Common questions regarding Care and Maintenance of Standard Lead Acid Leisure Batteries

We get asked questions by our customers every day regarding best practice when it comes to looking after and maintaining your battery. In this blog we look at regular Standard Lead Acid Batteries and common questions we have answered about these products.

Batteries are an essential part of Leisure Vehicles, yet they’re often misunderstood. Whether you’re maintaining a leisure battery for a Motorhome, Caravan or Van Conversion, proper care and maintenance is key to performance and longevity.

We’ve collated the answers from a BBL Batteries Expert to tackle some ‘real world’ battery questions we have received this spring.

1. Should the Green Ball (A state of charge indicator on most Standard Lead Acid Leisure Batteries) be visible at all times?

Yes — if your battery is fully charged, the green ball should be visible through the clear circular window on top. This is a simple charge indicator, often called a “magic eye.” However, the ball can sometimes stick in place. If you don’t see it, gently rocking or tipping the battery may help realign it within the electrolyte.

2. Does the Green Ball mean the battery needs water?

Not at all. The colour of the indicator reveals the state of charge of the battery:

• Green: Charged and electrolyte level is fine.
• White: Electrolyte level is low and needs topping up.
• Black: Battery is discharged and needs charging.

⚠️ It’s important to note that this indicator only reflects the condition of one of the battery’s six cells — it’s not a full diagnostic tool.

3. What are the six crossed circles on top of the battery?

Those are the plugs / tops giving access to each of the battery’s six individual cells.

4. How do you open them?

They’re threaded and unscrew counterclockwise. Many people use a wide and flat tool, even a 50p coin, to avoid damaging the cross pattern in the plastic.

5. Does topping up the battery improve its longevity?

Regular checks are a good habit, but Calcium batteries (like most modern lead-acid types) don’t usually need frequent topping up unless under heavy use or being overcharged. A monthly check for the first few months is smart. If levels are consistently good, you can reduce checks to every couple of months.

6. What happens if the battery isn’t topped up?

This is important. Electrolyte must always cover the battery plates by at least 1–2 inches. If it drops too low:

• The battery can become permanently damaged.
• Performance drops significantly.
• Explosion risk increases: A low electrolyte level mixed with internal hydrogen gas and a spark can cause a dangerous, though flameless, explosion.

7. Should I remove the caps when charging?

Not necessary. The battery is designed to vent gases internally. However, if you feel more comfortable, you can loosen the caps slightly — just don’t remove them completely.

8. How often will I need to top it up?

Some batteries may go their whole lives without needing a top-up, while others may require it once or twice a year. Usage patterns and ambient temperature play a big role here.

9. Should I ever drain and refill the battery?

Absolutely not. Draining the battery removes vital active materials. Refilling with acid or even a freshwater mix can throw off the delicate chemical balance and cause internal damage. You won’t be restoring the battery — you’ll be destroying it.

Final Tips

• If you’re topping up often, across all cells, get the system checked for overcharging.
• If it’s just one cell repeatedly, check for leaks or a dead cell.
• Store batteries in a cool and dry place, and never let voltage drop below 12.4V for extended periods.

Taking care of your battery doesn’t need to be complicated — just a few minutes of maintenance each month can save you from costly replacements and potential hazards down the line.

If you are not confident carrying out care and maintenance on your battery then please do contact the Battery Experts at BBL Batteries who will be more than happy to help or advise!

For further information or if you have any questions relating to your own specific battery, application or usage, call us today on 0808 168 0635.