A leisure battery is a specialized type of battery designed to supply power for extended periods, especially for 12V appliances within caravans and motorhomes. Unlike regular car batteries that deliver a short burst of energy to start engines, leisure batteries release energy at a consistent rate.
It’s a myth that car batteries can’t be used in leisure battery applications, prior to the coining of the term ‘leisure battery’ car starter batteries and even old World War 2 batteries were used for leisure applications. A modern leisure battery will just do a much better job!
How long a leisure battery lasts off-grid will depend entirely upon how much you use it, and whether the appliances in your caravan or motorhome are particularly power-hungry. If we take a fully charged 100Ah leisure battery as an example again, you could expect it to last between 2-4 days if you only use the battery a moderate amount.
However, if you’re using your leisure battery as the only power source while off-grid, then you’ll need a powerful and cyclic battery; in this scenario, a Lithium leisure battery might be right for your specific application. If you need assistance with choosing a leisure battery or you would like some advice, please contact our friendly team.
Once your leisure battery is fully charged, you can expect a certain lifespan before it needs recharging. The longevity of caravan batteries in the UK varies depending on usage and care. Typically, a well-maintained leisure battery offers up to five years of service. However, keep in mind that frequent deep-cycling will affect its durability.
Choosing a leisure battery isn’t as simple as choosing a car battery; as well as physical size you need to consider how much power you need and how you’re going to charge your battery while you’re travelling.