Paid deposit, first of (I suspect) many "stupid" questions! Solar and leisure battery

[Jixipix]

Hi everyone, the first of many questions, having just paid a deposit on the vehicle I am now writing up my project plan for  the conversion.  So .....

1) what leisure battery does everyone recommend? 

2) what size solar panel?  is there a cunning formula for calculating the need?  

3) Do you all have a split relay or is this not necessary or a good idea with solar panels?

 

Thanks so much, all this is taking my mind off a horrible time right now xxx

[ThuMentaliss]

With a split relay charging installation the alternator will produce charging amp's to your leisure battery far more efficiently than a solar panel, you would not gain much by installing a solar panel but if you intend to do a lot of wild camping, i.e. no mains hook up and running devices off 12volt then the solar panel could be a must