Fitting an Extra Leisure Battery (1 Viewer)

[Petros]

I currently have a 105 ah lead acid leisure battery fitted to my Pilote motorhome (together with 120 watt solar panel). I am looking to add a second battery, i know i have to fit the same "type" of battery but do i have to fit one with the same output? Is the fitting just a case of linking the new battery to the previous one in "parallel" or is it more complicated than that?

 

[Terry]

Hi short answer is NOPE NOT COMPLICATED your van charger a solar control panel will only "see" one larger battery
terry

 

[pappajohn]

What can make a difference is battery age.
As a battery gets older it loses some efficiency thus lowering the charge state and how long it can remain charged.

When this happens it can pull down the efficiency of the new battery by trying to charge itself from the new one, making both slightly underpowered.

Make and size dont matter....chemistry (lead acid...gell etc) and age do.

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[Petros]

Thanks for the info, current battery is 1 year old.

 

[Stealaway]

Make sure you find a way of strapping it down.

 

[Steve]

and please rember to connect to the other battery with suitable cabling

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[Petros]

Thanks for the info

 

[Melvin]

I'm also considering fitting a second batt as well , my MH has a space next to the existing one for a second . Does anyone know of any fitting kits. ie cables cut to size and clamps and if so where I can get them .

 

[peterc10]

I'm also considering fitting a second batt as well , my MH has a space next to the existing one for a second . Does anyone know of any fitting kits. ie cables cut to size and clamps and if so where I can get them .

I got mine from ebay. 25mm cable is the minimum you want. Do it in red or black. Comes in standard lengths with connectors or clamps, or you can buy it by the metre and make your own up with clamps and connectors that you can also buy on ebay.

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[Techno]

Big cable is a better job but not essential if you fit fuses to protect it. Probably about the same cost in parts.

Here a typical battery connector with tap offs. As said above everything is easily found on ebay

I prefer this type of battery as it has dual terminals giving more options

SAFETY WARNING with large cable and no fuses it is absolutely essential that you don't allow a +ve & -ve contact each other

 

[peterc10]

Big cable is a better job but not essential if you fit fuses to protect it. Probably about the same cost in parts.

But fuses will be no good if you want to take a high draw, for example from an inverter, would they?

 

[Techno]

Neither respondent has said they plan to use an inverter? Most motorhomes would never exceed 40 amps in normal use.
Yes if using an inverter you need to use cable big enough for the maximum possible current. My inverter draws from four batteries so yes impractical to put fuses everywhere hence the need for extreme caution when playing about as there will be a BIG bang if you create a short. I use 35mm welding cable that the manufacturer claims 290 amps for (Elland Flex)

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[Techno]

Autotrail use a separate harness to each battery all the way from the Sargent panel probably 4mm at best. A most stupid design

 

[John.]

I'd like to add a 2nd 110amp leisure battery the present one is 12months old.

I already have a 1000w inverter & 140w solar fitted.
Would there be any issues with the on board Sargent charger or can I just connect the new battery with a 25mm fused cable?

 

[robdav]

I currently have a 105 ah lead acid leisure battery fitted to my Pilote motorhome (together with 120 watt solar panel). I am looking to add a second battery, i know i have to fit the same "type" of battery but do i have to fit one with the same output? Is the fitting just a case of linking the new battery to the previous one in "parallel" or is it more complicated than that?

Hi Petros, sounds like I have a similar setup on our Pilote motorhome. I'm looking to fit a second leisure battery as well. Can I ask what you went for in the end? Thanks.

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