It’s that time of year again – the sun is out, the smell of spring is in the air, and you’ve packed your trusty campervan, ready to head out on your next adventure after a long winter. Life is good!
But there’s one problem – your van won’t start.
You look under the bonnet, and sure enough, your battery is dead.
All vehicle batteries take a strain over the winter, so if you’re not regularly driving your van or charging your battery using a battery charger, then you’ll likely end up in this very situation.
Your campervans leisure battery is essential, but it’s something many road-trippers forget to consider. It’s what makes getting from A to B so comfortable, as these batteries are responsible for powering your lights, refrigerator, and other essential appliances such as your kettle.
In this blog, we’ve listed our top favourite batteries for your campervan or motorhome, so if you’re stuck with a dead battery before a big trip, we’ve got you covered.
What type of battery do I need?
If you’re not sure what size leisure battery you need, then you should use your old battery as a reference point, or use our handy battery checker tool to find the right battery for your campervan or motorhome.
What is the National Caravan Council?
The first thing to understand is that not all leisure batteries are the same, cheaper batteries built from poorly made components won’t perform properly and could leave you, quite literally, in the dark.
At Halfords, we’re part of the National Caravan Council (NCC) Leisure Battery Verification Scheme that helps provide more information around the three categories of leisure batteries available.
Category A batteries are ideal for adventure lovers who often go off-grid, giving you plenty of power to keep going on longer journeys.
Category B batteries are great for those who usually stay at sites with hook-ups but want extra battery power for things like motor movers.
Category C batteries are perfect for those who need a smaller battery to keep their essential equipment running on trips to electric hook-up sites.
The scheme aims to ensure that batteries are built to high standards and will perform as expected when they’re needed.
Each of our Halfords leisure batteries has passed the NCC Leisure Battery Verification, so you know they’ll stand up to the test.
What are the best options?
Below, we’ve pulled together a list of our most popular leisure batteries from category C to A so you can find the best battery for you and your vehicle.
Category A – Yuasa Active Leisure Battery L36-AMG
Recommended for those who frequently travel off grid, the Yuasa Active Leisure Battery L36-AMG is designed for adventurers using high-energy appliances such as televisions and motor movers without being hooked up to an external power supply.
The battery also features AGM technology that helps support a greater battery life, 400 charging cycles, and faster charging.
Category B – Halfords Leisure Battery HLB750
If you’re looking for a stable source of power for when you’re on-site, or for the occasional off-grid stops, then the Halfords Leisure Battery HLB750 is the one for you. With a whopping 100Ah capacity, this 12v battery comes fully charged and ready to fit.
The HLB750 is NCC B-rated, which means it’s designed to be used with an electrical hook-up but will withstand some trips with no hook-up. It’s maintenance-free, recharges quickly and is good for up to 225 cycles. Plus, with a two-year guarantee, you can be sure this battery is built to last.
Category C – Halfords Leisure Battery HLB678
If you never venture off-grid and want a low-cost, high-quality battery that will do the miles, then the Halfords Leisure Battery HLB678 is the battery you need. It’s NCC C-rated, which means it’s only suitable for short, infrequent periods off-grid but preferably should be used alongside an electric hook-up.
Planning an off-grid adventure?
If you’re planning to do plenty of off-grid traveling this spring and you’ve got a bit of spare room in the van, then consider investing in a Halfords 20W Solar Maintainer to help take the strain off your battery for an eco-friendly way of recharging.
Simply attach the solar panels to your battery using the cables and instructions provided to give your battery an extra boost of charge.
Shop our full range of leisure or caravan batteries online or by visiting your local Halfords store, where one of our friendly experts will be happy to help.