Deep Cycle Leisure Batterys

[biggirafe]

Whats the general concensous on keeping a leisure battery in the best condition???

Is it a good idea to let them run flat occasionally or should they be kept charged as much as possible all the time????

mine is rarely run down, led lights, solar panel and the fact we are rarely parked wild for more than 1 night at a time, should I flatten the bat every once in a while

Originally Posted by biggirafe

Whats the general concensous on keeping a leisure battery in the best condition???

Is it a good idea to let them run flat occasionally or should they be kept charged as much as possible all the time????

mine is rarely run down, led lights, solar panel and the fact we are rarely parked wild for more than 1 night at a time, should I flatten the bat every once in a while

Keep it as it is mark.Nothing wrong with the set up you have, same as mine solar panel keeps it topped up when wilding.Engine charges it while driving,On hook up it still charges through solar panel or if its run down a bit charge it through the charger. Mines been like that for two years, I only disconnect and keep at home over christmas, Charge them before fitting in Jan.

[firefighter]

I'm going through the whole maybe having to replace the leisure battery thing just now. Van is 3 years old and displaying little signs that I may need a new batt. I'm currently trying charging then discharging with lights on then charging leaving it a day or 2 then putting lights on but charge has disappeared so I've either got a dodgy batt or a leak to earth somewhere which I may have found (fridge light). I've been through this before with caravans and cured a lot of my problems by putting a bog standard car battery in (cheaper too). I was considering this yesterday and I found the link below which is quite helpful......... And up until now I thought deep cycling was a thing you did pedalling on the ocean floor with a set of tanks on your back!!

http://www.campingandcaravanningclub...%20battery.pdf

[PaulC]

Originally Posted by firefighter

bog standard car battery in (cheaper too).

genuine deep cycle batteries cost about £600, too expensive for normal "leisure" use.

[maingate]

It has been said before that Traction batteries are the best but very expensive.

The new Nissan Leaf (battery powered) has been in the news and if you buy one, it will cost you £4,500 to renew the batteries when they are worn out. Every 3 years they reckon.

[Geoff.W]

[QUOTE=biggirafe;92600]
Is it a good idea to let them run flat occasionally or should they be kept charged as much as possible all the time????

NEVER NEVER NEVER run a lead acid battery flat intentionally.

Their are batteries that do require a complete discharge and recharge cycle to maximise life but I must stress this does not apply to lead acid batteries of any type. Flattening this type of battery will cause rapid internal breakdown and shorten the battery life considerably.

The closer the battery can be kept to its fully charged condition the lesser the deterioration that will occur.

For maximum life try to keep your battery as fully charged as practical

[biggirafe]

[QUOTE=Geoff.W;92683]

Originally Posted by biggirafe

Is it a good idea to let them run flat occasionally or should they be kept charged as much as possible all the time????

NEVER NEVER NEVER

So thats a NEVER then Geoff?
Thanks

[ajs]

.

the lot of em are a waste of time... nastid things... hate em...
always runnin out of electrickery 1/2 way through a bottle of scotch

regards
aj

Originally Posted by ajs

.

the lot of em are a waste of time... nastid things... hate em...
always runnin out of electrickery 1/2 way through a bottle of scotch

regards
aj

Thats because you leave every light on including the outside one,,,I bet you have the fridge light on with the door shut.

[nickjvanbitz]

Originally Posted by bigboack

Thats because you leave every light on including the outside one,,,I bet you have the fridge light on with the door shut.

LOL, I normally do such a thing when I've a few too much! Normally it's leaving the inverter on overnight with the Sky box and TV still on!!

Battery conditioning is normally advised, but this is more aimed at lead acid batteries. Having them left fully charged is a good way to go, leaving them unsupported means running the small risk of sulpation crystal build-up. There are good devices on the market that can help with this problem, or most "good quality" mains chargers have a cycle which helps overcome this problem.
Life expectancies are typically 3-5 years, but it's not unheard of that people's batteries have gone longer than this.