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i bought a van with a 500l tank in 3 months ago,but only recently have set it up for 2 people to run. within a day my van battery was flat. the pump is set up to run off the van battery. is this normal or do i need another battery?

[AuRavelling79]

Yes - and yes. Especially if you haven't driven the van far to charge it up and/or it's an old battery and/or you don't charge it overnight as necessary.

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i travel about 20 miles to work on a morning. ive just fully charged it. how long should i get before having to recharge?

[AuRavelling79]

If the battery isn't too old an overnight trickle charge should get it back into shape - but I bought a 75 amp leisure battery (which is designed for work like wfp) for £30 from Bristol Batteries Ltd and I stick it on charge every evening I use the pole.

A leisure battery is designed to give relatively low power over a prolonged period (Caravan lights, electrics etc) whereas a car battery also has to cope with a hefty drain everytime you start the engine. So a car battery will work, but by adding 2 poles for the day you are probably taking out more than the alternator puts back.

[cd5000]

 i use leisure batterys, they last longer ( and i charge them over night)
i always keep a spare full charged leisure battery in my van.

stephen

twyford cleaning services

[Roy Harding]

I fitted a leisure battery and dual charge relay about 4 months ago and have forgot about charging, as it always seems well charged.

Roy   

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everything working ok now ive charged battery fully. thanks 4 suggestions. if it happens again i`ll defo get a leisure battery. cheers. 

[Ian_Giles]

Don't use your vehicle battery!
You need a deep cycle battery that is designed for prolonged and steady drain.
Car batteries profile is very different, heavy discharge and constant recharging.

A separate battery, make sure it is a leisure one, a small expense in the scheme of things.
I run a permanant power lead out to the car, keep battery charger in the car, plug it in each night. Piece of cake

Ian

[matt]

i am in a funny mood tonight

i thought this was about a battery that had been run over
boom boom

I'll get me coat

[tom_currie]

you get split charge relay fitted and second battery for poles and then van battery separate from poles one and every time you switch on engine you are rechargeing both .  no need to ever take out to charge the drive home every night recharges it