I need a new leisure battery.. My caravan is in daily use as I use if for working away. So I’m wondering if it’s any inparticular battery to go for.
Leisure battery
- Thread starter Danielowenx22
- Start date
I’ve just bought a Banner from Alpha Batteries. Cheaper direct from them rather than their EBay shop. Next day delivery. Cheaper than Tanya battery. It’s a. Cat B NCC approved. 110 amp hr.
If you are on constant hook up a Cat C should be okay which gives you a wider choice.
If you are on constant hook up a Cat C should be okay which gives you a wider choice.
I have a 13o amp Numax battery in mine , about £14o from the dealer , but others will use others as lots to choose from .
Daniel, if your not using a motor mover and if you are on E HU electric hook up, then a small 85 amphr. Battery would be fine,
Please give the forum more information on how you are using your caravan, , ie, out during the day at work /college motor mover, moving around the country or in one place, and do you have a facility to recharge your battery.
Lots of folk here to help
Please give the forum more information on how you are using your caravan, , ie, out during the day at work /college motor mover, moving around the country or in one place, and do you have a facility to recharge your battery.
Lots of folk here to help
i im out of the caravan 12 hours a day but I’m mostly on electric hook up and I got s motor mover also...
But today I swapped battery’s with another caravan and as soon as I put the 12v circuit on such as lights,
Aerial and water pump on the battery went from green to yellow so could it be that the battery charger had packed in?
But today I swapped battery’s with another caravan and as soon as I put the 12v circuit on such as lights,
Aerial and water pump on the battery went from green to yellow so could it be that the battery charger had packed in?
Possibly , been there had that done , you will get a few lights that will work on a 12 volt system if the battery charger has failed , the kettle will work to but the charger is an easy fix if you can locate it , it should just slide out and new one should slide in and plug-in
Hello Daniel,
I personally don't trust the absolute accuracy of meters and gauges fitted into caravans, historically they have been very poor, and even totally misleading. I only trust my calibrated multimeters for taking measurement readings, so what the caravan's gauge is telling you should not be taken as the gospel truth.
However you can do a bit of detective work with out fancy meters.
To establish if the charger is working without breaking out test gear, firstly hook up the caravan to mains power. Then make sure all 12V appliances and lights are turned off. Now disconnect the battery. Try turning on a 12V light And see if it works. If it does the charger is working. Just a note, don't try any other appliances, as some older caravan battery chargers may damage some more sensitive electronics, and the battery is also used as a 12V power smoothing element.
To establish if the battery is still capable of doing a reasonable job, reconnect the battery, and disconnect the mains hook up. Try some of your 12V appliances. If they work, then the battery is not dead. See how long you can run on battery alone bear in mind that the battery does not power mains appliances, so especially the fridge and any space or water heating should be switched to gas operation.
A fully charged battery in decent condition should run your caravan for at least a day.
If the battery can't manage a day then it does suggest it's not holding a charge. It might be worth finding a decent batty retailer who can test the battery.
If the charger proves to be faulty, then you need to source a replacement. If the caravan is less than 6 years old it would be sensible to consider having it refurbished. If your caravan is older than that, you might consider replacing the charger with a multistage charger from a brand like Ctek. There is a Ctek model XMS10 that offers up to a 10A charge rate and it will automatically optimally maintain the battery. It can be left permanently connected.
For Hutch,
Provided the smaller battery has a peak current capacity that exceeds the motor movers peak demand, then an 85Ah battery (fully charged) will easily handle a motor mover, especially if the caravan is used with an EHU to keep the battery well charged. Most motor movers will typically use less than 1Ah of battery capacity when sitting or storing a caravan.
I personally don't trust the absolute accuracy of meters and gauges fitted into caravans, historically they have been very poor, and even totally misleading. I only trust my calibrated multimeters for taking measurement readings, so what the caravan's gauge is telling you should not be taken as the gospel truth.
However you can do a bit of detective work with out fancy meters.
To establish if the charger is working without breaking out test gear, firstly hook up the caravan to mains power. Then make sure all 12V appliances and lights are turned off. Now disconnect the battery. Try turning on a 12V light And see if it works. If it does the charger is working. Just a note, don't try any other appliances, as some older caravan battery chargers may damage some more sensitive electronics, and the battery is also used as a 12V power smoothing element.
To establish if the battery is still capable of doing a reasonable job, reconnect the battery, and disconnect the mains hook up. Try some of your 12V appliances. If they work, then the battery is not dead. See how long you can run on battery alone bear in mind that the battery does not power mains appliances, so especially the fridge and any space or water heating should be switched to gas operation.
A fully charged battery in decent condition should run your caravan for at least a day.
If the battery can't manage a day then it does suggest it's not holding a charge. It might be worth finding a decent batty retailer who can test the battery.
If the charger proves to be faulty, then you need to source a replacement. If the caravan is less than 6 years old it would be sensible to consider having it refurbished. If your caravan is older than that, you might consider replacing the charger with a multistage charger from a brand like Ctek. There is a Ctek model XMS10 that offers up to a 10A charge rate and it will automatically optimally maintain the battery. It can be left permanently connected.
For Hutch,
EH52ARH said:
Provided the smaller battery has a peak current capacity that exceeds the motor movers peak demand, then an 85Ah battery (fully charged) will easily handle a motor mover, especially if the caravan is used with an EHU to keep the battery well charged. Most motor movers will typically use less than 1Ah of battery capacity when sitting or storing a caravan.
Just a note to add to the last post. My mover has an isolation switch so when not in use there should be no power being taken from the battery. The older ones on previous caravans did not have this so I cannot be sure if yours will draw power.
Raywood said:
Powrtouch told me that when the mover is not in use the only power taken by the control box is that to light a LED to show it is active. Presumably the R/C receiver must use some power but such units often work on a 50mS on/1 sec off basis so the average power consumption is very low.
Look at the NCC classification of batteries. Then make your choice. Beware of the adage about appearing too cheap. 10 years ago a new company offered a lighter battery with 5 years warranty. It claimed to have new technologies and was slightly dearer than others. Many of us thought it sensible to pay a bit more for modern technology and a 5 year warranty. You’ve guessed. Company didn’t last long!
Thingy said:
If it was Elecsol the battery was a good one but when carrying mine a handle broke off. I contacted the internet supplier and “she” didn’t want to know. So I contacted Elecsol and spoke to the MD who was famous for his utter disregard for customer service. AllI wanted was a replacement handle but was fobbed off several times. So back to the internet supplier who eventually accepted their responsibility under CRA and agreed to exchange the battery for a new one. That’s when it got interesting as used batteries are classed as hazardous waste and requires a licensed carrier. The fact it is no different to the new battery is irrelevant. In the end I persuaded the internet supplier that their courier should pick it up suitably capped and wrapped. What a palaver. So just hope internet supplied batteries stay the course as returning them is a pain.
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