Battery questions (1 Viewer)

[Dorwyn]

Yes, I had an Elecsol changed by Chelston at 13 months, with only a little fuss. I think my conclusion is to buy from a good local dealer not from a large internet 'specialist' at a lower prices. Only thing is you get much less choice. At the time Chelston only did Elecsol, but they had an offer so it was a good price. Highbridge, another local-ish dealer only seem to have an own brand, so your choice is limited.

 

[Lenny HB]

Those batteries were tested outside of the van in my home's garage so were not being affected by the solars. Should I recharge them between readings or just leave them to rest. I think just rest them?

Recharging them would defeat the object of the test- to check usable capacity.

 

[PeteH]

M

They may be good at repairing Elektroblocks, but when it comes to batteries they have a very biased opinion and they are recommending a Starter Battery.

Most of the on-line (sales) sites are marketing them as Leisure use?. Varta themselves list it as :-Dual Purpose Leisure Battery LFD90.

Pete

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[Lenny HB]

M

Most of the on-line (sales) sites are marketing them as Leisure use?. Varta themselves list it as :-Dual Purpose Leisure Battery LFD90.

Pete

That is not the battery A&N were recommending they have updated their site in the last fortnight, probably because they were getting a lot of flack for recommending a starter battery.

 

[Camper634]

@Ovalball, I've gone down the same route as @Forestboy above, also with the expert help of @jonandshell .

What a difference the 2 x 225Ah 6v traction batteries are, compared to the big 12v Elecsol 220Ah leisure battery which wouldn't hold it's charge.

We can be down to 12.4v with the blown heating, lighting, 19" TV, and tablet or laptop charging on the go, but as soon as they are all off, and we retire to bed, the reading is back up to 12.6, and by the morning, the reading is 12.7 again. These are probably the best batteries I have used in 27 years of caravanning and motorhoming.

The Trojan T105 and the Powerline T105 are the same battery, and ours were purchased from https://www.tayna.co.uk/Trojan-Batteries-S1188-1.html?ordering=&A-B=Powerline,Trojan
Next day delivery too. If you have the space to take larger dimension batteries, go for the larger capacities, (especially if your charger is man enough for the job).

HTH,

Jock.

Jock.I like the look of these but it seems they are too high to fit in a standard battery box,I'd the one which came with the van is only about 200mm high.Is there a way of fitting which I'm not seeing here?Your results look excellent and although the initial outlay is a little high I would bite the bullet to achieve them.Do you need a different/better charger to keep them fully charged?

 

[JeanLuc]

That is not the battery A&N were recommending they have updated their site in the last fortnight, probably because they were getting a lot of flack for recommending a starter battery.

After reading the A&N site, I phoned the Varta Technical dept and asked them about battery choice. They were unequivocal: the starter battery is not their recommendation for motorhome habitation supply. I went for 2 x LFD90 and so far, I am pleased with them. They replaced 2 x 110 Ah Elecsols that had lasted 6 years - that was at the beginning of 2015.
As an aside, for anyone with an Elektroblock, unless your motorhome has the very latest model with a specific AGM program, don't buy AGM batteries - get either sealed lead-acid (like the Varta LFD range) or gels from Exide/Sonenschein. (That is, assuming you don't want to go down the traction battery route.)

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[JockandRita]

Jock.I like the look of these but it seems they are too high to fit in a standard battery box,I'd the one which came with the van is only about 200mm high.Is there a way of fitting which I'm not seeing here?

Sorry, I can't help you on that one, as our battery locker is the formerly designated gas cylinder locker (bulk tank fitted), so no restrictions to the size of batteries installed, but they do take up less room than the huge Elecsol 220Ah battery did, albeit a little bit taller.

Do you need a different/better charger to keep them fully charged?

Not unless your multi stage charger isn't man enough. Although our EBL 4-105 is only recommended for a maximum of 180Ah battery bank, and only charges at 15A, we have a Sterling Battery to Battery charger (50A) and 2 x 85W solar panels, which take care of most of the charging needs.
It's not very often we are on mains, and when we are, the batteries usually just take a charge for the first hour, if that.

HTH,

Jock.

P.S. Have a word with @jonandshell before making any decisions. Jon really does know his onions, and is very helpful.

