What replacement leisure batteries? (1 Viewer)

[Richard Birkett]

It seems that my leisure batteries may need replacing, I currently have 2 number 210 amp hour Exide Gel batteries. This is the 1st time I've had gels as all previous vans had traditional wet batteries. Are gels worth the extra cost?

 

[Gromett]

I personally think Gels are to be avoided unless you live on a boat or want to mount them on their sides... AGM or flooded are better in my opinion.

 

[Theonlysue]

I've got gels and would replace with gels. They take longer to charge, but also longer to discharge. Personal choice really if you do change, check settings on regulator and charger as there may be a selection switch for the type of batteries you are using.

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[Lenny HB]

I'm a fan of Gel's 2 x 80 A/H gels in the last van still going strong when I sold it at nearly 6 years old. Know other Hymer owners where they are still going at 9 years. Only downside is they take longer to charge. They can accept an 80% DOD which means a 80 A/H gel will give similar performance to a 110 A/H wet cell.

 

[funflair]

I also like GEL's and have not been persuaded otherwise yet. Yes they are more expensive so need to outlast the competition. @Richard Birkett how old are yours.

From what I have read GEL's are less affected by sulphation if a battery is not kept at fully charged state and they will tolerate discharge down to 80% which some deep cycle lead acid will but certainly not all.

Just to add ours 2x80ah EXIDE's are now 9 years old and still powering the microwave etc.

 

[Richard Birkett]

Thanks everyone!
I decided to go with the same Exide Gels as existing, Tayna Batteries gave me a discount off the website price so placed the order with them. It then suddenly occured to me that the batteries may be under the dealer warranty, I contacted Southdown who immediately said they were. A call to Tayna and they canceled the order and the batteries should arrive on Friday ( all 140kg).

Great service from both companies.

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[pappajohn]

As you were prepared to buy two new ones anyway i would have kept them and installed all four.

840ah.....A good bank size for any situation.

Maybe a bit on the heavy side though at 1/4 ton.

 

[Don Quixote]

It seems that my leisure batteries may need replacing, I currently have 2 number 210 amp hour Exide Gel batteries. This is the 1st time I've had gels as all previous vans had traditional wet batteries. Are gels worth the extra cost?

Here is some good reading for you:

http://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum...ement+leisure+batteries&o=relevance&c[node]=5

 

[scotjimland]

Too late for the OP but worth a read for anyone else who may be thinking gels are better ..

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quote.
The key question
Another way to approach this subject is the simple Irish way (being Irish myself). I went onto the web and obtained 3 different battery type prices, these were the first prices I came to and have no reflection on any company. I was looking for about a 100 amp hour battery.

• 100 amp hour leisure. Normal open lead acid (so called leisure) £49.99
• 100 amp hour AGM = £175
• 100 amp hour Gel = £265.59

So in my simple mind the AGM is about 3 times more expensive than the standard one. And the Gel, about 5 times more. So the question is; if these batteries are 3 – 5 times more expensive than the standard one, what do they do that is 3 – 5 times better? Do they last 3 – 5 times longer? (I think not, more like the reverse). Do they charge 3 – 5 times faster to reduce your engine running hours? (Only in their dreams.) So rather than ask me weird questions; please ask the sales man, who is trying to sell this stuff for cycling, exactly what you are getting that is 3 – 5 times better than standard lead acid batteries. Then please let me know as I could do with a good laugh.

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[canopus]

We have 3 x Deta 140Ah (Exide) GEL batteries and IMO they have outperformed other battery banks which we've had in two narrow boats. We can use a hairdryer, heated tongs, microwave, Remoska and a Slow Cooker courtesy of a big inverter, via the said battery bank and 305 watts of solar. Have been out since 6th January and in that time spent only 3 nights on hook up. Wouldn't hesitate to replace them with the same.

 

[Lenny HB]

The guy that runs Sterling has always dismissed Gel's, but from my own experience & other Hymer/German Motorhome owners have found them to have very a long life making them cost effective, also the price of them has dropped by nearly 40% over the last couple of years. An Exide Gel used to be around £240 can now be had for under £150.
When my AGM's get to the end of their life I will probably replace them with Gel's if I plan to keep the van for more than a further couple of years.