We all new to caravanning having previously had a tent and we all set to go away on Monday only thing left to get is a leisure battery and im not sure what size we will need.
big is best ,gel better than flooded but prepare for deep pockets.
if your just running a couple of lights then small is ok ,once you get to running anything else (even a fridge) you need big!
110 amp are pretty standard in campers and motorhomes today just using lights you can survive for a long while before needing a charge (we lasted 13 days),if you only use EHU's you dont need one at all but they are handy anyway
Ah but can you charge these big leisure batteries ? I was told by someone from Machine Mart that unless you have a specialist charger you will never fully charge these batteries !!!!
Quote: Originally posted by daintysal on 24/5/2008
Hi
We all new to caravanning having previously had a tent and we all set to go away on Monday only thing left to get is a leisure battery and im not sure what size we will need.
Any help greatly appreciated
Thanks
Donna
It depends on your usage. If you are going to sites that have electric hook up then a cheap 85 amp leisure battery will do you well, it's only real function would be to smooth out the supply and to provide extra current when your demand is higher is higher than the power supply can provide. If you intend to stop on sites where there is no EHU then it's a different ball game. Then I would buy at least one 110amp leisure battery which should with gentle usage last you about 5 days, the problem then arises of what to do whilst you get the battery charged, and for stays longer than 5 days you would need a second battery to be used whilst the first one is charged. Most sites will be able to charge it for you, but you can set up a lead to plug into the S socket ( the grey one ) on the car with power only available when the car engine is running ( I use the fridge circuit for my extension lead as this is the only one on a post 1997 system that has this property ) and a set of battery clips ( not crocodile clips ) on the other. Whenever I go out my battery goes with me and gets a bit of charge daily.
I have always bought the cheapest suitable battery. When I started in 1992 I bought one 85 amp battery, and then 18 months later when I started using non EHU sites a lot I bought a second. Both were cheapies from caravan dealers, if you pick a big dealer they will have a supply of batteries and since they sell a lot you should get a fresh one. The first one I replaced with a 110 amp battery ( same idea cheapest possible from a caravan dealer about £50 ), the second went with my van that I traded in in 2003, the new van has a 110amp gel battery fitted. Both of the 110 amp batteries are still being used and the gel battery is no better then the cheap lead acid leisure battery.
Bought a agm 85ah battery from alpha batteries a few weeks ago. Great service. Wanted one for camping, 85 ah was the heaviest I wanted to get. Would have liked 130ah but weighs a lot!
I think you need to check your facts fatbloke28 when you suggest you don't need a battery at all if you're using EHU on site. I've asked battery/electrical questions on here recently (electric system for dummies in caravan repairs) and been told that you need a battery in circuit or the caravan electrical system can be damaged (check your handbook).
Tayna is the company we use for batteries. I would invest in a smart charger (Aldi & Lidl do them & are good value for money).
Don't forget to maintain your battery if it's wet battery and not a sealed unit. Found out the hard way recently when the battery died on our 'van. Husband took the top off and it was practically dry
Get one with a 5 year guarantee I've got 2 x 110amp elecsol (which I believe are not made any more) one I've had over 8 years and the other I bought for my now 6 + years old caravan both still going strong.
And make sure it will fit in the battery compartment of your caravan! The higher the amperage the better in my opinion, especially if you have a motor mover fitted.
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Topic: What size leisure battery?
