Leisure battery dilemma during extended periods of absence

[CampervanOwner]

We’re having to leave our 2-year-old Cali 6.1 Ocean on 3 occasions in 2026 for periods of 2 months at a time. Some of this is over the colder winter.

We’re concerned about our leisure battery as we don’t have any particularly easy-fix solutions for charging it whilst we’re gone. We don’t have solar panels, nor will be purchasing any.

We don’t have easy access to mains hook up but, if we could find a temporary workaround, am I right the leisure battery would need a number of hours to charge (as opposed to, say, an hour)?

If the hookup does require a number of hours charging, that rules that out. Is our final option to insure someone to drive it around (on max charge) for a while? If so, for approximately how long/far?

Thank you for any help you can give.

 

[Emil Silenhag]

You can disconnect them and they will be fine for 2 months…

 

[chockswahay]

It's not really the leisure batteries you need to worry about. There is a good chance that the engine battery will get very low in that time. I have found that I can about 3 to 4 weeks then the battery can be down to 12.2v ........... 8 weeks could be a push. If you can get someone to drive it for (say) 30 mins to an hour once or twice whilst you are away that should be fine (use max charge and that will help the leisure batteries too).

 

[sidepod]

Take the batteries off the van and plug them into a trickle charger in the house. Simple.

 

[chockswahay]

Take the batteries off the van and plug them into a trickle charger in the house. Simple.

Deffo the best way as long as he doesn’t want/need the van alarm enabled.

 

[WelshGas]

Take the batteries off the van and plug them into a trickle charger in the house. Simple.

But will the vehicle lock all doors with no engine battery?

 

[sidepod]

But will the vehicle lock all doors with no engine battery?

Old school key in the lock, turn.

 

[WelshGas]

Old school key in the lock, turn.

That will only work if you ensure all the other doors are locked before disconnecting the engine battery, and make very, very sure that the mechanical key lock works correctly. There has been some mention on other Forums of the key lock failing to open the door as it is rarely used.

 

[cpaharley2008]

I'd second getting someone to drive it once or twice during those 2 months - 30-45 mins with max charge should keep both batteries happy. Much easier than messing about disconnecting batteries and you know everything will work when you get back!

 

[sidepod]

Could this finally be a legitimate use for one of those daft power bank box things?