[leapstallbuildings]

To those who are more clued up about such things (most I imagine), I'm wondering if it will be worth me keeping hold of my van battery??
I'm about to overcome the first hurdle for going anywhere.  THE RAC man is coming back later to fit a new battery in the van.  I couldn't risk just letting him get me started because I might have driven round battery hunting, not been able to get one, and been back at square one tomorrow with a battery that wouldn't get me started.  The battery does turn the engine (just) but that's about it.  At least I will have a van that works when I can eventually work.
Is it worth me keeping the van battery as a backup leisure battery do you think (I use split charge relay too) ?  I've read about some people on herre getting used care batteries from the tip and them working just fine.
FWIW, the battery is about 7 years old and this will be its 6th winter - so I've done OK out of it as I've had to change them after 5 years in the past.

[jeff1]

Keep it bench charged and have it as a back-up

[leapstallbuildings]

Keep it bench charged and have it as a back-up

I thought that might be the best way so have sorted that out now.
Cheers Jeff

[michael papworth]

I've used old car batteries as leisure batteries before now.

A battery for a car needs to be able to produce hundreds of amps to operate the starter motor. That is quite a hefty demand. It also needs to hold it's charge.

If the battery is only going to be used for low-current duties like operating lights or a radio and regularly recharged, then it should last a few more years.

[sgibsoncleaning]

dont let it go too flat a car battery is not meant to get discharged.