Are you in need of a new leisure battery? When was the last time you had your vehicle and battery serviced? Over time, leisure batteries become prone to spillage and damage increases the more it’s used, so if you have these issues, it may be time to buy a new battery. Otherwise, you may be racking up unnecessary maintenance fees.
So, whatās the best leisure battery for your campervan, motorhome, or caravan? To find out, you need to know the terminology first and the different types of leisures batteries.
Leisure Battery Terminology
The National Caravan Council (NCC) released a leisure battery scheme in 2016 that sees an increase in road safety and installation of the right battery. Leisure batteries are tested by the manufacturer and verified by the NNC, focusing on the minimum capacity, life cycle, and intended purpose before categorising them.
Amp Hours (Ah)
Ah is short for amp hours, which is a unit of measure for how much energy the battery provides based on the current. For example, a fully-charged battery with a minimum capacity of 5ah provides five amps of current per hour.
Depth of Discharge (DoD)
Depth of Discharge refers to the percentage of battery discharged in comparison to a fully-charged battery. For example, 50% DoD means half of the battery has been used. Once your battery has depleted to the specified amount, you must charge it to reduce damage.
Class A
Class A has a minimum capacity of 90ah with a minimum life cycle of 350. This class is intended to be used for frequently used motorhomes that donāt use electrical hook-ups.
Class B
Class B also has a minimum capacity of 90ah, but a minimum life cycle of 200. Its purpose is for motorhomes that have a higher power consumption and generally use electrical hook-ups.
Class C
Lastly, Class C has a minimum capacity of 60ah with a low life cycle of 70. This class is perfect for motorhomes with low power consumption that often use electrical hook-ups.
What are the Different Types of Leisure Batteries?
There are many leisure batteries available on the market, but the best one will be powerful and easy to charge, so you can take advantage of electrical hook-ups and long journeys. You also need to consider the capacity and size of your vehicle. It also helps if itās easy to fit and maintain, but this isnāt a priority if youāre hiring a professional to do these for you.
There are multiple types of leisure batteries you should consider, but what are they?
AGM (Absorbed Glass Matt)
AGM batteries are similar to open and sealed lead-acid batteries, but AGM batteries use an absorbent glass mat separator instead. Because of this, they are nonporous and maintenance-free. They also reduce road vibrations, so itās a great choice for long journeys. Lastly, they have a DoD of 50%. Theyāre a little more expensive, but reduce long-term costs.
Dual-Purpose Battery
The purpose of dual batteries is so they can be used as a leisure and a deep cycle battery. They have a long-lasting cycle and can handle a lot of power, which makes it the best cost-effective option.
Gel Batteries
Gel batteries use a gel-like electrolyte that is sealed airtight in the battery. The benefits of this battery is they donāt require maintenance and have a high DoD of 80%, but theyāre slow to charge. However, compared to other batteries, this battery wonāt stop your engine from running or your power from cutting out in extreme temperatures.
Lead Crystal
This battery is newer on the market, but that hasnāt stopped it from being a popular choice. Lead crystal batteries use lead-acid and electrolytes that give it an extremely high discharge rate without shortening its life. Because of its long-lasting life, high performance, and its eco-friendly nature, this battery is double the price of an average leisure battery.
Lithium (LiFePO4)
This batteryās long title stands for ālithium iron phosphateā and is designed for heavy vehicles that might suffer from extreme temperatures. They have a DoD of 80% and charge quickly, making it last ten times longer than lead-acid batteries. Lithium is used in most of our technology, so thereās no doubt this battery is popular for all types of vehicles too.
Open Lead-Acid Battery
Open lead-acid batteries are a standard choice when you need something cheap. However, they are prone to spillage, requiring regular maintenance. They have a DoD of 50%, but theyāre easy to charge. Overall, open lead-acid batteries are great for those who donāt travel often.
