leisure battery for diy setup

[P4dstar]

See thats the thing, I had read the split chargers don't fill them up completely, which then makes me wonder what the point is!

@spruce is our science guy but I can tell you mine fills completely, works a treat unless there's something I'm missing.

 

[Master Jedi Alejandro]

@spruce is our science guy but I can tell you mine fills completely, works a treat unless there's something I'm missing.

Ahh ok then, well in that case it's worth it to save lugging it in and out alone! 

 

[ks789]

Do you two use a split relay or just charge in the house?

My first battery was just replaced under warranty with Halfords. Lasted just over a year. Someone mentioned before smart chargers get a lot longer life out of them but they're over £100.

Mine was what my dad used to use but it works great, only charges when needs and then stops etc (trickle charging I think) Its make is Torq and its listed for sale at £41. Been going strong for years. 

 

[Master Jedi Alejandro]

Mine was what my dad used to use but it works great, only charges when needs and then stops etc (trickle charging I think) Its make is Torq and its listed for sale at £41. Been going strong for years. 

Thanks man, will take a look. This entire battery thing confuses me, to be honest!

 

[Iron Giant]

Do you two use a split relay or just charge in the house?

My first battery was just replaced under warranty with Halfords. Lasted just over a year. Someone mentioned before smart chargers get a lot longer life out of them but they're over £100.

No I don't have a split relay and I use a Halfords smart charger cost about £40 I just run the extension from my garage into the back of the van 

 

[Master Jedi Alejandro]

No I don't have a split relay and I use a Halfords smart charger cost about £40 I just run the extension from my garage into the back of the van 

You know, I’ve never thought of that. I’ve ran my lead to heat van in winter, but my thick skull never thought that could be a option! ?

this is is the charger I have if anyone can advice if it’s ‘smart’. It says it switches to a  treacle  charge when full. 

https://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductMobileDisplay?catalogId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=255205&productId=894769&storeId=10001

 

[Iron Giant]

You know, I’ve never thought of that. I’ve ran my lead to heat van in winter, but my thick skull never thought that could be a option! ?

this is is the charger I have if anyone can advice if it’s ‘smart’. It says it switches to a  treacle  charge when full. 

https://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductMobileDisplay?catalogId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=255205&productId=894769&storeId=10001

I had one very similar for around 6 years then they changed it to the one I have which they no longer sell, it charges a leisure battery which is classed as a standard battery. 

 

[P4dstar]

I use this one;

https://www.screwfix.com/p/ring-rcb208-8a-car-battery-charger-12v/58809

Mainly because the spec actually tells me it can charge a battery unto 120AH. Halfords conveniently only tell you what size vehicle and that a 60ah battery would charge in 15 hours etc.

 

[spruce]

You know, I’ve never thought of that. I’ve ran my lead to heat van in winter, but my thick skull never thought that could be a option! ?

this is is the charger I have if anyone can advice if it’s ‘smart’. It says it switches to a  treacle  charge when full. 

https://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductMobileDisplay?catalogId=10151&langId=-1&categoryId=255205&productId=894769&storeId=10001

The specs say it takes 15 hours to charge a 60 amp battery.

I appreciate they don't give enough detail (how flat the battery was to begin with) and it doesn't tell you at what amperage its rated at.  My leisure battery is 110 amph. If I want to get the most service from my leisure battery I don't want to let the charge drop below 50%. This means that if I let the battery drop to 50% charge, it will still not be fully charged the next morning. For me thats out.

I've had a Numax 10 amp leisure battery charger for 12 years now. I've replaced the fan and the power lead. Its a true leisure battery charger.

https://www.tayna.co.uk/battery-chargers/numax/12v-10a/

If you have a diesel heater then you could do with the 20amp version.