leisure battery charging

dalmationman · Post by **dalmationman** » 02 Feb 2007, 22:49

Hi
Got one of those orange leisure batteries in my van. It charges on a split charge system but the vans only been doing short runs this last month, and the interior lights are now getting dim, although the battery condition light on the Zig is not on red yet.
Would like to give the leisure battery a charge.
How do I do that without knackering it ?
Thanks.

Post by **Hacksawbob** » 02 Feb 2007, 22:56

pop it out and give it a good 24hrs on a charger in the house measure the voltage drop after 24hours to see if its holding charge.

Post by **Hacksawbob** » 02 Feb 2007, 22:57

maybe something is leaking to earth and dischrging your leccy?

dalmationman · Post by **dalmationman** » 02 Feb 2007, 22:59

Do I need a special kind of battery charger ? Or will any old car battery charger do ?

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 02 Feb 2007, 23:33

My charger has a switch for leisure type batteries, so I would say yes. It`s worth buying a decent modern "sensing" charger that will charge the battery and then switch to float charge when done, can be left on for long period of time with no bother. Got mine from Halfords, cost about £40, plenty of others available.

Mine does standard batts, leisure batts, selaed type batts. and m/cycle batts. Used it for all types with no probs.

Post by **Nicola&Tony** » 03 Feb 2007, 10:45

Just bought one of these off eBay but haven't used it yet (only just ordered it this week). It has a trickle charge / floating charge facility to charge leisure batteries and the standard charge facility to charge enging batteries. Not bad for £25.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CARAVAN-CAMPER-CA ... dZViewItem

Tony

Post by **"WEAZLECHIN"** » 03 Feb 2007, 17:33

like bob said, you do need to leave a leisure battery connected to GOOD amperage charger for what seems like a life time. eventually the green (charged) light comes on. ps- try to get one rated at about 11 amps.