Club 80-90 Forums

this might seem like a silly question, but what is a leisure battery?

how is it different from a normal battery?

my new T25 has the terminals and i need to put a battery in to run the fridge. lights etc.

can i just stick in a normal car battery or do i need a special battery with a different voltage, amps etc.

i am in the uk and i have a 1984 devon conversion

thanks in advance for any answers!

Most people use a normal car battery. Just don't run them too flat. Have a good search on here there is loads of info.

thanks ninjaturtle

could i use any normal car battery? some are cheaper than others, so it would be good to put in an affordable one.

ninja.turtle007 wrote:Most people use a normal car battery. Just don't run them too flat. Have a good search on here there is loads of info.

eucalyptus marley wrote:thanks ninjaturtle

could i use any normal car battery? some are cheaper than others, so it would be good to put in an affordable one.

ninja.turtle007 wrote:Most people use a normal car battery. Just don't run them too flat. Have a good search on here there is loads of info.

The higher the Amp hours the longer it will last between recharges. I bought a 71 amp hour from Euro car parts through a recommendation on here. I think it was around £55. I do not have a huge power demand and have a 90 watt solar panel.

Tom

http://www.alpha-batteries.co.uk/buy-on ... od_31.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

proper leisure that actually fits under the seat and is cheap as chips

good advice from ninja and jason
leisure batteries are like starter batteries, they are built slightly different inside, which allows a more prolonged release of energy than a starter.

great for folks who don't hook up and spend more time camping in the winter.

I use starters..

Useful data sheet from C&CC here http://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co ... attery.pdf

I use starters too....that way, if you have a flat...you are carrying a charged spare....! (you shouldn't use a leisure battery to start the van....it kills them apparently)

The downside is that a regular starter battery will go down fairly rapidly if you use anything consuming a lot of current over night. What a lot of us do (including myself) is use starters then rethink the electrics in terms of consumption. I use a small LCD TV, LED lighting (deck lighting at DIY stores is a good source) and generally look at ways to reduce any draw. I also replaced all my sidelights with LEDs a long while ago and can leave lights on all night if it came to it and batteries would be fine in morning. Had a few instances where I flattened main starter battery using tungsten bulbs so I dealt with that fairly quickly. As long as you think along those lines, starter batteries are generally fine.

A wind-up radio is a handy thing if you need to listen to one while camped (stereos generally consume way too much if parked more than an hour or so) and I still think those squeezy torches that £1 shops sell have some real possibilities. They seem to stay alight for a whole day which is incredible really. The mechanism from a wind-up radio could power all interior lights when camping I'm sure. This all sounds a bit tight-"interfered with" but no reason why you can't camp indefinately and still have battery power - with a little ingenuity and thought. Leisure batteries are good but you can circumvent them fairly easily.

For those that think along similar lines, take a look at this lot.....http://shop.ebay.co.uk/?_from=R40&_trks ... Categories" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

thanks for all the replies folks

very useful information!

actually, i have one last question guys...

can i use any starter battery? or does it have to be one for a VW t25?

i notice that you need a specific starter battery for a particular car

i might try using one out of my mini

thanks in advance

A code 096 or 065 will fit

I use 096 for the higher cranking amps

Yes you can use the one out of your mini but it won't have anywhere near the capacity of an 096 type battery - they're big 'uns A new one at £55 from Euro Car Parts isn't bad and you'll have no end of problems if you use batteries that are getting on a bit.