Choosing a Leisure Battery for Your UK Campervan
The leisure battery is the heart of your van's electrical system. It powers everything from lights and the fridge to phone charging and the water pump. Choosing the right battery type and capacity is essential for reliable van life in the UK.
LiFePO4 vs AGM: The Big Decision
Lithium (LiFePO4) — The modern standard for van life. Lighter (about 60% weight saving vs AGM), longer life (2,000-5,000 cycles vs 500-1,000), higher usable capacity (80-100% depth of discharge vs 50%), and charges faster.
AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) — The traditional choice. Cheaper upfront, works fine for basic setups, widely available. The main downsides are weight and limited cycle life.
For UK van life, lithium is worth the investment if you can afford it. The higher upfront cost (£350-500 vs £100-200) pays off in weight saving, capacity, and longevity. A 100Ah lithium battery gives you 80-100Ah of usable power. A 100Ah AGM gives you 50Ah usable (you should not discharge below 50% to avoid damage).
Top Picks
Battle Born 100Ah LiFePO4 (£350-500) — The premium choice. Reliable, excellent warranty (10 years), good customer support. Used by professional converters. The 100Ah model weighs 11kg and provides full capacity even at -20°C.
Fogstar 105Ah LiFePO4 (£300-400) — UK-based supplier, popular in the van life community. Good value. Their Drift series is designed for mobile applications with built-in low-temperature protection.
Victron Energy AGM 100Ah (£150-200) — The best AGM option. Reliable, well-built, made in Europe. Good for basic setups where budget is the primary concern.
Exide 100Ah AGM (£100-150) — Budget AGM option. Works fine for weekend van life. Heavier than lithium (24kg vs 11kg).
Weize 100Ah LiFePO4 (£120-180) — Budget lithium from Amazon. Works surprisingly well for the price. No-name BMS, shorter warranty (2 years), but functional. Good for tight budgets.
Lion Energy UT1300 (£400-500) — 105Ah lithium in a compact Group 27 case. Drop-in replacement for AGM batteries. Good for upgrading existing systems.
How Many Ah Do You Need?
Minimal setup (lights, phone charging, small fridge running part-time): 50-100Ah. A 100Ah lithium or 150Ah AGM.
Standard setup (fridge, lights, water pump, laptop, LED TV): 100-200Ah lithium. This covers most full-time van lifers with moderate electrical use.
Heavy setup (fridge, laptop, fans, microwave, power tools): 200-400Ah lithium. You need this for power-hungry appliances, winter use, or extended off-grid stays.
UK Winter Performance
Lithium batteries maintain their capacity in cold weather better than AGM. A LiFePO4 battery can be charged at temperatures down to -20°C (with a suitable BMS). AGM batteries lose about 30-50% of their effective capacity at 0°C.
However, lithium batteries cannot be charged below 0°C without damaging them. Most quality lithium batteries have a BMS that cuts off charging below freezing. If you are using your van in winter, keep the battery inside the heated living area, or use a battery with low-temperature charging protection.
Installation Notes
- Cable size — Use 16mm² or 25mm² cable for 100-200A loads. Thicker is better for voltage drop.
- Fuse — A fuse or circuit breaker within 30cm of the battery positive terminal.
- Battery monitor — A Victron BMV-712 or SmartShunt is worth the investment. It tells you your state of charge, remaining capacity, and power draw. Essential for lithium batteries.
- Ventilation — LiFePO4 batteries do not off-gas and can be installed in sealed compartments. AGM batteries need some ventilation as they can vent hydrogen under overcharge conditions.
Verdict
If your budget allows, buy a 100-200Ah lithium battery (Fogstar Drift or Battle Born). It is lighter, lasts longer, and gives you more usable capacity than an AGM of the same rated capacity. If budget is tight, a 200Ah AGM (Victron or Exide) will serve you well enough for weekend van life.
Do not buy a cheap no-name lithium battery from Amazon without checking the BMS quality and warranty terms. A bad BMS can leave you stranded with a dead battery that refuses to charge.
