Is this an OK Leisure Battery charger?

Rosie Rabbit
Rosie Rabbit Forum Participant Posts: 85
edited June 2017 in New to Caravanning & Touring #1

Me again! My caravan is up in storage still and will be for a couple more weeks. I'm worried about the battery going flat.

I've found this one online at Halfords - can I take my battery out and use this to charge it at home?

http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/garage-equipment/battery-chargers-jump-starters/halfords-automatic-battery-charger-vehicles-up-to-2-0l

BTW - how do you take a battery out of a carvan?

Lxx

Comments

  • Simon100
    Simon100 Club Member Posts: 668
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    edited June 2017 #2

    No idea about the charger, but to take the battery out of the van you will need to remove the cables from the terminals. This usually means using a spanner (adjustable) to loosen the connectors. Not too disimilar from removing a car battery. It will make sense once you see the battery in situ.

  • Pippah45
    Pippah45 Forum Participant Posts: 2,452
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2017 #3

    I would think of investing in a solar powered trickle charger perhaps?  What is it using in storage?  Tracker?  The battery should soon charge up when you take the caravan somewhere.  

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,367
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    edited June 2017 #4

    If you have a normal lead acid battery, it looks as though it would charge it, although if your battery is 100Ah and reasonably flat it will take a while. Ideally you should use a smart charger, this will charge at the optimum level, preserving its life. It can be left connected to the battery for long periods, such as a winter lay up of several months, when you may wish to take your battery home.

  • SteveL
    SteveL Club Member Posts: 12,367
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    edited June 2017 #5

    How long your battery lasts in storage will depend on what is connected to it. Ours has an alarm and tracker and will run these for about 6 weeks. I make sure the master switch in the van is off as this isolates the radio, which even without its front consumes some power. It also isolates the Aerial booster, which again consumes power. Also make sure the fridge is switched off, otherwise if left open the light is likely to be on, again consuming power.

    I need to power move the van from its storage position, so make sure it is fully charged before we go out. However, if you can tow out, a full charge is not required and your battery should charge on route.

    To remove it you may need a spanner, however our first van had hand operated clamps. Oh they are rather heavy. I think ours is about 22kg.

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    edited June 2017 #6
    This content has been removed.
  • Rosie Rabbit
    Rosie Rabbit Forum Participant Posts: 85
    edited June 2017 #7

    I've just realised that the charger I posted the link to is not right for my battery. It says unsuitable for AGM batteries which is what I have. I'm going up to the unit today and I'll take a pic of the battery. I know it has a light on it which glows at different positions ie fully charged/needs charging.

     

    Yes I'm definitely thinking of getting one of those fold up solar panels - the caravan dealer says they are just easy to set up, just plug and play!

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    edited June 2017 #8
    This content has been removed.
  • Rosie Rabbit
    Rosie Rabbit Forum Participant Posts: 85
    edited June 2017 #9

    Right then - back with photos! I think I am OK at the moment.

    So may proceed with solar! This is all so complicated - am thinking of signing up to study engineering or somethingcool

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2017 #10

    @ BoleroBoy oh, and remove the negative (earth) wire first, otherwise you might cause a short circuit...

    While it's good practice to remove the negative first & reconnect it last, (because you do on a car) IMHO it's impossible to cause a short circuit as the body isn't conductive like a metal car is

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