Batteries.. which one..? (1 Viewer)

May 31, 2015
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I’m going to order my new batteries in the next day or so…..

I decided not to go lithium as a couple of normals will last me quite a while.
I’m not really restricted on space and will get two of the same batteries with room for a third if needed.

What I’ve looked at and I quite like the exide es950 gel as they will fit nicely.

Or what would you suggest….?




 

bobandjanie

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Still happy with our Exide G80 gel Garry, fitted early April 2018, didn't you buy the same for the hymer. 😎 Bob.

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Just smiffy
May 31, 2015
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Still happy with our Exide G80 gel Garry, fitted early April 2018, didn't you buy the same for the hymer. 😎 Bob.

I bought the Varta lfd 90 (I think) but I never got to use really before I sold the van…

I’m only getting a 1000w inverter as it’ll only power bike battery and remosker at most….😎
 

Lenny HB

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Looks like you will only be using the inverter at half power or less so two batteries will be fine.

I like Gel batteries they give a very long life and have a larger amount of useable power as you can discharge to 20% and still have a long life. The downside is they take longer to fully charge but are more tolerant of not being fully charged.

If you go for the EFB they won't last as long as Gels but are better for high current use and will charge quicker but best not discharged below 50%.

The difference in charging is when they get to 80% the EFB will only need an hour or two of the absorption phase where as the Gel will need 4 to 8 hours. In both cases the Absorption time depends on how discharged they are and my figures are for a low battery so in practice not as long.

The Varta is the replacement for the LFD and appears to be good, if you go for the Exide check the date of manufacture as they are not that popular and often on the shelf a long time.
 

bobandjanie

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We have a 600w Stirling inverter charging both bike batteries from flat gives the batteries what for, 😁 if its sunny they soon recover, it's not we do one when we get back and the other in the morning 🤔 I think our remoska is 400w. 😎

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Just smiffy
May 31, 2015
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Looks like you will only be using the inverter at half power or less so two batteries will be fine.

I like Gel batteries they give a very long life and have a larger amount of useable power as you can discharge to 20% and still have a long life. The downside is they take longer to fully charge but are more tolerant of not being fully charged.

If you go for the EFB they won't last as long as Gels but are better for high current use and will charge quicker but best not discharged below 50%.

The difference in charging is when they get to 80% the EFB will only need an hour or two of the absorption phase where as the Gel will need 4 to 8 hours. In both cases the Absorption time depends on how discharged they are and my figures are for a low battery so in practice not as long.

The Varta is the replacement for the LFD and appears to be good, if you go for the Exide check the date of manufacture as they are not that popular and often on the shelf a long time.

Hi Lenny,

I’m thinking of buying these… what do you all think..?


I’m probably looking at around 300+ of solar on the roof

 

Lenny HB

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Hi Lenny,

I’m thinking of buying these… what do you all think..?


I’m probably looking at around 300+ of solar on the roof

For the solar regulator I would spend a bit more on a Votronic or Victron, The Votronic MPP range are good and have a 1 amp output for the starter battery. If there is any chance you might change to Lithium I would go for a Victron.

The inverter will be fine for your use I've seen a few mixed reviews on them but support appears to be good and they are quite cheap so a better option than a lot of the cheap Chinese stuff.
 
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Just smiffy
May 31, 2015
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For the solar regulator I would spend a bit more on a Votronic or Victron, The Votronic MPP range are good and have a 1 amp output for the starter battery. If there is any chance you might change to Lithium I would go for a Victron.

The inverter will be fine for your use I've seen a few mixed reviews on them but support appears to be good and they are quite cheap so a better option than a lot of the cheap Chinese stuff.

I knew you would talk me into a more expensive victron or votronic 😆🤣 the renogy fairs well against others with Will Prowse and I do have a victron 100/30 Bluetooth saved on my list but it’s another £80 squidlys that I could spend on fuse breakers and wiring…😊
But I’m not gonna have you say “I told ya so” when it might go tits up…😆🤣😂

So it looks like the vicron for sure if you wannna make a donation..🤣😉😎

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Lenny HB

LIFE MEMBER
Oct 18, 2007
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I knew you would talk me into a more expensive victron or votronic 😆🤣 the renogy fairs well against others with Will Prowse and I do have a victron 100/30 Bluetooth saved on my list but it’s another £80 squidlys that I could spend on fuse breakers and wiring…😊
But I’m not gonna have you say “I told ya so” when it might go tits up…😆🤣😂

So it looks like the vicron for sure if you wannna make a donation..🤣😉😎
I like Will Prowse but he lives in Las Vegas so he is always going to get good results with solar. He compared a load of PWR regulators with MPPT ones and found hardly any difference. The MPPT regulators work far better on this side of the pond, the difference is quite noticeable.
 
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Just smiffy
May 31, 2015
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I’m going to order my new batteries in the next day or so…..

I decided not to go lithium as a couple of normals will last me quite a while.
I’m not really restricted on space and will get two of the same batteries with room for a third if needed.

What I’ve looked at and I quite like the exide es950 gel as they will fit nicely.

Or what would you suggest….?






Any one else have any recommendations…?

Before I buy tomorrow….😎
 
Nov 24, 2008
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I had three Varta LFD that were heavily used for best part of 4 years, 1 year of that full time running a 240v fridge through an inverter. Started not holding charge so well last few months so as we were coming away on a trip replaced them with their newer model December 22. Used Varta for other vehicles as starter batteries and been more than happy with them.
 
Jul 12, 2013
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Lenny is the man but if looking for wet batteries, a talk by 3M,s and Dave Newell in Peterborough concluded one of the best ways to choose a battery is by weight. the thicker and therefore heavier the plates the longer the life of the battery. being a skinflint I have an AGM leisure battery but would have gone for Gel, if I did not need to eat.

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Lenny HB

LIFE MEMBER
Oct 18, 2007
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On the coast in West Sussex
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Hymer B678 DL
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Since 2008 & many years tugging
Lenny is the man but if looking for wet batteries, a talk by 3M,s and Dave Newell in Peterborough concluded one of the best ways to choose a battery is by weight. the thicker and therefore heavier the plates the longer the life of the battery
Not always true not unknown for some of the cheap batteries to put steel plates in the bottom of the case just to increase the weight.
 
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Just smiffy
May 31, 2015
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I can’t find a Varta gel batteries, there either wet agm or EFB or is it me…?

Tried Tayna an battery megastore….🤔

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funflair

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If we didn't have Lithium I would have Exide Gel's again, we would be using them differently to how we use the Lithium though, regulator definitely MPPT and Votronic are good but my experience with the brand on Lithium batteries was not good so I have to say Victron with Lithium.
 
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Just smiffy
May 31, 2015
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I’m going to buy 2 of the exide es950 g58 gels today…

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