Types of Leisure Batteries – Jacksons Leisure Supplies

There are four main types of leisure battery used in campervans, caravans, and motorhomes:

Wet Lead Acid
AGM
Gel
Lithium

Each type has different characteristics in terms of cost, lifespan, usable capacity, maintenance requirements, and charging behaviour. The right battery for your setup will depend on how you use your vehicle, how much power you consume, and how often you spend time off-grid.

The sections below highlight the key advantages, considerations, and typical applications for each type of leisure battery.

Wet Lead Acid Batteries

Wet lead batteries are the most traditional and cost-effective type of leisure battery, commonly used in basic caravan and campervan electrical systems.

Advantages	Things to Consider	Typical Use
Lowest upfront cost Proven and widely available technology Suitable for basic electrical setups	Require ventilation during charging Depth of Discharge (DoD): ~50% Typical Life Cycles: ~300–500 cycles	Caravan leisure battery compartments Entry-level campervan electrical systems Occasional leisure use

AGM Batteries (Absorbent Glass Mat)

AGM batteries are sealed lead-acid batteries that offer improved durability and maintenance-free operation compared with wet lead batteries.

Advantages	Things to Consider	Typical Use
Maintenance free Better vibration resistance Sealed design (no liquid acid movement) Widely compatible with most chargers and electrical systems	Heavier than lithium batteries Depth of Discharge (DoD): ~50% Typical Life Cycles: ~300–500 cycles	Campervan conversions Motorhomes Solar-assisted leisure electrical systems

Gel Batteries

Gel batteries are sealed lead-acid batteries designed for improved deep discharge performance and vibration resistance.

They are less common today, as AGM and lithium batteries are generally preferred in modern installations.

Advantages	Things to Consider	Typical Use
Good tolerance to deeper discharge Sealed and maintenance free Good vibration resistance	More sensitive to incorrect charging voltages Generally more expensive than AGM batteries Depth of Discharge (DoD): ~50–60% Typical Life Cycles: ~500–1000 cycles	Motorhomes Mobility equipment Older leisure electrical systems

Lithium Batteries (LiFePO4)

Lithium batteries offer the highest usable capacity, lowest weight, and longest lifespan of all leisure battery types.

Most lithium batteries designed for leisure use include a built-in Battery Management System (BMS).

Advantages	Things to Consider	Typical Use
Depth of Discharge (DoD): 90–100% Typical Life Cycles: 2000–4000 cycles Much lighter weight Faster charging	Higher upfront purchase cost Charging equipment must support lithium batteries Some vehicles require a DC-DC charger when charging from the alternator	Off-grid campervan electrical systems Solar-powered setups High power consumption vehicles Long-term or full-time van use