If you use mains hook-up, the leisure battery will be being charged by the on-board charger, and in most caravans and motorhomes this is not a very sophisticated system. If your caravan or motorhome is parked next to a power supply, connect a smart battery charger to your leisure battery for peace of mind charging.
Does 240v hook-up charge leisure battery?
The first being any 240v sockets in the van. These will have the same use as any household sockets, which you can use to power any 240v appliances. The second place the power will go is to the Intelligent mains leisure battery charger.
What is the best way to charge a leisure battery?
A well sized campervan solar panel system is the ultimate way to keep leisure batteries charged for off grid living. While installing solar panels on a camper is relatively simple, its important to size the system to meet your needs and choose the right component parts.
Do plug sockets work on leisure battery?
The sockets only work on 230V ,you cant run 230V domestic equipment unless you have hookup. You need to use 12V equipment or you can get an inverter that transforms 12V to 230V but it isnt very efficient. Phew, thanks !
How do you charge a leisure battery off the grid?
There are various ways you can charge a battery when you do not have access to mains power. These include portable generators, car alternators, solar power and wind power. Most portable generators have a 12V DC output for battery charging.
Can I charge my leisure battery with a car charger?
There is nothing wrong with using a car battery charger to charge a battery that is described as a leisure battery. The important point is that it should not be left charging a battery for long periods of time .so it is not a charger for people that want to fit and forget. You do need a smart charger for that.
What can you run off a 12v leisure battery?
A leisure battery is the power source for the 12V appliances and equipment in a caravan or motorhome. These batteries are designed to provide a steady level of power over a prolonged period of time and are used by the lights, T.V, kettle, oven and similar appliances in some outfits.
How long will a leisure battery run a 12v fridge?
W=IV - so 40 watts average consumption at 12v gives you a current of 3.3 amps. 110/3.3 hours in simple terms - so somewhere around 33 hours with a fully charged battery.
What size solar panel do I need to run a 12v fridge?
For a 12V system, if you need to replace 100A/h of charge to your batteries each day, and you have 8 sunlight hours in each day you will need 1200WH / 8H = 150W of solar panels. In reality it is recommended that you always overrate your requirements by at least 20%, therefore you would need 180W of solar panels.
How long can you run a TV on a leisure battery?
Bearing in mind it is never advisable to discharge a battery by more than 50%, that reduces your practical time down to 55 hours (which, of course, is way more than required for a weekend away). The general rule is that; if you allow a leisure battery to discharge below 50%, it will never reach full charge again.
How long will a leisure battery last without charge?
As a general rule, never allow your leisure battery to discharge below 50 per cent of its capacity. Performance will deteriorate with age. A typical leisure battery can last as little as five years. Winter is often the time when you find out how good your leisure battery actually is.
Can you run a fridge off a 12V battery?
Fridges should never run off the cranking battery that you use to start your vehicle. The only exception to this is while you are driving if you absolutely must. The reason behind this is simple – your cranking battery is imperative to start your vehicle, and if you run it flat you can be in serious trouble.