Leisure Battery replacement. (1 Viewer)

[KUSKUS]

I am considering replacing my two AGM batteries of 85 amp each with two Standard flooded wet cell batteries of 125 amp each .
Will the standard Sheiber 20 amp charger be ok ? I also have 250 watt solar panels fitted.

 

[GPW]

Your Sheiber 20 amp charger will have a specified range of battery types and capacities it will work with, you need to lookup the specs.

I'd not go beyond them as it will overload (too much current for too long = too much heat = failure) it.

 

[Stealaway]

I have 250W of solar with a dual controller and 250 ah of wet batteries. Work perfectly. Only ever buy known brand batteries

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[PhilandMena]

It all depends on your power consumption ? You need to do the maths ! Running some appliances like fridges, hair driers etc will take up an enormous amount of power. However, if your just using a small/medium amount of power, i.e. mobile phones. lap tops 12 V TV's LED lighting etc, etc and a smallish Inverter you will be fine with that set up. Not convinced you need 2 x125 AH Lead Acid batteries though. I would go for a more standard size say 110/100 AH leisure batteries. My recommendation would be the Exide 650 ET leisure batteries. They have more lead in them than other batteries of this size and are rated at 350 Cycles at 50% D.O.D. As others have said check your charger can be switched over from AGM to Lead Acid, same for you Solar Panel regulator.

 

[Gaston aires]

Read your vans instructions first. Ours, (Adria) says only gel
or agm batteries must be used. On no account use lead acid.
Best to check.
Phil

 

[KUSKUS]

Just checked instruction book that came with the motorhome, Rapido Mercedes 9 series 2008
and no information on type of battery or charger settings.
We do not have an inverter fitted.
looked on Scheiber website only information is on current stuff they sell.
Has anyone else got a similar motorhome with information on battery capacity or charger settings ?
thanks everyone for your input.

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[GPW]

If you cannot get any more info I'd fit two Gels of around 95Ah each or thereabouts.
IMO huge battery banks are pointless, the optimum size is as small (light) was possible that does the job, cheaper and faster to charge back up too

 

[KUSKUS]

would gels be ok with AGM charging setup ?

 

[GPW]

Your charger should have a selector for Gel or AGM, there are slight differences in what they need:

AGM & GEL Battery Charging Information | Discover Battery

Your default description here

discoverbattery.com

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[KUSKUS]

I have had a good look at my charger but cannot find any type of switch or electronic connector that would select a different charging system.
I have sent an email to Scheiber in France, waiting for a reply.

 

[PhilandMena]

That Charger label say's out 13.7 V. I find that a bit odd as I would expect the charger output to be as high as 14.52 V. for a GEL battery, depending on battery temperature. For AGM 14.79 V.

 

[Lenny HB]

would gels be ok with AGM charging setup ?

In a word no, Gel bulk charge is at a lower votage 14.2-14.4 volts and they need a much longer absorption phase of 4 to 16 hours.

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[PhilandMena]

This may help with GEL/AGM Charging.

AGM & GEL Battery Charging Information | Discover Battery

Your default description here

discoverbattery.com

 

[GPW]

That Charger label say's out 13.7 V. I find that a bit odd as I would expect the charger output to be as high as 14.52 V. for a GEL battery, depending on battery temperature. For AGM 14.79 V.

If the charger really just pushes out a constant 13.7V then that would mean 2 things:

1) You can use Gel
2) It's the reason your AGM's have died

You may wish to measure the battery voltage during charge, if it never rises above 13.7 you may as well fit AGMs in my view.

 

[PhilandMena]

If the charger really just pushes out a constant 13.7V then that would mean 2 things:

1) You can use Gel
2) It's the reason your AGM's have died

You may wish to measure the battery voltage during charge, if it never rises above 13.7 you may as well fit AGMs in my view.

Not suitable for either GEL or AGM if output only 13.7 V. It does not add up though does it. A battery charger with a constant output of 13.7 V. It will be interesting to find out what response the O.P. get's back from France , assuming we are updated with their response.

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[Lenny HB]

If the charger really just pushes out a constant 13.7V then that would mean 2 things:

1) You can use Gel
2) It's the reason your AGM's have died

You may wish to measure the battery voltage during charge, if it never rises above 13.7 you may as well fit AGMs in my view.

I certainly wouldn't fit AGM's useless as leisure batteries and you need 14.7v to charge them, also it will never charge a Gel fully as they need 14.2v and a long absorption phase.

If the charger is only poking out 13.7v that's what the old single stage chargers did to stop batteries gassing. One reason leisure batteries only used to last a couple of years as they never get fully charged and sulphate up.

