Leisure Battery Query (1 Viewer)

[Marzipan]

We're changing our Varta 90Ah and need advise whether to fit 2 x 110Ah batteries or one 230Ah battery. We have space to fit either option. We would prefer to fit one larger battery but what are the cons to this please?
We are also in the process of fitting a solar panel as we mostly free camp.

Also how efficiently should the vehicle battery/alternator charge the leisure battery, i.e. percentage?

Thanks.

 

[jockaneezer]

Do you have any details of your on board charger ? Some have a limit to how big a battery bank they can charge.

 

[chaser]

Do you have any details of your on board charger ? Some have a limit to how big a battery bank they can charge.

Which will be the case in either option

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[Marzipan]

Sorry, no idea , not technically-minded. Vehicle is a Burstner Nexxo on a Ford if that helps.

 

[Ranger]

It depends on who is carrying it, a 230 amp should be very heavy if its a good one. A good 110 would weigh 25kg +.

 

[pappajohn]

A 4a charger will charge a 230a battery.......eventually.

The ideal MAXIMUM charge current is 20% of the battery capacity

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[Marzipan]

Hmm, surprisingly and disappointingly (from my experience of this great group), these replies have not been very helpful . Shame, was worth a try though

 

[Cal54]

I know nothing about this subject, all I can say is that in a previous MH I had 2 leisure batteries (as I do now) one of them proved to be faulty when only few months old and I was away on holiday. Some kind gent disconnected the faulty one and left me with one operating battery which sufficed for the rest of my holiday, which included some wild camping. From this experience I personally would go for 2.

 

[funflair]

I know nothing about this subject, all I can say is that in a previous MH I had 2 leisure batteries (as I do now) one of them proved to be faulty when only few months old and I was away on holiday. Some kind gent disconnected the faulty one and left me with one operating battery which sufficed for the rest of my holiday, which included some wild camping. From this experience I personally would go for 2.

For somebody who "knows nothing about the subject" you put up a very strong and valid case for two batteries.

Martin

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[Marzipan]

Thanks Carol & Martin for your replies, I appreciate the query was multi-factorial with regard to 1 versus 2 leisure batteries plus the complication of added solar panel. What does seem to be coming out from a few threads is the use of inverters - another whole can of worms . Being electrically non-savvy is a definite disadvantage when motor homing

 

[hilldweller]

Hmm, surprisingly and disappointingly (from my experience of this great group), these replies have not been very helpful . Shame, was worth a try though

You were told before this post of yours. 1. weight is the consideration when it comes to one or two and 2. your charger will cope provided you believe the qualified electrician.

The solar panel is just a statement.

But finally, your alternator will charge your battery 100%.

Would you prefer 100 answers, all conflicting, as usual ?

 

[Ranger]

Not sure I can add much more. I prefer two batteries for the reasons eluded to above and from a charging point of view it makes no difference whether its one or two but the type of charging system used on that particular vehicle may be relevant to the capacity it can charge.

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[Marzipan]

Not sure I can add much more. I prefer two batteries for the reasons eluded to above and from a charging point of view it makes no difference whether its one or two but the type of charging system used on that particular vehicle may be relevant to the capacity it can charge.

Thanks Ranger but how do we find the type of charging system we have and its capacity?

 

[Langtoftlad]

What is the price per Ah of the two options?
Is one significantly cheaper than the other???
You asked for "cons" to fitting just the one battery which you answered yourself .

Edited:
I just quickly googled
2x 115Ah Banner at Tanya.co.uk = £220
1x 230Ah Banner at Tanya.co.uk = £246

So there you have it - two batteries cheaper, less weight to manhandle, and more flexibility.

 

[MitchandJenny]

It is a personal preference...
I like two 100AH banner batteries.
Easy to fit and remove if one goes "duff".
The wiring loom was already there for two.
And, not as heavy.
We have one 100 watt solar panel and mostly wild camp..
NEVER been short of elektrikery and we DO watch a couple of hours TV most evenings.
We also have a 300 watt inverter that we use to charge toothbrush, laptops, phones and camera.
Good luck with what you decide on.
And remember, ALL those on this site, who take the trouble to reply to your queries,
MEAN WELL...So try NOT to get "huffy"...
Mitch.

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[Ranger]

Thanks Ranger but how do we find the type of charging system we have and its capacity?

Sorry can't help with that one, hopefully you will find the maximum capacity the charge system can handle will be in the manuals you have with the van or post details or a photo of the control panel on here otherwise google is your friend.

 

[funflair]

Thanks Ranger but how do we find the type of charging system we have and its capacity?

I wouldn't worry too much about the on board charging capacity especially if you don't spend much time on hook up, as has already been posted whatever your charger capacity is it will charge at the same rate on one or two batteries so the only difference will be that with more capacity your batteries will take longer to fully charge and will last longer when you come off charge.

Martin