Most caravan control panels have a light display or battery condition meter, some of which don’t provide a precise indication of its charge level. More accurate information is obtained by taking a reading across a battery’s terminals using a digital meter. When using a hand-held meter, note the following points:

Class A - Higher capacity batteries for those who frequently spend extended time away from an electrical hook-up. Modern cars often require more powerful batteries to power air conditioning stop/start systems sat navs in-car DVD players and phones. The following options are available in the Yuasa range. Leisure batteries power those travel essentials, like fridges, phones and televisions. Used in boats, caravans and motorhomes, leisure batteries are built to consistently deliver 12v power - perfect for your home appliances outside of your home.

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As mentioned earlier, AGM batteries are unusual in that they can act as starter batteries as well as leisure products. For instance, some recent cars are fitted with a supporting AGM second battery to run the many electronic aids now being installed. Similarly, their notable performance is recognised by caravanners wanting a task-specific support battery to specifically run a motor mover. An AGM battery has lead plates in each cell and the manufacturer uses a machine to add highly compressed glass fibre into each compartment. The fibre then absorbs the acid electrolyte. During manufacture, air is also drawn from the casing and a pressure relief valve is fitted. These processes render the finished product more costly than a conventional ‘wet lead-acid’ leisure battery but AGM products can generally achieve many more recharging cycles – thereby achieving a longer working life. As with any battery, the elements of a leisure battery degrade over time and the performance will decrease. We recommend you replace your battery after five years, even if the battery is holding up well. Can I use a car battery? The greater amount of lead in a genuine leisure battery and its more elaborate separators is reflected in its higher price and increased weight. Non-wet leisure batteries

Introducing the Exide 017 Car Battery 12V 95Ah - your reliable power solution for your vehicle's electrical needs. Designed with advanced technology and unmatched performance, this battery is a perfect fit for a wide range of car models. Let’s take an example. If a battery which is nominally rated at 60Ah is operating in temperatures of 15C, this ten degree reduction will bring about a 10 per cent reduction in its capacity. This now means that it effectively performs like a 54Ah battery. The temperature issue can have adverse effects for caravan and motorhome users who enjoy winter sports. Not only will a battery face greater demands when providing their lighting, fan-assisted heating, and evening TV entertainment during long, dark evenings; its effective capacity is significantly lower than it would be in warmer conditions. Alpha Batteries bears no responsibility for whatsoever for loss occurred due to late or failed deliveries.

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Gel - Like AGMs, Gel batteries are sealed units so can be laid on their side. They are leakproof and can recharge if ran flat (though still not advised). Gel batteries are the safest option and are commonly in campervans and motorhomes from Europe. They are one of the most expensive battery types. As Lifesure notes, the best leisure batteries also can smooth out and correct irregularities in a power supply. How long should a battery last?

Some leisure vehicles, such as those used for off-road quad bikes and jet skis, have a greater likelihood of tipping over. An accidental inversion might also result in the loss of a battery’s corrosive acid which, in turn, might cause personal injury. In response to this, batteries are installed which have a non-spill electrolyte in the form of a gel. Unlike a ‘wet’ battery, a gel battery’s casing is completely sealed. Recently, some imported motorhomes have been fitted with a gel battery rather than a lead-acid battery, but this is for added safety during a crash. From an electrical perspective, batteries with a gel electrolyte are unlikely to perform any better than wet-acid types. Also be aware that when recharging a gel battery, the charge voltage must not exceed 14.2V. Information on charging requirements is a subject in its own right. Lithium - Lithium batteries are durable and perform well at extreme temperatures. They're maintenance free too. They are a modern alternative to other types and sort more energy with less weight. They can also deliver accurate data for power monitoring. They are, however, more expensive. Battery class categories Category A is for higher storage capacity for people who frequently use their caravans or motorhomes away from electrical hook-ups Conventional lead-acid starter and leisure batteries have inspection caps so that the level of acid can be inspected in each of the cells. This also enables the cells to be topped-up using de-ionised water (also sold for steam irons) so that the electrolyte just covers the top of the lead plates.Sparks sometimes occur when connecting up a battery and good quality clamps are needed. Temporary crocodile clips, often supplied with battery chargers, are not suitable for permanent connections. Also note that a spark can cause ignition of releasing gas or residual gas left in a cell. The battery power used during the starting up process is then replaced by the alternator, which supplies the bulk of electrical current to your car's electrical systems, keeping your battery fully charged. Upgrade your vehicle's power system with the Exide 017 Car Battery 12V 95Ah. Enjoy reliable performance, durability and peace of mind knowing that your cars electrical needs are efficiently met. Trust Exide, a trusted name in the automotive industry, to power your journey

Whereas a 12V battery is unlikely to cause electrocution, if the terminals or their couple cables are shorted-out, it can cause a fire. Regardless of the type of technology a leisure battery has on the inside, they're normally grouped into categories based on their best use case. As its name suggests there's broadly the same basic chemistry going with a reaction between lead and an acid but with these the acid is in a crystal form. This means there's very little liquid content with no risk of spillage making them safe to transport. The unique chemistry enables them to be very deep cycled with little risk of sulphation. They can be be around twice the price of a good quality deep-cycle battery but as they were originally designed for UPS use they're robust against continuous charging from a solar supply and can tolerate heavy discharge loads from an inverter for example.This guide focuses on lead-acid batteries which are manufactured for particular tasks but in recent years we've seen an increase in the availability of lithium batteries so they're now worth a mention. They also get classified using various names. Types of conventional lead-acid batteries: Temperature– The stated capacity of a battery is expressed in Amp hours (Ah) but the quoted figure is only applicable when the ambient temperature is 25C. In reality, there are many occasions in the UK when it’s much colder than 25C and for every one degree drop in temperature, there’s an approximate one per cent reduction in a battery’s Ah capacity.