Standard Leisure Batteries
Whether theyāre open or sealed, standard leisure batteries provide high currents, and remain a cost-effective option despite their popularity. They provide a steady power supply over long periods of time, so a standard leisure battery is the best option for a long journey or stay.
Standard Starter Batteries
This battery uses calcium and is the most common type of lead-acid battery. If you have a stubborn engine, a standard starter battery is the best choice to make it run. However, they have a low discharge rate and arenāt the best option for those who travel often.
Sealed Lead-Acid Battery
Sealed lead-acid batteries donāt come with removable lids, unlike open lead-acid batteries. This type doesnāt use electrolytes, so it requires less maintenance and is still a cost-effective option. However, they only have a DoD of 50%, but are easy to charge, spill-proof, and safer than other batteries.
Semi Traction Batteries
Semi traction batteries have a high discharge and are lead-acid. Theyāre known to be perfect for long journeys and stays, whether you travel often or not, because they sustain a large amount of power over long periods of time without being damaged.
What is the Best Leisure Battery for Your Vehicle?
You should note there isnāt a specific leisure battery that is mandatory for one vehicle over the other. Our recommendations are based on the common characteristics of these vehicles and what leisure batteries are often used for them. You should always consider your own vehicle and ask a professional before choosing.
What is the Best Leisure Battery for Campervans?
Campervans are small but mighty, which is why people assume they donāt need powerful batteries. The likelihood is that campervans are used more than caravans and motorhomes because theyāre smaller, easier to maintain, and easier to travel with, especially when you consider parking and short trips that require less packing.
But what is the best leisure battery for your campervan? Lithium batteries are costly, but they provide double the energy of a regular battery and last longer too. However, you should also consider the power and weight of your vehicle, and how often you use it. We recommend these batteries:
Suitable:
- AGM (absorbed glass mat) battery
- Gel battery
- Lead crystal battery
- Lithium (lifepo4) battery
- Sealed lead-acid battery
- Semi traction battery
- Standard leisure battery
Less Suitable:
- Dual-purpose battery
- Open lead-acid battery
- Standard starter battery
What is the Best Leisure Battery for Motorhomes?
Lithium batteries are highly recommended for high-power motorhomes. Why? Because these batteries provide double the energy for half the weight of any other battery, and they can last ten times longer than other batteries too.
But what is the best leisure battery for your motorhome? Well, that depends on the power and weight of your vehicle and how often you use it. We recommend these batteries:
Suitable:
- AGM (absorbed glass mat) battery
- Gel battery
- Lead crystal battery
- Lithium (lifepo4) battery
- Sealed lead-acid battery
- Semi traction battery
- Standard leisure battery
Less Suitable:
- Dual-purpose battery
- Open lead-acid battery
- Standard starter battery
What is the Best Leisure Battery for Caravans?
While caravans are usually carted around by cars, they still require a battery when using power. The best battery to purchase is a lithium one as they provide more power and last longer, but they are expensive.
Need an alternative? What is the best leisure battery for your caravan when you donāt use it often? The battery you choose should also depend upon the power and weight of your vehicle. We recommend these batteries:
Suitable:
- AGM (absorbed glass mat) battery
- Gel battery
- Lead crystal battery
- Lithium (lifepo4) battery
- Sealed lead-acid battery
- Semi traction battery
- Standard leisure battery
Less Suitable:
- Dual-purpose battery
- Open lead-acid battery
- Standard starter battery
Conclusion
In general, dual-purpose, open lead-acid, and standard starter batteries are less effective in these vehicles over a long period of time, but that doesnāt mean you canāt use them. Contact us today for any questions regarding leisure batteries or enquiries about our stock.
Most vehicles come with batteries already installed. If youāre replacing them, you should always consider your budget, the vehicleās power and weight, how often itās used, and the power and life cycle of the battery.
Thinking of selling your vehicle and are on the hunt for a new one? At Venture Caravans, we stock the latest models at competitive prices. Our vehicles come in a range of weights and colours, so you can rest assured we have an option for you, whether youāre a couple, family, or solo traveller.