Leisure Battery Looking Sad

[mobilecat]

My Leisure Battery is flat. The first thing I usually do is check the fuse on my rig up and that's looking fine. I haven't tried to charge it from the mains (which I only usually do if the fuse has gone and its totally flat anyway) because when checking the fuse I noticed it looks like it is leaking - white stuff coming up at the sides on top. I am guessing this isn't a good look. Am I right?

[dandywarhol]

White stuff usually means theres a leak, usually at the terminal posts (often caused by overtightening and the post flexing)

If the acidic crystals are around the vent pipe at the side of the battery then it may be overcharged.

Either way, remove the crystals ASAP with off boiling water as they're highly corrosive and will rot any untrated metal

Its best to mains charge the LB at least twice a year as the split charger only gets it up to around 80% charge

[mobilecat]

White stuff usually means theres a leak, usually at the terminal posts (often caused by overtightening and the post flexing)

If the acidic crystals are around the vent pipe at the side of the battery then it may be overcharged.

Either way, remove the crystals ASAP with off boiling water as they're highly corrosive and will rot any untrated metal

Its best to mains charge the LB at least twice a year as the split charger only gets it up to around 80% charge

Thanks for this. I do tend to charge it from the mains a couple of times a year - because that's how often the fuse goes!

[dandywarhol]

What size of fuse is it? it could be blowing because the LB is so discharged the alternator is giving out a higher amperage than the fuse can cope with. You need at least a 70amp fuse and cable to cope IMO.

[mobilecat]

What size of fuse is it? it could be blowing because the LB is so discharged the alternator is giving out a higher amperage than the fuse can cope with. You need at least a 70amp fuse and cable to cope IMO.

Actually despite it going every 6 months, it is during a specific scenario - which I always forget to avoid.

My battery charges when I drive automatically. When I am on hook up, I switch on my charger, and it charges that way and I can run my 230v stuff at the same time (obviously). Its all good and it runs fine like this for my internal side light, tap pump, 2 rear 12v sockets no problem. I run my coolbox from one of them.

The problem is always if I plug in the cool box straight to the 12v, and leave it for too long before setting off on a drive, when the battery isn't fully charged. It can run it fine, but it seems to surge and if I plug it in and then forget about it before we set off - I kill it. I am not too concerned, because it has never done it unnder any other circumstances so I in theory could avoid it . if the engine when we set off, before I connect it - no problem

[missfixit70]

The coolbox will drain the battery to nowt in no time at all, you can buy a little jobby that plugs in between the coolbox & ciggy socket that switches it off before it gets too low, thus eliminating that possibility.

[mikexgough]

I think a new battery is the best option and follow the advice given for the cooler box and the charging.....and like all batteries they have a life cycle, even when kept on 80%+ charge let alone those that have lost capacity....

[mobilecat]

The coolbox will drain the battery to nowt in no time at all, you can buy a little jobby that plugs in between the coolbox & ciggy socket that switches it off before it gets too low, thus eliminating that possibility.

Bizarrely I really don't have that problem. Its a good coolbox that stays really cold and doesn't kill the battery when used carefully. I can run it on the journney (charging)on Friday, run it for a couple of hours morning and night for 3 days, no problem and have it running on the journey home no problem (charging). I have a vague idea of the how battery is doing as I have a needle and colour jobby which is quite enough info for me and I manage fine on this.

I have only ever killed the battery, when starting the coolbox, not when actually running it

[mobilecat]

I think a new battery is the best option and follow the advice given for the cooler box and the charging.....and like all batteries they have a life cycle, even when kept on 80%+ charge let alone those that have lost capacity....

how long should a battery last. I think mine was new when I got its 28 months old!

[Alison01326]

The coolbox will drain the battery to nowt in no time at all, you can buy a little jobby that plugs in between the coolbox & ciggy socket that switches it off before it gets too low, thus eliminating that possibility.

Kirsty, what is said little jobby called. I daren't google "little jobby"

[behavedave]

A "little jobby" like this Low Voltage Protector

Dave

[dandywarhol]

Fuse size 'Cat????

[madmile]

Sounds to me like you have a coolbox which is a bit power hungry and a charging system that is not quite up to the job of boosting the battery back to where it wants to be.
If you dont want to upgrade the coolbox, then if you install a willinton kit then at least you shouldnt blow fuses even if you have run the leisre battery low.

[mobilecat]

Sounds to me like you have a coolbox which is a bit power hungry and a charging system that is not quite up to the job of boosting the battery back to where it wants to be.
If you dont want to upgrade the coolbox, then if you install a willinton kit then at least you shouldnt blow fuses even if you have run the leisre battery low.

Thanks for the advice but its a bit over complicated and expensive really and I don't actually need it. I'm really not worry about the charging system as its fine for my needs. I am not worried about the fuse situation, as its easy to access and change. My only concern was the battery itself and its lovely white pattern

[Alison01326]

A "little jobby" like this Low Voltage Protector

Dave

Thank you Dave. My cool box is hard wired, and the one in the pic looks like a replacement lead, but I'll be on the right track. Again, many thanks.