How long should a leisure battery last

mdr
mdr Forum Participant Posts: 32
edited December 2016 in Parts & Accessories #1

How long should a leisure battery lastHow long should a leisure battery last, when van is normally connected to mains but it is used for a mover?

Comments

  • commeyras
    commeyras Club Member Posts: 1,853 ✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2016 #2

    It's a little bit like how long is a piece of string.  I would hope to get 5 yrs+ out of a new leisure battery so long as it is well looked after and not allowed to get flat.

  • Richard M
    Richard M Forum Participant Posts: 41
    edited December 2016 #3

    Here are two excellent article that give all the answers

     

    https://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/caravans/articles/general/all-about-leisure-batteries

     

    https://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/caravans/articles/practical-advice/caring-for-and-charging-your-leisure-battery

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2016 #4

    https://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/caravans/articles/general/all-about-leisure-batteries

    https://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/caravans/articles/practical-advice/caring-for-and-charging-your-leisure-battery

    Live links for the above.

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited December 2016 #5

    Two words come to mind, quality and maintenance. Spend a little more money and spend time looking after it. I've never had to replace any all lasted at 4 years+ and never experienced failure or loss of capacity, then newer vehicle purchased along with new batteries.

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
    1000 Comments
    edited December 2016 #6

    The better the quality of the battery, the more charge/discharge cycles you will get. Some guidance for getting the maximum life:

    Dont keep it permanently on charge or EHU. If at home, leave it off charge most of the time but with an occasional top-up, say, once per month.

    Dont discharge to less than 25% capacity.

    If the battery is discharged then use a high quality charger to recharge. This usually means disconnecting from the van and using a separate leisure battery charger (unless you have a van with an intelligent system like Sargent).

    Unless you regularly use sites without EHU then you should get around 4-5 years. Many people get more.

  • Johnc 26
    Johnc 26 Forum Participant Posts: 49
    edited December 2016 #7

    I have a Numax 86ah battery which I purchased for my last caravan in 2011. I have it connected to a Ctex charger. It also works well whwn using the motor mover, so next March it will be 6 years old.

    John C

  • Merve
    Merve Forum Participant Posts: 2,333
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2017 #8

    I would agree that 5 yrs is about average but it really does depend on many factors. Keeping it charged will be no 1 and not letting it discharge. Since I had my SP roof fitted I have never had to take the batteries out and mess about! It charges during the day in decent light and then uses some battery power during the dark hours to run the alarm/tracker etc. The flow of electrons in and out of the battery helps to prevent sulpation of the plates so I am told by someone who knows about these things. There is no substitute for a well made and quality battery ( or in my case - batteries!)

  • xtrailman
    xtrailman Forum Participant Posts: 559
    edited February 2017 #9

    My last cheap battery was 9 years old, never left the caravan, and never saw a 3 stage charger.

    It would have lasted longer but i inadvertently flattened it down to 5volts, so killed it.

    One before that was another cheapo with a 2 year warranty again, i let that go with the caravan at 7 years old.

    I have recently bought a new battery which is a good make with a 4 year warranty, i expect to get a long life from it, but time will tell.

    My next caravan comes with a 3 stage charger as standard, but i don't expect that to make any difference to its life, going on my previous experience.

    Same as the OP always on mains, but use a mover for a 1556 kg caravan.

    This is the battery i've just bought through recommendation, my first battery purchase on the internet.

    https://advancedbatterysupplies.co.uk/product/varta-lfd90/#tab-description

    And its also one of the two makes the club tested that did well, other one was Banner.

    It weighs over 24kg.

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