Batteries have finally given up....

Just smiffy

Just smiffy

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My banner AGM’s died over night, luckily we came back from a 4week trip from France yesterday....

I believe these may be 7yrs old from new in my Hymer B544... certainly more than 5yrs old.

They were showing 12.5v on my little monitor and the victron monitor is telling me the state of charge is 51% and my victron controllers are flashing like a disco...

So, I have these...

89242FF1-7D11-41E4-B599-61D4D120C6E5.jpeg


5E7425B4-D897-4783-B90F-4A79CF887ACC.jpeg


Size is L354xW180xH190mm and as you can see not a lot of room for anything bigger...

I want to replace them with Gel and I have one or two ideas what to get but battery specs are changing regularly

So here is the old chestnut....

Which do you recommend...?

Tried and tested reviews would be good and I know this subject has been done many times and a search comes up with too many conflicting threads so I thought I’d start my own...

Some specs.....
I have three solar panels so 300w in total, a victron MPPT 70/15 controller for each panel, a BtB charge thingy? and we use a waeco 1500w inverter frequently used for a low wattage kettle and the hairdryer...

Can I go higher Amps..?

Lenny HB will be chuffed the AGM’s have kicked it...? so I’m expecting your recommendations Lenny..??

So everyone, fill ya boots...?
 
Just smiffy said:
My banner AGM’s died over night, luckily we came back from a 4week trip from France yesterday....

I believe these may be 7yrs old from new in my Hymer B544... certainly more than 5yrs old.

They were showing 12.5v on my little monitor and the victron monitor is telling me the state of charge is 51% and my victron controllers are flashing like a disco...

So, I have these...

View attachment 335646

View attachment 335647

Size is L354xW180xH190mm and as you can see not a lot of room for anything bigger...

I want to replace them with Gel and I have one or two ideas what to get but battery specs are changing regularly

So here is the old chestnut....

Which do you recommend...?

Tried and tested reviews would be good and I know this subject has been done many times and a search comes up with too many conflicting threads so I thought I’d start my own...

Some specs.....
I have three solar panels so 300w in total, a victron MPPT 70/15 controller for each panel, a BtB charge thingy? and we use a waeco 1500w inverter frequently used for a low wattage kettle and the hairdryer...

Can I go higher Amps..?

Lenny HB will be chuffed the AGM’s have kicked it...? so I’m expecting your recommendations Lenny..??

So everyone, fill ya boots...?
Click to expand...
You have been living on borrowed time for 5 years. :ROFLMAO:

I have Sonnenschine gels they make the Exide gels, the one Tayna list as 75a/h are actually 78a/h.

www.tayna.co.uk

GF12065Y Sonnenschein Battery (GF1265Y / GF 12 65 Y)

GF 12 65 Y Sonnenschein GEL/VRLA Battery Sonnenschein is owned by the battery manufacturing giant Exide. With over 130 years in the battery business, Exide are known for their quality in the industry. Sonnenschein were one of the first companies to develop VRLA GEL batteries and to this day they...
www.tayna.co.uk www.tayna.co.uk
 
As you might know... :whistle2:
I am new to things German like Hymer and BURSTNER :D BUT I had some great advise off fellow funsters that led me to do some reading up on the Ebox and Elektroblock systems, which I assume you may have, Seem's they have some limitations on the total ampage of the batteries that you can use. To much and it can stress the system resulting in expensive repairs. SO before throwing in bigger amp batteries just do some research.. (y)

Reich e-Box Battery Charger Sales and Repairs for Burstner Motorhomes

Burstner Reich e-Box Battery Charger Repairs and Sales. Reich E-Box for sale at £290. Repairs from £190. Guaranteed. reich e-box II at £490
www.aandncaravanservices.co.uk
 
We have two Exide G80’s sat it exactly in the same space on our B544, also with 300w solar.
www.tayna.co.uk

Exide G80 80Ah Gel Battery for Hymer Motorhomes

ES900 Exide Marine & Leisure Equipment GEL Battery Exide are one of the leading battery companies in the world and have been delivering quality in the sector for more than 130 years! Exide has introduced its next generation of car/light vehicle batteries. The range is developed in Exide’s...
www.tayna.co.uk www.tayna.co.uk
 
Last edited:
Garry we have hymer batteries :unsure: on our Pilote. :doh: Bob.

