[H2GoKent]

Just had a split charge relay fitted to my van. Someone said a car battery would work better with it than a leisure battery. Anyone got experience of using either?
I don't do too much stop/go but only drive shortish distances to some medium to large jobs.

[Diamond standard ltd]

Leisure battery every time a car battery give you cranking amps. A leisure battery gives you power over a longer time frame

[Ian Sheppard]

A leisure battery is better for the WFP system.

The Two batteries are designed with different discharge characteristics. A leisure battery is designed for long slow discharge over a period of time. A car battery is designed for a sudden rapid discharge of volts in one short hit when the engine is started.

Remember you will still need to do an additional charge every two three days. The relay will only trickle charge the battery, dependent on how far you travel.

[nokmond]

Well I use a big bosch car battery. It's been perfect for 3 years now and it has never been charged other than by the relay. So either.

[H2GoKent]

A leisure battery is better for the WFP system.

The Two batteries are designed with different discharge characteristics. A leisure battery is designed for long slow discharge over a period of time. A car battery is designed for a sudden rapid discharge of volts in one short hit when the engine is started.

Remember you will still need to do an additional charge every two three days. The relay will only trickle charge the battery, dependent on how far you travel.

You see you've hit the nail on the head there. The leisure battery will take longer to charge than I can give it, whereas a car battery will recharge very quickly, and they can give out power slowly if you need them to. Hmmm. Needs thinking about.

[concept]

A leisure battery is better for the WFP system.

The Two batteries are designed with different discharge characteristics. A leisure battery is designed for long slow discharge over a period of time. A car battery is designed for a sudden rapid discharge of volts in one short hit when the engine is started.

Remember you will still need to do an additional charge every two three days. The relay will only trickle charge the battery, dependent on how far you travel.

Not had to charge a battery in 3 vans over 5 years with the split chargers I use.

[Tony Edwards]

A leisure battery is better for the WFP system.

The Two batteries are designed with different discharge characteristics. A leisure battery is designed for long slow discharge over a period of time. A car battery is designed for a sudden rapid discharge of volts in one short hit when the engine is started.

Remember you will still need to do an additional charge every two three days. The relay will only trickle charge the battery, dependent on how far you travel.

Not had to charge a battery in 3 vans over 5 years with the split chargers I use.



Which ones do you use ?

[H2GoKent]

A leisure battery is better for the WFP system.

The Two batteries are designed with different discharge characteristics. A leisure battery is designed for long slow discharge over a period of time. A car battery is designed for a sudden rapid discharge of volts in one short hit when the engine is started.

Remember you will still need to do an additional charge every two three days. The relay will only trickle charge the battery, dependent on how far you travel.

Not had to charge a battery in 3 vans over 5 years with the split chargers I use.

So do you use a leisure battery or a car one?

[robert mitchell]

I use a car battery and it charges very quickly with my split charger .

As well as 900 cranking amps it's also rated at 100ah , same as a large leisure battery .

The battery cost me £30 second hand two years ago off eBay , it had never been fitted so was basically new .

As I understand it a car battery will take a higher charge rate than a leisure battery .

I'm no expert but I would suggest the biggest car battery you can find is the best bet .

I think is tosh on here that uses old car battery's he buys for a tenner from the scrappy .

Also it's worth fitting a decent relay rather than just going for the cheapest .

Grippa fitted mine so they may be able to sell you one if you don't already have one .

[concept]

A leisure battery is better for the WFP system.

The Two batteries are designed with different discharge characteristics. A leisure battery is designed for long slow discharge over a period of time. A car battery is designed for a sudden rapid discharge of volts in one short hit when the engine is started.

Remember you will still need to do an additional charge every two three days. The relay will only trickle charge the battery, dependent on how far you travel.

Not had to charge a battery in 3 vans over 5 years with the split chargers I use.



Which ones do you use ?

Raw Components split relays, which unfortunately are no longer trading, however, they are available from Grippamax, if you speak to Oliver there, he will assist.

I have always used 110a Leisure Battery, and never had to charge them, in 4 years, on 3 vans. Replace them about every 2 years or so when they won't hold a charge.

[H2GoKent]

Thanks guys.

[Ian Sheppard]

A leisure battery is better for the WFP system.

The Two batteries are designed with different discharge characteristics. A leisure battery is designed for long slow discharge over a period of time. A car battery is designed for a sudden rapid discharge of volts in one short hit when the engine is started.

Remember you will still need to do an additional charge every two three days. The relay will only trickle charge the battery, dependent on how far you travel.

Not had to charge a battery in 3 vans over 5 years with the split chargers I use.



Which ones do you use ?

My comments come from a technical perspective and cover the different characteristics of the battery types in testing. I am not using a battery day to day as you guys are. How often the battery will need an additional charge will very much depend on the distance driven and how long the alternator is running.

http://www.springltd.co/node/109

[James Bulton]

I think using your pump none stop for a big commercial then I would go for a 110 amp hour deep cycle but for residential anyone will do as a smart charger relay will start charging the minute you turn the key. Most alternators charge enough amps to keep both batteries happy. I have never charged any battery since fitting it. Plus they are easy to fit. I cannot understand why one would charge from mains power when a relay will take care of it all.And if by some big mishap and you battery is flat just run the motor of your van.

[David Durrant]

iv got a 100 amp split charger and a 88 ah leisure battery.
Iv only got 27amp wire from van battery to split charger. some one told me this will increase the time it takes to charge leisure battery by a long time. iv only just fitted it will i need to upgrade wire to 100 amp