How to fit a leisure battery

andyfb78 · Post by **andyfb78** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 11:32 am

There are two feeds to the radio, one is the #1 fuse ( this feeds the clock, keeps the presets) but the power is taken from the same fuse as the mirrors, which is on the ACC circuit (i think, need to check tonight when i get back to my wiring sketches.)
so both need power for the radio to work and the clock feed needs perm power if you don't want to keep losing your presets.

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Wed May 16, 2007 3:02 am

Excellent instructions there corblimey

just one point though,i noticed that your leisure battery is 110 amps/hour... does that mean that your main starter battery exceeds that?

Am i understanding the principle correctly?

Does the leisure battery HAVE to be of lower amps than the main battery?

Your comments would be very welcome! Thanks in advance

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Wed May 16, 2007 8:49 am

I asked this a while back BigDaddy cos the BF Factsheet said LB must be less than starter capacity. But no-one could say where this advice came from and general view was ignore it and proceed with 110Ah. Maybe corblimey can illuminate?

corblimey · Post by **corblimey** » Wed May 16, 2007 8:55 am

hi big daddy

you've just caught me before I depart on my big misson.

yes I have 110 Ah leisure and no my starter battery isn't bigger; in fact it quite a bit smaller. As far as I know there is no reason why the batteries have to be specific sizes in relation to one another. I have heard mutterings that the leisure battery should be smaller (I think it's in one of the member fact sheets) but I haven't found any evidnece to back that up. The VSR should sort out the charge priority anyway so I can't see a reason for worrying about it. And, as they the proof of the pudding etc etc. Mine works fine and others have larger batteries working too. hth

pippin · Post by **pippin** » Wed May 16, 2007 8:57 am

I can confirm that there is no requirement for the leisure battery to be larger or smaller than or even the same size as the engine battery.

In this situation size does not matter, well not for comparison purposes.

Obviously the bigger the better, but if it's too big you will not be able to get it in.

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Wed May 16, 2007 10:17 am

Thank you all,
I couldn't work out a logical reason as to why the main starter battery had to be the predominant of the two either,perhaps it needs to be that way with a relay that isn,t quite as "smart" as the vsr used by corblimey and mike's?

Daveblueozzy has just got a 110 a/h l.b. and i had a little niggle at the back of my mind as to why it may not be suitable after all, but it sounds from the excellent advise given that it should work well...

Sorry to pester about details, is it ok to use 30 amp cabling if i still use 25 amp in line fuses?

I realize that it seems a petty detail,but i,m trying to follow corblimey,s instructions for fitting to the letter, he used 27amp cable, i bought some 30amp 5.0 metre length red flexi with built in mini fuse holder for a couple of squid from e-bay

Still fine if i use a 25amp fuse?

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Wed May 16, 2007 10:22 am

No definitely not. A fuse should be the weakest link ie. a lower rating than any of the components including the cables. If you use a cable with lower rating than the fuse then think about what's going to burn out first?

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Wed May 16, 2007 10:24 am

Bugger, scrub that. I read your figs the wrong way round. Yeah 25A fuses with 30A cable will be fine

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Wed May 16, 2007 10:28 am

Cheers Ian, thanks for the quick response... I re-read my query, i thought i'd got it the wrong way round then!

I dont relish the idea of electrical fires so thats why i,m being so "anal" with regards to what may seem to some as a petty detail....

thanks again chaps!

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Wed May 16, 2007 10:33 am

Should i inform lifesure about the intended leisure battery conversion?

Has anybody else notified their insurance company?

Will they insist that a qualified auto electrician carries out the conversion?

I probably should have posted this on the insurance part of the forum,but i thought it more likely to get a proper answer on this thread...

Sorry if i'm thread meandering....

Veg_Ian · Post by **Veg_Ian** » Wed May 16, 2007 10:39 am

I haven't and I doubt they would be bothered anyway but if it eases your conscience ...........

waycar8 · Post by **waycar8** » Wed May 16, 2007 5:33 pm

anyone interested...............110amp leisure batteries are in the sale for £60 at mitchells http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk

you wont find the said item on their website as they cant deliver as its acid but they have them at all their branches just click on their individual locations at the top of the page for contact telephone numbers ect.

moonshine · Post by **moonshine** » Wed May 16, 2007 6:03 pm

I can also confirm that there is no need for the starter battery to be larger capacity to the leisure battery. On my boat the starter battery is 80 ah (I think), but the leisure batteries have a total capacity of 220 ah. Everything works just fine, and has done for several years. The starter battery only needs to be able to start the engine, but the leisure batteries may need to be able to power many accessories for a lengthy period of time, hence the capacity. I also know of boats that have things like bow-thrusters, which take a huge current, so their leisure battery capacity is far in excess of mine. Their split-charge systems still work ok too.

Certainly wouldn't expect a problem with the Bongo set-up, as the difference in capacity between the batteries is nowhere near as great as on most boats.

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Wed May 16, 2007 10:48 pm

We really ought to get the troublesome and misleading bit in the factsheet removed. Ian, if you are reading this, who would be able to do that as it would save hassle and needless enquiries in future

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Fri May 18, 2007 10:49 am

Perhaps the original technical aspect is based on sound electrical principle mike,and its filtered down to the application in a bongo...

But, it would appear, judging by the responses to this thread that the original inclusion of the predominant battery being a larger capacity than the l/b, is simply a case of hayne's manual syndrome.... i.e. lots of non essential, non applicable, "how not to's", at the expense of practicality...