Leisure batteries are designed to store power for an extended period, and they are used in many vehicles such as motorhomes, boats, camper vans, caravans, etc. Indeed, they are excellent in keeping power inside your vehicle up and running, but do you know about its many other advantages from other existing batteries?

Here, we’ll learn what a leisure battery is, its type, and how it is different from all the other batteries available.

What Exactly Is A Leisure Battery?

As mentioned above, leisure batteries are used in vehicles like motorhomes and caravans. Still, their primary purpose would be to provide a stable and long-lasting power source for 12V appliances such as lights, television, and kitchen appliances.

The most common types of leisure batteries are lead-acid batteries, which are divided into three forms such as standard starter (calcium batteries), standard leisure (auxiliary batteries), and semi-traction/traction batteries (deep-cycling batteries). Lead-acid batteries are bought more often than any other leisure battery type because of their reasonable prices and strong plate design. However, this leisure battery takes a long time to recharge and should not be drained less than 30% of its battery capacity. Even when not in use, you should still charge your leisure battery at least once a month.

Aside from the lead-acid batteries, some alternative leisure batteries are also present, including:

AGM Leisure Batteries

AGM, a short-term for Absorbed Glass Mat, is a leisure battery with a longer lifespan than lead-acid batteries. These are non-spillable, maintenance-free, and wholly sealed leisure batteries in which a fiberglass material holds their electrolyte inside. Unlike lead acid, AGM batteries can be drained to 10% and could be charged very fast. Although it has better features than the lead-acid battery, its price is slightly higher.

Gel Batteries

These are entirely sealed batteries with a non-spill electrolyte that removes the chance of corrosive acid spilling from them. These are not too popular for public use, mainly for reasonably high prices. Due to its function, it is commonly used for vehicles such as jet skis and quad bikes.

Maintenance-Free Batteries

Unlike other batteries that can be topped up and are removable to allow acid levels inside to be checked, maintenance-free batteries are leisure batteries sealed for life from the factory where they’re manufactured. These batteries do not require maintenance for their electrolyte levels.

Car Battery vs. Leisure Battery: What’s The Difference?

Although both battery types use lead acid to make it function, they have different priorities when it comes to powering up a vehicle or appliance.

A car battery’s main priority is to provide a burst of energy or starting power for the engine. It will also provide a steady flow of power for the vehicle’s electrical systems.

However, a leisure battery’s main priority is to release energy that stays for a more extended period of time and to power appliances inside a caravan such as television, kettle, oven, etc.

Advantages Of A Leisure Battery

Planning to go on a trip with your motorhome or caravan? Then you might have to choose a leisure battery that suits your needs. But, are there any benefits of having a leisure battery to power up the appliances within your vehicle?

The answer to that would be definitely yes; some benefits and advantages that come along with using leisure batteries.

In a motorhome or caravan, the majority of its appliances require a 12V power supply to function, like the ones mentioned earlier. Even if you think that using a leisure battery isn’t essential for your vehicle, choosing to use it instead of powering your appliances from the main charger is an excellent idea.

Aside from providing power for appliances in your motorhome or caravan, leisure batteries also correct any irregularities in your vehicles’ power supply. With this function, you can never worry about a defect in your power supply, and you will rest assured that you and your appliances are safe.

Other than that, leisure batteries also provide a regulated energy flow within your vehicle, as mentioned earlier. These are also more efficient as leisure batteries require less charging, and even with 50% power, they can give your motorhome appliances a long life span of power supply.

To enjoy a trip within your beloved motorhome or caravan, you also want to enjoy the appliances that come along with it. Despite the varying prices, leisure batteries live up to their name—to let motorhome and other vehicle owners enjoy their leisure inside their vehicles.