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Subject Topic: Newbie needing advice on Leisure Battery
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Personsue-k-2009
07/6/2014 at 12:43pm
 Location: Cumbria
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Hi All - just collected our new caravan on Tuesday and it is now in secure inside storage. We have a brand new 120 ah battery fitted - whilst we will use electric hookup on site we have a motor mover so need the battery for that. I am ok with knowing how the battery charges whilst towing and on site. But my question is what should I do when van in storage. we have removed the battery and have at home how long can it be kept without being charged and should I buy a charger to trickle charge it at home. If so do I need a special caravan battery charger. Some of your valuable advice would be most appreciated.
Thanks Sue

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sue-k


PersonGrampian91
07/6/2014 at 12:52pm
 Location: Midlands
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Charge it monthly with a decent car or leisure battery charger.

I have a CTEK charger and leave it on for a few days to a week at a time.

They are not cheap so you want to keep it topped up.

The vans charging system wont 100% charge it. They keep the battery at a floating charge to prevent gassing.


Personnarm
07/6/2014 at 12:53pm
 Location: stoke-on-trent
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hi sue,if you have no access to power while your van is in storage,then i would invest in a battery charger to trickle charge over the winter months,this will keep the cells inside the battery in tip top condition hope this helps


Persontango55
07/6/2014 at 3:05pm
 Location: Lichfield
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There's only one type of charger that is suitable for a leisure battery which is called a smart charger which monitors the charge respectively in 4 stages with the final stage being a float charge which can be left switched on 24/7 without the battery reaching a gassing stage. If a battery reaches a gassing stage it over heats the acid thus leading to internal warped lead plates therefore reducing the life of the battery. A reputable brand of smart charger is C-Tek as 'Grampian91' suggested and more information can be found in the link below.

C-Tek Smart Chargers


Personbrianconwy
07/6/2014 at 5:26pm
 Location: north wales
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Lidl do a similar charger for £15. We have always left ours on hook-up at home and the battery has lasted 7 years being charged with the sargeant caravan charger. The important thing is to not leave the battery with little charge on it.


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Personsue-k-2009
07/6/2014 at 6:19pm
 Location: Cumbria
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hi thanks for the replies so far. It is clearer now. C Tek smart chargers do a 3.8 and 5 which would I need for a 120ah battery. Towsure do a Maypole one for £29.95 anyone got any experience of those or are we better to go for the best. Do you get what you pay for?
Sue

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sue-k


Personalbee
07/6/2014 at 7:14pm
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Hi, I would go for the larger charger for 120amp battery, one other tip don't store the battery standing directly on concrete floor.


PersonLlaniDavis
07/6/2014 at 8:06pm
 Location: Llanidloes Powys
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The C-Tek is of known good quality with very few adverse comments from all the different type of people who use them, from motorcyclists to classic car owners.

Aldi and Lidl often have a very similar unit on offer that also has very good reports.

From my past experience I have never been happy with some of the Maypole products. I suspect they are cheap for a good reason.


Persontango55
07/6/2014 at 9:54pm
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I used to have a Maypole trickle charger as well which I wouldn't recommend either. A brand new 110 ah. caravan battery only lasted me just over two years that's what prompted me to buy the right type of charger which charges in 4 stages instead of one constant charge rate. My smart charger is made by Durite and have never had a problem since using this type of charger.
The caravan onboard charger will only charge to about 80% capacity so you never get a full charge because it doesn't need to as it doesn't discharge when on EHU but if you are going to site with no electric hook up then the battery will only have just over three quarter charge so then the use of a smart charger is the best solution.



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