This means it cannot leak and they are completely spill-proof. They can be tipped over without worrying about electrolyte seeping out. They are not commonly used in the UK but are a great choice for people planning on camping 'off-grid' as they offer a greater performance.
They are a more expensive option. Gel batteries are best leisure battery for off-grid adventures. If the charge in a sealed lead acid battery isn't kept topped up it can be damaged by a process called sulphation.
A multimeter can be used to check the charge level of a battery at any time. The table below can be used as a guide to determine your battery charge based on the reading from the multimeter. The battery can be charged on the mains system when it is hooked up in a caravan park. Once the battery is hooked up it can begin charging. The hook up system can simultaneously run the 12v requirements of the caravan or motorhome.
Once the battery is charged, it can take over the operation of the 12v appliances. As mentioned above, be careful to keep the charge level of the battery topped up. Leaving a battery in a discharged state can cause irreversible problems. Therefore, a better way to keep your battery charge topped up in to use a split charge system, see below Split charging is a great battery charging method for making sure your battery is always topped up and ready to go.
It helps prevent the risk of it running flat when you most need it. A split charge system connects the leisure battery to the starter battery in your vehicle and safely charges it every time the engine is running.
AGM batteries — We mentioned these briefly in the section about car batteries v leisure batteries. AGM, or Absorbent Glass Mat batteries comprises of lead plates and compressed glass fibre in each cell. Combined with specific manufacturing processes, this makes the battery capable of a much longer lifespan than a lead-acid one. However, it is also more expensive to produce. As well as being able to withstand a greater number of charging cycles, AGM batteries have the advantage of being functional as both starter and leisure batteries.
Maintenance-free batteries — While conventional batteries have removable caps to allow the acid levels to be checked and topped up with deionised water, some manufacturers are now producing what is described as a maintenance-free battery. This is a sealed unit which cannot be topped up, built due to the fact that batteries which are not charged in excess of If Why should I use a leisure battery? Lead-acid battery safe handling Due to the flammable nature of batteries and the corrosive properties of the acid within, proper safety measures must be followed when handling batteries.
Ensure the battery is properly mounted and the gas escape vent correctly fitted at all times Safety clothing and eye equipment must always be worn when inspecting a battery High quality clamps should always be used to connect a battery to prevent any sparks from occurring and causing fire.
If not, top up with deionised water as required. Never allow a battery to completely run flat as this can greatly reduce the lifespan Remember to care for your battery when your caravan or motorhome is to be unused for a period of time. A trickle charger is a good idea in this situation Never leave the battery uncharged. For example, a 90Ah battery will need at least a 9 amp charger. Meter Reading Approximate Charge Level Failure to do so will result in an inaccurate reading Always remove the negative terminal first when disconnecting a battery Never smoke near a battery Do not use a charger on the battery or drive your motorhome for four hours before testing, as a recently used battery will give a higher reading An alternative method of checking the charge level of a battery is using a hydrometer to measure the electrolytes in the cells.
Always have a window open to allow gases to escape while the battery is charging. Temperature — The colder the temperature, the poorer the performance of the battery. For example, an Ah battery operating in 15C temperature will actually perform as a Ah. Age — Most batteries will not last more than around five years due to a decrease in performance over time Consumption — If a high number of appliances are run from a battery, it will discharge quicker and therefore need to be recharged more often.
This frequent recharging will cause the battery to degrade sooner. Size — The more appliances you need to run, and the more power-hungry those appliances are, the bigger your leisure battery will need to be. For example, a motor mover will require a large battery. You should also consider the time of year you tend to travel, due to the reduction in performance caused by cold weather.
Discharge rate — The Ah rating provided by the manufacturers of batteries normally assumes a discharge time of 20 hours. The capacity will normally be provided at two or three different levels, such as 95Ah at a 20 hour rate, 80Ah at a 5 hour rate and Ah at a hour rate.
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In contrast to standard car batteries, leisure batteries provide a balanced flow of electrical current over a lengthy period of time and only when the voltage level has fallen substantially does it need to be recharged. It is vitally important that if the leisure battery falls below the recommended voltage level that it is recharged.
The recommended voltage for Leisure batteries is between If left for a long period of time in a discharged state, the leisure battery will not regain its former condition. Here at National, we stock a wide range of batteries. Whether you are looking for a battery for your car or van, or whether you be an owner of a motorhome or caravan, we supply a variety of car and leisure batteries. To find the correct battery, should that be a Platinum car battery, or a platinum leisure battery, please click on the link below to find the battery to fit your requirements.
Car batteries can be used to power caravans and motorhomes however this is only a short term solution as car batteries are not designed to release the power over an extended period.
Despite both car and leisure batteries both using lead acid technology, a leisure battery is not equipped to be fitted in a car. A car battery is also not equipped to be fitted within a caravan or motorhome. The function of a leisure battery is to provide a consistent flow of power over a long period of time, whereas, a car battery main function is to start the vehicle. If a car battery would be fitted in a motorhome, it would degrade and permanently reduce the performance of the car battery.
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