Hi.
I was told by the gent who services our caravan that during the winter months when the caravan is stood I should put the battery on charge for 24 hours when it is a little low to keep it healthy and e tend its life. He said a 1amp charge for 24 hours should be sufficient.
I have just been at Halford pricing up leisure battery chargers and the sales bloke was trying to talk me into paying £150-170 for a 10 or 12 amp charger..
Can anyone recommend a decent chargerplease?
I think this has been discussed many times in these forums.
There is quite a large choice of trickle chargers from the likes of Lidl, Aldi or even Screwfix where I got mine. You do not need such an expensive unit.
If/when you can get hold of one, the Aldi charger is as good as any. I have been using one for several years now and my leisure battery holds a good charge as a result. We don't use our caravan in the colder months so I take the battery off, bring it indoors, and give it a charge with my Aldi charger every now and again and that is all it seems to need.
Only snag with the Aldi chargers is that they are not always in stock and when they are in they usually go quickly. Mine was about £13 when I bought it and I saw them at a similar price last time my local shop had them in.
I have a Halfords Smart charger which was around £70. it's 6 amp and automatically adjusts its rate. You can set it for normal, stop start or lithium. I used it in lockdown on our car as it wasn't being used much.
I have just charged the van battery as I removed it when the van was put in store.
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The one I bought is an Einhel. It is an intelligent charger so ideal to leave connected for a long period. Mine is only a 1 amp max charge, but adequate to keep a battery topped up.
What you have been told about keeping your leisure battery on charge 24/7 during the winter months is correct but you don't need a high amp charger to do the job. The best advice is to buy a smart charger which are designed specifically to charge in multiple stages then will remain on a float charge to prevent it from overcharging which is why they are safe to use. The one I use is a 6 amp smart charger and adequate enough to do the job but they do vary in price so best to shop around. The C-TEK brand are renown for quality but there are cheaper ones on the market.
I myself have the first one I linked to and very capable it is to.
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------------- XVI yes?
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Quote: Originally posted by Bramston on 08/11/2022
You could just stick a solar panel on the roof and trickle charge your battery from that.
Not really advisable as it's only charging during daylight hours and we don't get many of them during winter months. It's still advisable to charge 24/7 by day and night via a mains smart charger if you seriously consider prolonging the life of your battery. A smart charger is far more practical and a cheaper investment than a solar panel.
I myself have the first one I linked to and very capable it is to.
Mine is neither of those, but then I have had it a while. Mine is an Auto XS charger I bought from Aldi. They are probably very similar in performance though.
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Quote: Originally posted by Bramston on 08/11/2022
You could just stick a solar panel on the roof and trickle charge your battery from that.
Surely more expensive than buying a smart trickle charger?
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Quote: Originally posted by Bridlington on 07/11/2022
Hi.
I was told by the gent who services our caravan that during the winter months when the caravan is stood I should put the battery on charge for 24 hours when it is a little low to keep it healthy and e tend its life. He said a 1amp charge for 24 hours should be sufficient.
I have just been at Halford pricing up leisure battery chargers and the sales bloke was trying to talk me into paying £150-170 for a 10 or 12 amp charger..
Can anyone recommend a decent chargerplease?
Cheers
Len
Any feedback?
------------- XVI yes?
As well is two words!
How does a sage know everything about everything? or does he? or does he just think he does?
Remember, if you buy something you bought it, not brought it.
Quote: Originally posted by tango55 on 08/11/2022
What you have been told about keeping your leisure battery on charge 24/7 during the winter months is correct but you don't need a high amp charger to do the job. The best advice is to buy a smart charger which are designed specifically to charge in multiple stages then will remain on a float charge to prevent it from overcharging which is why they are safe to use. The one I use is a 6 amp smart charger and adequate enough to do the job but they do vary in price so best to shop around. The C-TEK brand are renown for quality but there are cheaper ones on the market.
Just bought one of these smart chargers myself. I brought the van battery in after laying idle for probably 3 months - and in some of the coldest weather, and it was still in very good charge. They last a long time after being fully charged with no draw such as trackers and alarms.
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Topic: Leisure battery trickle charger.
via mobile 07/11/2022 at 4:20pm
