Extra battery question

slinger · 13-04-2008, 08:24 PM

I am an electrical engineer but new to motor homes, I have a Burstner Solano with a 75Ah liesure battery, I would like to add another 75Ah in parallel, am I likely to have any problems with this? Would it be cheaper to just replace the 75Ah with a 150Ah?Eventually I want to fit solar panels but one step at a time.

Winston_C_4ever · 13-04-2008, 08:55 PM

personally i woodnt bother buying solar pannels as they are extremely ineffient. i'd suggest u use wind power. it might be a better idea to get a more powerful battery as the present one mgiht be old therefore might need replacing anyway. also 2 battires = more space and more weight = waisting fuel carrieng around extra weight for the sake of it

winnebagotony · 13-04-2008, 09:15 PM

I agree with Winston if your original battery is tired it would constantly drain your new one shortening its life
I decided to sack my 75ah for a new 150Ah also saving space

Digger Driver · 13-04-2008, 09:29 PM

I have 3 batteries on mine!
A 95 amp, a 100 amp and a 120 amp!
According to all the fitters i have talked to you can fit as many as you like!
It just puts a little more stress on your alternator!

Gonewiththewind · 13-04-2008, 09:34 PM

Hi Slinger,
Each to thier own, I went down the road with solar panel and doubled up my battery.
with a 130 watt panel and 2 x 110 amp batteries I dont go near hook ups.
For what its worth winter is great for winds and so is Fuartaventura (spelling) But if you get a good summer, where is the wind.
My solar panel work 52 weeks a year, ok, variable but your wind turbine is going to be even more unpredictable. Have you ever noticed how the big turbine dont work in the high wind !!!!
Ill stick with the solar. Work on the basis 50 Watt panel + 50 Amp battery per adult as a minimum.

Don

Geo · 13-04-2008, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digger Driver

I have 3 batteries on mine!
A 95 amp, a 100 amp and a 120 amp!
According to all the fitters i have talked to you can fit as many as you like!
It just puts a little more stress on your alternator!

It also means your two larger batteries are working as your lowest ie 3 x 95amp.
multiple batteries should be matching batteries
ie a new 75 amp battery put with an old 75amp only giving say 60 amp, would make the new one work at 60 amp also
Geo

Digger Driver · 13-04-2008, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geo

It also means your two larger batteries are working as your lowest ie 3 x 95amp.
multiple batteries should be matching batteries
ie a new 75 amp battery put with an old 75amp only giving say 60 amp, would make the new one work at 60 amp also
Geo

I do know that but i get my batteries for free!
They work forever after being fully charged!

stagman · 13-04-2008, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slinger

I am an electrical engineer but new to motor homes, I have a Burstner Solano with a 75Ah liesure battery, I would like to add another 75Ah in parallel, am I likely to have any problems with this? Would it be cheaper to just replace the 75Ah with a 150Ah?Eventually I want to fit solar panels but one step at a time.

Nothing wrong with solar panels,more reliable than wind quiter than a genny,I have 3x110 amp and a 70w solar panel,3 weeks in France no need for hook up ,

slinger · 13-04-2008, 11:39 PM

Thanks guys,

My 75Ah battery is nearly new (18 months). So I have to decide on the weight issue and either get another 75 Ah or swap it out for a 150.

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.

Any recommendations on Solar panels?

Gonewiththewind · 14-04-2008, 11:53 AM

Hi slinger
You Asked "Any recommendations on Solar panels? "

Can only repeat myself. When I was looking into my solal panel, I was advised to look at, as a minnimum, 50 Watt of Solar Power and 50 Amp of battery for every adult.

I am a Loner but went for 130 Watt Solar and 2 x 110 Amp Battery.
My panel came from
photovoltaic Solar Panels

works for me.

Don