Jumpstart from Lesiure Battery?

Netpest · Post by **Netpest** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 1:52 pm

Hi all

Did a quick search and couldmn't find an answer to this but have had flat battery a few times and was wondering if it is ok to use your lesiure battery to jump start your car?

I don't have the knowledge to figure this out I know lesiure battery are a slow drain not used for strating cars, and there may be issue with the fuses blowing but could i leave the cables on to slowly charge?

Hope not a daft question but as they ar eboth in the front engine compartment it would save me a big headache if i could

Cheers

francophile1947 · Post by **francophile1947** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 2:13 pm

The leisure battery may not have the cranking power to start your engine, but I can't see that trying it will harm your LB. You could try connecting the positive terminals (with very heavy wire) to transfer some of the power from the LB to your starter battery to give it a boost.

haydn callow · Post by **haydn callow** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 2:28 pm

Should be o.k. to do this every so often but not on a regular basis.

scanner · Post by **scanner** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 2:32 pm

There shouldn't be a problem.

The main difference between starter and leisure batteries AFAIK is not that the leisure one can't be used for starting, but that the starter one can't (or rather shouldn't, as it will be damaged) be deeply discharged.

An occasional start shouldn't do any harm.

stringman · Post by **stringman** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 2:55 pm

Different leisure batteries have different properties. I would check the specifications to be sure. However as mentioned above I'm sure so long as you don't make a habit of doing this you will be ok.

madmile · Post by **madmile** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 9:11 pm

A lot of leisure batteries are classed as marine / leisure - got one on my boat and it is used to start the engine, so I cant see what harm it can do.

timhum · Post by **timhum** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 9:19 pm

I would use just the red, positive jumper lead. Connect it from the LB positive to the Starter batt positive and wait a bit before cranking the engine. This will put a decent bit of charge into your starter battery so it is less likely to over discharge on cranking the engine and also transfer the charge out of the LB slower during cranking, helping the LB stay healthy longer.
I agree that it is wise not to make a habit of it (but if you are stuck you might not care to take this advice!) and if it happens a lot it may mean that you are due for a new starter batt anyway.
Happy motoring,
Tim

missfixit70 · Post by **missfixit70** » Fri Feb 15, 2008 9:19 pm

why is the other battery flattening on a regular basis? do you need to transter internal lights, stereo, blinds etc to run from the leisure battery if it hasn't already been done, or is it time for a new battery?

Netpest · Post by **Netpest** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 11:13 am

Hi All

Soz to reopen this post and read many others but was given an idea by a garage to fault diagnose. He said to monitor the drain on the battery and take fuses out. when the drain stops i took fuse out of the link which is causing the drain. Will this work and be easy way to find.

Also does anyone know what the charge should be when running the engine from the alternator. and what the base battery drain is and exceptable level is.

Going to have a good go this weekend see if i can see whats happening. Plsu what is easiest way to remove the liesure battery from loop incase the drain is from that or can i check to see if it is getting charge?

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 6:48 pm

So is the main starter battery being drained, or is it simply not "holding" a charge netpest? There is a difference,if one of the plates inside the battery has collapsed,it could "take" a charge, but not hold it...

Have you replaced the battery at all? It's sounding as if the voltage sensing relay may be at fault?

Foz.Foz · Post by **Foz.Foz** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 7:54 pm

I did this for a while over winter. The main battery would die and I jumped off the leisure battery just enough to be able to start the engine. After a dozen or so times, I had the battery checked and it was fooked. Ended up buying a new one, and have not had a problem since. Guess the cold early mornings finished it off

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 8:05 pm

Yip, once they are on their way out, there's no turning back....

waycar8 · Post by **waycar8** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 8:07 pm

whats your location netpest?, check my thread in freestuff section