Schaudt EBL 30 and leisure battery replacement

[Rapides]

Looking for advice on replacement leisure batteries, please.

I think my factory-fitted AGM leisure batteries have given up at less than three years of little use and I’m looking at replacing with something other than AGM. The EBL 30 only has settings for gel and AGM, so the simple question is whether I should therefore avoid lead-acid and restrict my search to gel. I’m obviously concerned that the EBL’s two charging profiles are not good for lead-acid batteries.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Lenny HB]

3 years you must have had a really good one.
On my current van I swapped out the AGM and fitted 3 Gels. I'm a fan of Gels due to their long life and you can take them down to 80%DOD.
The EBL30 on AGM the voltage is too high for flooded cells and on the Gel setting the absorption phase 16 hour which can shorten the life of a lot of flooded cells. The Varta LDF range and equivalent Bosch batteries using their power frame construction are generally OK on the Gel setting. Hymer dealers often fit these as an alternative to the AGM.

 

[Rapides]

The Varta LDF range and equivalent Bosch batteries using their power frame construction are generally OK on the Gel setting. Hymer dealers often fit these as an alternative to the AGM.

Just to confirm, Lenny, you believe the Varta LFD is ok on a gel charging regime although it’s lead-acid? That does appear to be the A and N Caravans view.
Thanks.

 

[Lenny HB]

No personal experience but they supposed to be OK.
Why not fit Gels, really don't cost anymore when you take into account their longer life and more useable power, it actually makes them a lot cheaper.