> Looking After Your Leisure Battery

> First of all, what is a leisure battery!

> There are two main types of battery:-

> 1. Standard car battery

> 2. Leisure battery for marine, caravan or such things as solar power

> Although it is not impossible to use either battery in any of the
> above situations, the leisure battery has been designed to supply
> power over a long period of Time, whereas the standard car battery is
> designed to produce a high power over a very short time.

> The leisure battery also has the greater ability to constantly
> discharge and recharge compared to the standard car battery. This is
> known as deep cycling, although the battery shapes are similar they
> should not be interchanged on a permanent basis.

> Battery Construction

> The two battery types are similar in construction, they mainly have
> six cells filled with sulphuric acid which is topped up with distilled
> water. The main construction material is Polypropylene for the casing.
> The cells each have a set of lead plates and during the recharging and
> discharging process each plate expands and contracts. Unlike the car
> battery has good cell separation which helps contain the active
> materials and prolongs the battery life.

> Sulphuric acid fills the voids in each of the cells and is used as a
> conductor between the cell plates. As the cells discharge the density
> of the acid decreases reducing the ability of the plates to produce
> electricity. Obviously the recharging process reverses the condition.

> Battery Life

> The predicted life of a battery very much depends on it's use, by
> regularly inspecting for electrolyte levels (top up with distilled
> water if not a maintenance free type) and state of charge. It is also
> worth cleaning the battery around the terminals and ensuring that the
> area is grease free, clean any white deposits from the terminals with
> warm water and coat the terminals with a petroleum jelly such as
> Vaseline or a better product specifically for the purpose. ALWAYS WEAR
> PROTECTIVE CLOTHING - BATTERIES CONTAIN ACID AND ANY SPILLAGE WILL
> DAMAGE YOUR CLOTHES AND BURN YOUR SKIN. Never totally discharge a
> battery as it is unlikely to be able to recharge it back to it's
> original state. In practice it is best not to let the battery
> discharge to less than 85% of it's capacity. Using a direct current
> voltmeter check the state of charge. 12.7 volts or above indicates a
> fully charged 12v battery, 12.3 volts means it is approximately half
> charged and anything less than 10.5 volts means it is very flat and
> may not recover.

> Another way of checking the battery condition is to test the
> electrolyte in the cells using a hydrometer. A reading of less than
> 1.1 indicates a discharged battery, at 1.28 the battery is fully
> charged. During a long lay up period store the battery in a dry place
> (not on the garage concrete floor) but on a strong suitable bench and
> charge up at least once a month.

> Safety and Care Check List

> Avoid naked lights or electric sparks when inspecting or topping up

> Remove the negative terminal first

> Ensure the battery is securely fixed

> Use gloves, protective clothing and goggles when cleaning and topping
> up

> Never smoke near a battery or when maintaining

> Turn off battery charger and disconnect mains electricity before
> moving battery

> Always use proper clamping clips on battery terminals

> Ensure battery venting is clear and properly positioned if a pipe is
> supplied

> If you have any additional information to add to this article please
> post your information here - thanks

> For other information please visit websitewww.solaratlas.com

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