If it is the case I would fit a new charger before changing the batteries.

 

[GPW]

If the charger is only poking out 13.7v that's what the old single stage chargers did to stop batteries gassing.

And we complete the circle as Kuskus was suggesting to fit regular wet cells - sounds like the cheapest option for a dumb charger.

 

[KUSKUS]

Just had a reply from Scheiber
Hello,



With this charger, you can connected a capacity of batteries of 200ah max.

So 2x 85 ah, it’s good.



For your vehicule, the type of batteries which is more appropriate is AGM. It supports better the deep disharge and is more adaptated for motorhome.



Best regard,



Alexis BAUDU

Support technique

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I have 250 watts of solar fitted with Mppt controller and regularly see over 14 volts on the display but as suggested I am inclined to purchase two 95 amp or 100 amp standard batteries , which if they get damaged isn't going to cost a small fortune to replace.
Varta or Hankooks get good reviews.

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[Lenny HB]

And we complete the circle as Kuskus was suggesting to fit regular wet cells - sounds like the cheapest option for a dumb charger.

But if that's what it is is will knacker wet cells as well.

For your vehicule, the type of batteries which is more appropriate is AGM. It supports better the deep disharge and is more adaptated for motorhome.

Don't believe them, I had AGM's in my last van they lasted 18 months, quite a few Funsters have had similar experience and posting about AGM's failing is all over the German forums.

I think you need to get the full info on your charger, unless your van is over 20 years old it's unlikely to have a dumb charger, the one in your Avitar doesn't look old.

 

[PhilandMena]

May I suggest, that before you go ahead and buy 2 x AGM batteries you confirm your charger is capable of correctly maintaining them. I know the French company said your OK for up to 200AH Max but he has not stated that it is suitable for AGM batteries. I'm of the view you will need a more up to date intelligent charger . To correctly maintain AGM leisure batteries the charger should be capable of the following. Deep Cycle AGM:- AGM batteries should be charged using a charger with a mode switch for AGM type batteries. It is recommended to use a charger, current limited to 20% or 0.2C of the batteries capacity at a charging voltage of between 14.6 – 14.8V following deep cycle use, or 13.6V – 13.8V for standby use.

 

[PhilandMena]

Further to my last post. I agree 100% with Lenny HB . If you are going to fit new batteries and your choice is between GEL and AGM, GEL wins hands down every time. AGM are definitly on there way out. Also, you might just get away with one Gel battery depending on your usage. Again before making the change ensure your solar panel regulator can be adjusted for what-ever battery you finally decide to fit.

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[Lenny HB]

Deep Cycle AGM:- AGM batteries should be charged using a charger with a mode switch for AGM type batteries. It is recommended to use a charger, current limited to 20% or 0.2C of the batteries capacity at a charging voltage of between 14.6 – 14.8V following deep cycle use, or 13.6V – 13.8V for standby use.

Just to complicate it there are Type one & Type 2 AGM's each requires it's own charging regium and they charge at different voltages.
Just steer clear of rubbish AGM's solves the problem.

 

[PhilandMena]

He's just going to fall in love with you and I Lenny. But we may be saving him a shed load of problems further down the line.

 

[Pausim]

That 13.7V was typical of many older 12V supplies. They never charged anything properly, lead acid included. I seem to recall some battery manufacturers complaining that they were wrongly described as chargers in the first place, as they delivered nothing more than a steady supply at a maintenance voltage. I think anyone who has something of this type needs to be thinking about buying a proper charger before replacing batteries.

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[Just smiffy]

How about suggesting a charger for him to charge his new gels” your recommending...

 

[PhilandMena]

How about suggesting a charger for him to charge his new gels” your recommending...

This recommendation was made in post #20. As for a suitable charger the CTEK range is the dogs bollocks. https://www.smarterchargers.co.uk/12-volt-chargers?product_id=57

 

[Lenny HB]

How about suggesting a charger for him to charge his new gels” your recommending...

If his avatar is the van he has his charger may be ok that is why I suggested he gets full info on it.

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[KUSKUS]

Don't really want to purchase a new charger and new gel batteries as don't want to spend a fortune as we may be thinking of changing our motorhome as at the moment could do with two singles and a drop down bed , ours has a French bed and drop down bed.
If this was our last motorhome wouldn't hesitate , another year before I get my state pension.
I will contact Scheiber and see if they can give me more information.
yes the avatar is my van Rapido 986 M 2008. vintage.

 

[Lenny HB]

Rapido 986 M 2008. vintage.

I would expect it to have a multistage charger.