www.tayna.co.uk

Exide G80 80Ah Gel Battery for Hymer Motorhomes

ES900 Exide Marine & Leisure Equipment GEL Battery Exide are one of the leading battery companies in the world and have been delivering quality in the sector for more than 130 years! Exide has introduced its next generation of car/light vehicle batteries. The range is developed in Exide’s...
www.tayna.co.uk www.tayna.co.uk

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tonka said:
As you might know... :whistle2:
I am new to things German like Hymer and BURSTNER :D BUT I had some great advise off fellow funsters that led me to do some reading up on the Ebox and Elektroblock systems, which I assume you may have, Seem's they have some limitations on the total ampage of the batteries that you can use. To much and it can stress the system resulting in expensive repairs. SO before throwing in bigger amp batteries just do some research.. (y)

Reich e-Box Battery Charger Sales and Repairs for Burstner Motorhomes

Burstner Reich e-Box Battery Charger Repairs and Sales. Reich E-Box for sale at £290. Repairs from £190. Guaranteed. reich e-box II at £490
www.aandncaravanservices.co.uk
Click to expand...

I have the Electrobloc EBL 99 G and with the AGM’s it was set on the gel setting...
As for amps I enquired can I go higher hoping someone would know....

Hettie's Crew how long have yours been in and how do you punish them..?
 
bobandjanie said:
Garry we have hymer batteries :unsure: on our Pilote. :doh: Bob.

www.tayna.co.uk

Exide G80 80Ah Gel Battery for Hymer Motorhomes

ES900 Exide Marine & Leisure Equipment GEL Battery Exide are one of the leading battery companies in the world and have been delivering quality in the sector for more than 130 years! Exide has introduced its next generation of car/light vehicle batteries. The range is developed in Exide’s...
www.tayna.co.uk www.tayna.co.uk
Click to expand...

Ah..... two? And how do you charge them Bob..??
 
Just smiffy said:
I have the Electrobloc EBL 99 G and with the AGM’s it was set on the gel setting...
As for amps I enquired can I go higher hoping someone would know...
Click to expand...
Hymer & Schaudt recommend fitting the additional charger when adding a second battery.
But it depends on your use. I have three batteries but only the basic 18 amp charger as my batteries are charged 95% of the time by my solar panels.
It would only cause a problem if the batteries were really flat and you were charging from mains and even then only a small chance unless you were charging them from flat every day.
Normal use 2 batteries on the basic charger is fine.
 
Just smiffy said:
how long have yours been in and how do you punish them..?
Click to expand...
They’ve only been there about a year and we don’t go heavy on use, just TV, lights and charging pads/phones, so ours never get anywhere near discharged. The best thing I can say is that we don’t think about them much.
 
Just set our Schuadt electroblock and Schaudt LRM1218 mppt regulator to gel. (y) :)

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If buying from Tanya signing up for there newsletter often gives a discount or if buying more than one phone them & they will only charge carriage for one.
 
Any more recommendations before I buy the Exide G80’s.....?
 
Hi, as others have said you have done very well to get 7 years out of your Banner AGM Batteries. It would appear that there has been a problem with AGM batteries in general and some major car manufacturers have stopped fitting them to new cars and the current thinking by knowledgeable authorities on the subject is that AGM has had its day. Recent technology improvements are now behind Lead Acid and Gel with respect to leisure vehicles. There are other new batteries out there which are even better but their charging regime is more demanding. I would recommend you go for GEL batteries providing your charging system can maintain them. More expensive than Lead Acid and AGM but so much better and can be discharged by up to 80% without harm.
 
PhilandMena said:
Hi, as others have said you have done very well to get 7 years out of your Banner AGM Batteries. It would appear that there has been a problem with AGM batteries in general and some major car manufacturers have stopped fitting them to new cars and the current thinking by knowledgeable authorities on the subject is that AGM has had its day. Recent technology improvements are now behind Lead Acid and Gel with respect to leisure vehicles. There are other new batteries out there which are even better but their charging regime is more demanding. I would recommend you go for GEL batteries providing your charging system can maintain them. More expensive than Lead Acid and AGM but so much better and can be discharged by up to 80% without harm.
Click to expand...

it is a mine field out there as to get the same batteries AGM’s or equivalent would cost more then the G80’s .... and researching it agm’s come up with very good reviews...?

i guess it’s only just getting to the headlines that Motorhomes are having problems with the charging regime the the AGM’s require....

