery?

I will be taking a generator (800w) to recharge my battery as needed. I will only be running lights off the battery as water heater, heating and fridge will be running on gas. I have changed all my lights to low wattage led bulbs so won't be using much electric for them.


PersonPickled Onion
07/8/2018 at 4:52pm
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Hi David and welcome to the forum.
I'd imagine that you will be fine with your car battery at this time of year as lights aren't needed for too many hours. It won't work as efficiently as a leisure battery but it wil save you the cost of a battery. Be aware that there are other items that are run off 12 volts, water pump, toilet flush and blower behind fire but these shouldn't be a problem until the voltage drops.

Dave.

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Teach a man to fish and you can get rid of him for a whole weekend.


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PersonDavid111
07/8/2018 at 5:12pm
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Thank you for the welcome and reply Dave.

Another question now!

If I was to buy a leisure battery and connect it with an invertor would that be sufficient to use the other electrical appliances in the caravan?

Then recharge with the generator when needed?


PersonColin21
07/8/2018 at 5:51pm
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It would depend very much on what you wanted to use. Anything with a heating element of any kind would be a definite no-no, and don't forget that inverters draw battery power to run themselves, even with nothing connected to them. In my opinion, if you are able to use a generator, I would run any 240 volt appliances directly from that.

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


PersonOctavia4x4
07/8/2018 at 6:47pm
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We spend most of our caravanning off grid using the C&CC 3/5day meets and temporary holiday sites, cheap, more outings, longer stays. I have a 110amp battery and it keeps charged up for free using sun power! I use a 150w solar panel which gives out 8amps in full sun, also have a 150w inverter to charge up a laptop, shaver and to charge up phones and watches I use a USB adaptor which just plugs into the 12v socket. Cooking, fridge, hot water and heating off gas, just use a larger cylinder which works out cheaper.
Something to consider using solar power and get out more off grid. If you use club meets there is often restrictions on generators, you can only use them at certain times through the day.



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Skoda Octavia Estate 2.0TDi 4x4 (2012) towing a Compass Omega 482 (2014)


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PersonDavid111
07/8/2018 at 8:04pm
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Thanks all, final question!!!

My wife is very reluctant to go as she will be unable to use her hairdryer and straighteners!!!!   If that is the case, is there any way around it where she could use them?


PersonColin21
07/8/2018 at 8:45pm
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Only two ways I can think of. Use the hairdryer in the site facilities if available, or run them directly off your generator if you can, but maybe you can't if it's only 800 watts. Both are far too power-hungry to viably run them off a battery.

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


Persontango55
07/8/2018 at 8:59pm
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You can actually get gas powered hair dryers and hair straigteners if you look online which is an alternative if you don't have electric hook up.


PersonColin21
07/8/2018 at 9:51pm
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Quote: Originally posted by tango55 on 07/8/2018
You can actually get gas powered hair dryers and hair straigteners if you look online which is an alternative if you don't have electric hook up.


That sounds like a good idea.

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


PersonPickled Onion
08/8/2018 at 9:45am
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Quote: Originally posted by tango55 on 07/8/2018
You can actually get gas powered hair dryers and hair straigteners if you look online which is an alternative if you don't have electric hook up.


Yep, that's what I would suggest too. They use little butane cartridges, my wife had one for when we used to go camping off grid.

Dave

-------------
Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day,
Teach a man to fish and you can get rid of him for a whole weekend.


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Persontrog100
08/8/2018 at 12:52pm
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my view is that its false economy not to have a leisure battery.. a 45 amp hour car battery is next to useless..

generators are fine if the noise isnt a problem (mostly it is) but they are expensive to run..

i spend lot of time off grid.. i have a 110 amph leisure battery plus two 100 amp batteries in the tow truck.. i also carry a generator for emergencies..

i use a small invertor for low power things that have to have mains.. some things do..

trog


PersonDavid111
08/8/2018 at 1:41pm
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Thanks all.

Trog, would an investor do the job for charging iPads, phones etc for the kids?


PersonColin21
08/8/2018 at 3:20pm
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Hi David, I take it you meant an inverter?

Yes, this would be fine as those items don't take much current at all, but could they not be charged off the car direct? This would be more efficient as you are not converting 12 volts DC to 240 volts AC, then back again to low voltage DC.

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


Persontrog100
08/8/2018 at 3:46pm
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Quote: Originally posted by David111 on 08/8/2018
Thanks all.

Trog, would an investor do the job for charging iPads, phones etc for the kids?



yes i use one for my laptop charger and a monitor.. small 150 watt ones are okay but you will still the leisure battery.. the 45 amp car battery will go flat in no time at all and then the car wont start.. :)

usb type chargers (phones) will run off the 12 volt system directly.. mains powered tvs and the like will need the inverter..

trog


PersonDavid111
09/8/2018 at 3:31pm
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Thank you everyone for your help and advice.

I have now bought a 100 MA leisure battery as nothing bigger would fit into the battery compartment in my caravan.   

I have also bought a 3000w Power inverter to run the smaller appliances in the van. (Do you think this would be powerful enough to run a hairdryer?)

I will then use the generator to recharge as and when it is needed.


Persontrog100
09/8/2018 at 3:43pm
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3000 divided 12 is 250 amps.. way too much for your 100 amp leisure battery.. you should have bought a smaller one just do not use it to its full potential.. he he..

500 watts is the most you should use and then not for very long.. my inverter is only 150 watts for a reason..

trog



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