Extra battery question - Page 2

slinger · 11-05-2008, 08:34 PM

Hi Guys,

I have fitted my second battery, I got an identical model Varta 90 Ah from a local supplier at £99.73 inc vat which I thought was a good price as the cheapest online was £122 + £10 delivery. I had trouble finding a battery tray and in the end I went for a battery box from the 12 volt shop for about £13.00. I used 16mmsq 100A cables and a 100A fuse to protect them. the large cable size keeps the resistance low and should give me fairly even charging as the charger is connected to the original battery and I didnt want to muck about with moving existing cables. The cable distance between the batteries is about 1m. I found an existing hole in the floor and routed the breather tube out through that, there was a lot of pipes and cables under the floor and I didn't fancy having to drill a hole! The whole job came to about £130. So I now have 180 Ah, next project will be solar panels.

Bulletguy · 14-05-2008, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slinger

Hi Guys,

I have fitted my second battery, I got an identical model Varta 90 Ah from a local supplier at £99.73 inc vat which I thought was a good price as the cheapest online was £122 + £10 delivery.

How much?????????

Are the terminals gold plated or something?

A supplier in my locality sells 110ah at £56 and that comes with a TWO YEAR warranty as well.

Can give anyone on here the details if they are looking for a new battery.

stagman · 14-05-2008, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bulletguy

How much?????????

Are the terminals gold plated or something?

A supplier in my locality sells 110ah at £56 and that comes with a TWO YEAR warranty as well.

Can give anyone on here the details if they are looking for a new battery.

Agree do sound a bit on the expensive side.

pappajohn · 14-05-2008, 11:57 PM

that'll be £60 for the battery and £40 for the Varta name.

bobandjane · 16-05-2008, 08:56 AM

Hi Slinger it all depends on how long you stay in one place, we have 2 x 85 ah and we go 3 days no problem, Solar panels are a lot of money but worth it if you need them . We have a generator which we hardly ever use, and I think it would be the same with solar keeping the batteries charged up, Yes they would but if we were to move on after 3 days they would charge anyway! So its only buy what you need we all have so much stuff we dont need. Good Luck. Bob.

djchapple · 16-05-2008, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slinger

Thanks guys,

I like the solar panels, even though they aren't efficient , they do work all the time. I have done a lot of study if wind power and I don't think it is what I want.

I am interested in this type of panel as mine definitely do not work at night.

I agree with the comment on wind turbines. They are more difficult to store/carry, more difficult to erect, work only when it is reasonably windy, are unsightly and can cause vibrations through the van.

Solar panels are much more efficient/effective.

Bulletguy · 16-05-2008, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djchapple

Solar panels are much more efficient/effective.

Depends on what you are expecting from them?

My mate bought a small one to stick in his windscreen as his MH spends long periods standing idle in the driveway. Cost £9.99 from Maplins it proved enough to keep his battery topped up to start on the button.

If you expect to run TV, PC, fridge whilst keeping the batteries charged up you need to be shelling out a few grand for panels the size of your roof.

I can well understand 'full timer' folks investing in serious solar or turbine power, but it would take years for the average weekender to recoup the cost.