 

[Zigisla]

I have the new EBL 119 and the Gel / Lead Acid switch has a sticker on the LA side for AGM, so it appears it has the circuitry for the AGM charging, but lots of old style casings left over. Manufacturer fitted a Varta Silver Dynamic 95 Ah AGM so would Assume that they should know.

It also has 850A(EN) written on it; what does that mean please?

 

[Lenny HB]

I have the new EBL 119 and the Gel / Lead Acid switch has a sticker on the LA side for AGM, so it appears it has the circuitry for the AGM charging, but lots of old style casings left over. Manufacturer fitted a Varta Silver Dynamic 95 Ah AGM so would Assume that they should know.

It also has 850A(EN) written on it; what does that mean please?

850A(EN) = Exide AGM battery.

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[mitzimad]

I have the new EBL 119 and the Gel / Lead Acid switch has a sticker on the LA side for AGM, so it appears it has the circuitry for the AGM charging, but lots of old style casings left over. Manufacturer fitted a Varta Silver Dynamic 95 Ah AGM so would Assume that they should know.

It also has 850A(EN) written on it; what does that mean please?

from the stories ive read on here i would NOT assume anything about manufacturers other than always going for the cheapest option

 

[SandraL]

850A EN

I believe this refers to its output in amps for cranking the engine, ie a measure of its capability as a starter motor battery.

 

[Lenny HB]

850A EN

I believe this refers to its output in amps for cranking the engine, ie a measure of its capability as a starter motor battery.

I think you are right I did a quick Google search and it came up with loads of results for AGM, didn't put brain into gear before posting.

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[Lenny HB]

Some interesting graphs here from Exide info sheet, obviously applies to their batteries , but gives a general overall view of how different types of battery perform. Cost versus longevity Gel's still look like the winners.

 

[mexican pete]

I'd like to add my experience with Banner Batteries. We purchased a December 2008 Bessacarr 765P in August 2014. First night away and the leisure battery died. So I purchased two 110 amp Banner Batteries and fitted a 120 watt solar panel. By last November the batteries didn't seem to be much good. Starting from fully charged, after an hour of having the Truma heating on the battery voltage was down to 11.8volts!!! By turning the heating off they slowly recovered to 12.2volts. Not much good when it's -2 degrees outside.
So I suppose I'll have to cut my losses and try to buy some reliable ones. What a minefield. No point in returning them as the dealer I purchased them from is over 100 miles away.

 

[jonandshell]

Banner batteries are fine.

Most motorhome charging systems are pants.

Therein lies the problem.

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[Techno]

Banner batteries are fine.

Most motorhome charging systems are pants.

Therein lies the problem.

So in that case all batteries would stand the same not just banner.

 

[jonandshell]

Why is it that most folk blame the batteries when most motorhome converters produce total electrical garbage.

 

[jonandshell]

So in that case all batteries would stand the same not just banner.

Fair enough Andy.

Why is it most folks with battery issues have Sargent electrical systems with shite wiring?

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[Techno]

Perhaps Sargent are not up to the job but not likely really for the average installation anymore than other manufacturers efforts. Banner are too expensive for what they are. Roadpro and other contributors tried to extol the virtues of Banner against other n0 name brands and it is clearly seen as Bullsh*T by many

 

[denisejoe]

I have the new EBL 119 and the Gel / Lead Acid switch has a sticker on the LA side for AGM, so it appears it has the circuitry for the AGM charging, but lots of old style casings left over. Manufacturer fitted a Varta Silver Dynamic 95 Ah AGM so would Assume that they should know.

It also has 850A(EN) written on it; what does that mean please?

I believe this battery is a stop start engine battery and is also sold under the Bosch banner due to there design they should be a good leisure battery

Joe

 

[Ralph-n-Bev]

Why is it that most folk blame the batteries when most motorhome converters produce total electrical garbage.

Spot on John

Thats why i built my own.....Victron all the way for me

Ralph

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[Lenny HB]

Why is it that most folk blame the batteries when most motorhome converters produce total electrical garbage.

Why is it then that both Banner and Schaudt (manufacturers of Elektroblock) both assured me when I contacted them that the Gel charging regime was suitable for the Banner AGM batteries and both batteries failed after 18 months, not only they failed they won't honour their warranty either.
Banner are absolute JUNK.