Caravan Leisure Battery

[bigbanana]

We bought a second-hand one owner Bailey Senator Series 5 Caravan earlier this year. We are new to carravaning and this has been our first season on the pitch - we don't tow the caravan ourselves. We've arranged for the caravan to be taken off site next week and stored over the winter in different caravan park that is licensed all year. What we are not sure about is what we are supposed to do with the leisure battery. Do we take it home and give it the occasional charge during the winter or is it OK to leave it in the caravan and hope for the best when the caravan returns to our regular pitch in April?
The over wintering site will allow us to stay in the caravan during the winter months if we want to and they also provide an electric hook-up. Would an overnight stay or two be likely to ensure the battery remains in good health over the winter months?
The leisure battery was brand new when it was fitted earlier this year. How would we keep it charged at home if we have to take it back home with us?
I suppose I'm asking what other caravanners do themselves each year!

thank you.

[sapelesam]

Take it home and buy a trickle charger. This will keep the battery in tip top condition.

[sapelesam]

http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/garage-equipment/battery-chargers-jump-starters/halfords-maintenance-charger

[sapelesam]

Check the link bigbanana, £25, used one for some time and does the job.

[bhg481]

Why do you need the leisure battery in the caravan if you have an electric hookup where it will be stored over winter? The leisure battery is there to provide electricity when there is no mains and is, therefore, not needed in your case.
Having said that, if you are going to use the caravan every month or so, connecting it to the mains on those occasions will keep the battery topped up.

[Ratty2E]

You need to keep the battery charged. We use one of these
Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

and it's on charge whenever we are not using it in the van. Leisure batteries are expensive you'll want to look after it.

[Quoi]

If you remove the battery and the caravan is not connected to the hook up then there will be no caravan alarm.
For me the answer is 2 batteries - I leave one int he caravan and charge the other at home - every 2 months (ish) I swap them over.
I dont have electric hook up in storage though.