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Poor performance of AGM's has been in the headlines since the Hymer group started fitting them around 2012. Just need to search the German forums.

A 78/80 a/h Gel will give you more available power than a 95a/h AGM and last far longer.
No minefield, gels are better, giver better performance, last a very long time and are cheaper.
Hymer were fitting them for around 20 years before changing to AGM, never heard any complaints. Carthago, Morelo etc., still fit gels.
 
Just smiffy said:
Any more recommendations before I buy the Exide G80’s.....?
Click to expand...
Garry, I am successfully and happily using FLA Trojan Traction Batteries, with a 16A EBL, 2 x solar panels, and a B2B. They too can be taken down to 80% of their capacity without damaging the plates. They must be coming up to 5 x years old now, and I would go down that route again, however, if I couldn't stick with them due to increased dimensions, or difficult to source, then I'd go for Gels.
The advantage for me, is that our batteries are not internally stored, so less important for me to install Gels.

Good luck in making your decision. (y)

Cheers,

Jock. :)
 
Banner make a range of batteries. The 'Running Bull' type as in the picture are designed as starter batteries, with some 'AGM Technology' inside to make them a bit less vibration-prone. They are not what are normally thought of as AGM batteries, which are sealed and valve regulated, with a 'recombinant' component to the final bit of the charging cycle. Banner Running Bull are not intended to be used as leisure batteries.
 
JockandRita said:
Garry, I am successfully and happily using FLA Trojan Traction Batteries, with a 16A EBL, 2 x solar panels, and a B2B. They too can be taken down to 80% of their capacity without damaging the plates. They must be coming up to 5 x years old now, and I would go down that route again, however, if I couldn't stick with them due to increased dimensions, or difficult to source, then I'd go for Gels.
The advantage for me, is that our batteries are not internally stored, so less important for me to install Gels.

Good luck in making your decision. (y)

Cheers,

Jock. :)
Click to expand...
Before the advent of the dedicated "leisure battery". Many regular weekend ralliers bought and used a pack of 2 x 6V traction batteries in series, as a primary 12v Leisure source. They where extremely heavy by comparison due to the design to allow long term use for the likes of Milk Floats etc and Factory Fork trucks.

My First R-V, which was directly imported from the USA, actually came with 6 off 6V traction batteries for both Engine and House.
 
Agm need at least 14.1 to 14.4 class 1 I’ve had mine for over 2 yrs far better than wet lead so if agm are crap why are autotrail, hymer and other manufacturers using agm as standard

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Tude said:
Agm need at least 14.1 to 14.4 class 1 I’ve had mine for over 2 yrs far better than wet lead so if agm are crap why are autotrail, hymer and other manufacturers using agm as standard
Click to expand...
Probably because they buy them cheap. Biggest pile of poo I've come across regarding batteries I would never have then again after having them in the last van.
You only need to search the German forums to see how bad they are.
Mercedes, BMW and other car manufacturers are ditching them due to reliability problems.
 
Lenny have you always been a knob car batteries completely behave differently than car batteries speak to the people who sell them
 
Sorry than leisure batteries I’m behaving like you
 
I was just pointing out even big users are dissing them as stater batteries and as AGM are supposed to be good for stop start they are not even suitable for that let alone using them for leisure batteries which they were never designed for.
 
I have two of these which are guaranteed for six years. https://www.alpha-batteries.co.uk/12v-110ah-leoch-powabloc-tubular-gel-battery/

I had one on my previous MH. Remember you have to change the charge rate settings for GEL. On modern MH usually just means flicking a switch on the charger.

If I remember correctly GEL charge at something like 14.6 amps where as AGM and Acid charge at 14.9 amps. The numbers are something like that.

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Please give me your thoughts on this..

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Are my batteries really dead...?

I have another thread running about my batteries but this is a new different question ..... https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/batteries-have-finally-given-up.205541/#post-3519604 so, been away for nearly weeks and came back Saturday evening driving from tunnel to cornwall.... Sunday...
www.motorhomefun.co.uk www.motorhomefun.co.uk
 
What happened to the recommended Varta LFD 90 batteries?
 

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