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The Homestead Caravans Kampa Awning Showroom was officially opened in 2016 to showcase Europe's most popular collection of Caravan Awnings. The new showroom gives our customers a unique opportunity to view the latest designs of Inflatable and Poled Awnings under one roof inside our 15,000 square foot showroom.

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Camping & Outdoor

We are proud of our association with Lafuma, as a UK Supplier of Lafuma Furniture for more than 20-years. It's not hyperbole to say, we cannot recommend Lafuma enough. We have carefully chosen our Lafuma range to best suit our customer requirements. Look out for new Taupe, Graphite and Lac colour options in 2019.

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We have chosen 8 models across the Swift Select and Swift Escape ranges designed to give a wide range of model options and equipment. The Select van conversion range offers a greater level of customisation, while the Swift Escape continues to be one of the UKs best selling single motorhome ranges. As things progress we'll be offering a range of quality pre-owned motorhomes. Call 01255-830-229 for more information.

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Motoring & Travel

The nights are drawing in and the weather is cooling; whether you're a winter caravanner or put your vehicle into storage for winter, there are a few essential items available to help you get prepared and protect your investment. With this is mind, we put together a selection of our Winter Care products.

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Parts & Maintenance

If you're about to embrak on a caravan or motorhome DIY project and are in need of some supplies to help the job along, check out our Tools and Consumables category first. While your thinkg DIY, we'd like to remind you that our purpose built, 8 bay workshop is ready to help you resolve any issues you may have. Give us a call if we can help and to book your next carvan service.

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Towing & Trailer

Homestead Caravans holds in stock a wide range of essential electrical equipment for Towing and Trailers at very competitive prices. From basic 12N and 12S plugs to complete pre-wired wiring kits and an array of extension and adapter leads.

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Home Leisure

It comes as no surprise that many caravan and motorhome owners are also pet owners. Homestead Caravans is a pet friendly company - we offer pet friendly holidays at our Homestead Lake Touring Park and pets are permitted into our Accessory Superstore. Check out our brand new range of pet accessories in-store or online including exclusive products from the official Crufts range, all at very affordable prices.

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Caravan 12V Leisure Battery Independent Test - Very Revealing!

24/01/2016 IN Accessories - Electrical

These batteries were being sold mainly by caravan and motor home dealers in the genuine belief that they were retailing genuine 12 volt deep cycle batteries to their customers.

The performance of many of these leisure batteries was suspect and the test were intended to check the accuracy of the performance claimed and the suitability of the construction

It was expected in 2012 when EU an directive was issued on the performance labelling of starter batteries that leisure products would be included but at the last minute they were excluded on the grounds of difficulty in categorising them, so no specific legislation exists, except perhaps the Trades Description Act?

The test was at the request of caravan journalist and TV presenter John Wickersham and carried out by myself.

The test was witnessed in part (some of the tests took 24 hours) by the following: Bailey Caravans, The Caravan Club, The Camping & Caravan Club, The Motor Caravanner's Club, Andrew Harris of the Motorhome Channel, and John Wickersham of Haynes Publishing and the Caravan Channel.

The tests were first to fully charge the batteries to 100% then check CCA (starting ability), weight followed by a discharge test (for true capacity).

READ MORE: Platinum Batteries Starter Guide - Getting the most from your Leisure Battery

They were then all cut open to reveal the internal construction which shows whether the battery is a purpose built unit or a starter battery labelled as a deep cycle or leisure battery.

A proper cyclic battery has its plates lined with fibre-glass. This type will achieve around 400 cycles (a discharge from 100% down to 50%).

The starter battery type will give usually around 80 cycles. I fully expected at least 3 of the brands to be genuine. I was in for a shock as eight of the 9 in the test were starter batteries labelled as a leisure or cyclic battery!

  Ah Claim Weight
Claimed
Weight
Actual
Volts Full
Charge
CCA Test Discharge Ah Discharge
time to
10.5 volts
Comments
1 90 24.60kg 24.20kg 12.90v 12.90v 791cca 92.30Ah 22hr.59min Capacity ok, thin plates, no glass matt,
it is a starter battery
2 100 19.60kg 15.40kg 13.20v 13.20v 398cca 39.70Ah 9hr.54min No capacity, small thin plates, 
this is worst of all
3 110 25.20kg 20.30kg 13.00v 13.00v 529cca 50.60Ah 12hr.36min Again no capacity, small plates, diabolical!
4 90 24.5kg 23.50kg 12.90v 12.90v 581cca 65.30Ah 16hr.16min Poor capacity, small plates, no glass matt,
it's a starter battery
5 100 22.50kg 22.40kg 12.90v 12.90v 760cca 102.10Ah 25hr.26min Good capacity, good cca, no glass matt,
good starter battery
6 110 25.00kg 20.90kg 12.90v 12.90v 763cca 64.70Ah 16hr.07min Poor capacity. small plates, no glass matt,
it's a starter battery
7 90 21.50kg 20.60kg 12.90v 12.90v 631cca 66.40Ah 16hr.32min Poor capacity, poor cca, poor starter battery
8 90 22.60kg 20.60kg 12.90v 12.90v 653cca 84.50Ah 21hr.02min Same supplier as 7, better capacity,
still poor starter battery
9 100 24.19kg 24.10kg 12.90v 12.90v 608cca 98.30Ah 24hr.28min Good capacity, thick plates lined with glass matt,
hoe it should be


In Row labelled 9, you can see the results for the Banner Energy Battery, which was the only battery to comply with its own labelling.

READ MORE: NCC Verified Leisure Battery (Consumer Protection) Scheme Now in Place

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