First timer - caravan owner

[kybo]

Hi all,

First time owner of a van (Elddis Whirlwind XL) - old but in good nick.

It doesn't have a 12v battery - will a car battery suffice? What are the pros and cons of car vs leisure battery? Does it really matter which one I fit?

Many thanks,
Scott

[GAjon]

This may help.


http://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/helpand...

[kybo]

GAjon said:

This may help.


http://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/helpand...

Excellent write up - very informative.

Thanks for sharing,
Scott

[volks al]

Go-outdoors have a good price on leisure range which is more suited to a caravan imho.

[extremekiter]

Not saying I know it all but been a caravan engineer for 21 years now at Greentrees Adventurestore in Norfolk. Car battery??........don't do it! This will only burn the charger out after often use as the charger is only designed for Leisure battery use only. A car battery goes discharges as soon as its used but a leisure battery will hold it charge until it completely fails and goes flat. The charger in your Whirlwind is designed to charge leisure battery's only and if you slap a car battery it will not give an even amp output thus killing the charger in time. I know......I've replaced over 600 chargers in my time, not all due to this problem but maybe 50 cause of it!

Have fun and enjoy! Yll love it!

Justyn

[kybo]

extremekiter said:

Not saying I know it all but been a caravan engineer for 21 years now at Greentrees Adventurestore in Norfolk. Car battery??........don't do it! This will only burn the charger out after often use as the charger is only designed for Leisure battery use only. A car battery goes discharges as soon as its used but a leisure battery will hold it charge until it completely fails and goes flat. The charger in your Whirlwind is designed to charge leisure battery's only and if you slap a car battery it will not give an even amp output thus killing the charger in time. I know......I've replaced over 600 chargers in my time, not all due to this problem but maybe 50 cause of it!

Have fun and enjoy! Yll love it!

Justyn

Hi Justyn,

Thanks for the word of warning.

I have borrowed a car battery so I could test all the bits and bobs in the van.

I think it has been connected to house mains about half a dozen times.

I take it that it's gonna be prolonged charging over a period of months/years that's gonna cause long term damage, not just a charge here and there until I get a leisure battery?

Thanks,
Scott

[JimbobVFR]

Guess this is as good a place to ask as any. Is it OK to charge a Leisure Battery with a normal car battery charger? I can't see any reason why not but worth checking.

[nagsheadwarrior]

Thats what we use at work, a vtek? I think so no probs.

[GlenMH]

Some of the CTek chargers have a "caravan mode" that is suitable for this.

[Chrisgr31]

JimbobVFR said:

Guess this is as good a place to ask as any. Is it OK to charge a Leisure Battery with a normal car battery charger? I can't see any reason why not but worth checking.

I think its ok but some chargers are specifically made for this purpose and in theory monitor the battery whilst charging so it doesnt get overcharged (but dunno how that works), however I use a standard charger for mine, which reminds me to go and retrieve it from a neighbour.

[NotDave]

Caravans have a built in charging loop
On the control panel


Plug van into mains. Click charge.

Done!

[avocado]

Leisure batteries deep cycle, that means they can be fully discharged to about 20% charge without causing damage. Do this will a car battery and the plates inside corrode and it won't be able to hold charge.

I can't see how a car battery will damage the charger though?

[Petemate]

Good luck with your Whirlwind - we had one prior to our current 'van. The Whirlwind is a great little unit, tows really well. Only reason we upgraded was the OH wanted a separate shower. The Whirlwind is well-made and a doddle to service.
Re batteries, lots of good info in this thread. I don't know if a car battery would damage a caravan charger, but I would not take the chance. Our leisure battery is over 3 years old; we had it in our Pennine Pathfinder, then the Whirlwind, now in our Swift Classic Coronette. Every winter period the battery has been removed from the unit upon winterising, and it spends the period 'off-road' connected to an Optimate which ensures the battery is maintained. Never any problems. We have a mover which I fitted to the Whirlwind then transferred to the latest 'van. The battery has always given excellent service. It is a 110 amp from our local electrical shop and they are well-stocked with all things home & car electrical and cycles etc. The ones available from such places as Go Outdoors are also very good value. Get the largest 1) you can afford and 2) which will fit in the battery compartment. Worth spending in the long run IMHO.