Second leisure battery

[Kenny-55]

new van ordered elddis encore 250 pick up 2 weeks is it worthwhile having a second battery fitted as there is room for one
what are the advantages and cons if any
van has 100w solar panel on roof and runs alde heating system
many thanks

 

[pappajohn]

2 x battery = longer off grid.

 

[Tombola]

What amp is the 1st battery 75 maybe from dealy or 100 if lucky. Lead acid?
remember the manufcaturer always put the basic in , an dit depends on your circumstances but Id never manage on 1 x 100ah battery.
So me yes Id get another

 

[WESTY66]

Our first van was an elddis encore 255 with 100w solar and two 110ah batteries also with Alde, we did 8 days first 4 in sun and 4 o/cast and rain and was just going from green into orange. Yes worth a second battery even if it’s a flooded cell battery.
On our present van we have two 110ah gels, 100w solar and a votronic MPPT, not stretched them yet though.

 

[Neil S]

new van ordered elddis encore 250 pick up 2 weeks is it worthwhile having a second battery fitted as there is room for one
what are the advantages and cons if any
van has 100w solar panel on roof and runs alde heating system
many thanks

If your going to be spending most of the time on EHU one battery will probably suffice
But if you want more freedom and don’t want to be tied to campsites
I’d go for a second battery

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[Kenny-55]

Unsure what type just says in the spec that it’s 110 a class battery
I have a few day to advise them to install
thinking it will be a yes
thanks guys

 

[Jonno1103]

new van ordered elddis encore 250 pick up 2 weeks is it worthwhile having a second battery fitted as there is room for one
what are the advantages and cons if any
van has 100w solar panel on roof and runs alde heating system
many thanks

Any other options you've gone for? A payload of 430kg disappears rather quick when you start selecting the tasty extras.

A 2nd battery will bring you down to around 405kg, you're cloths and your partner will bring it down to about 310kg. Awning? you're now at 280kg.

If you have C1 on your licence the first job, for me anyway, would be to have up plated to 3650kg. The extra 150kg will make the world of difference for two of you.

 

[cmcardle75]

new van ordered elddis encore 250 pick up 2 weeks is it worthwhile having a second battery fitted as there is room for one
what are the advantages and cons if any
van has 100w solar panel on roof and runs alde heating system
many thanks

It depends how you will use the van. Also depends how tight you are on payload. These things are heavy and if you use campsites with EHU, you should save your money and weight. If your idea of fun is stopping off at different laybys and aires touring around, but only travelling short distances without solar or in winter, a second battery is essential.

 

[Kenny-55]

How do you go about doing the update
I take it the c1 is itemised on my licence then ?

 

[Tombola]

How do you go about doing the update
I take it the c1 is itemised on my licence then ?

Update ? can you explain.

As for C1 depends if you passed your test before 97 and allows you up to 7.5 t
the encore 250 is under so 3.5 is fine

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[Kenny-55]

Sorry that was up plated
Passed test 1976

 

[cmcardle75]

How do you go about doing the update
I take it the c1 is itemised on my licence then ?

Yes, look on the back. If there is a date against the "C1", then you have it already. Otherwise you need to take another driving test. (If you passed your car test before 1997, it might not show for medical reasons and just taking the medical and applying to DVLA may restore it).

 

[Jonno1103]

Sorry that was up plated
Passed test 1976

Speak to the dealer, It's paper exercise and many coachbuilders offer the up plate to 3650kg free of charge... If they're not happy to do it speak to a company such as SVTech. They'll want a couple of photo's of your chassis plates - look on the frame under the bonnet, they'll give you a yes or no. If yes, pay the money, get your new plates and affix them to your Encore.

It's what my sis and her husband did with their Compass Concerto 250 (same van).

You're an Elddis man so you'll probably know but I must say the 250 is a very comfy motorhome, fine choice.

 

[Fat Albert]

Another company to look at is Van Weight Engineering. Dee and Clair got back to me within 3 hours, earlier this month with 2 possible up plate options. The first, back to the Fiat original plate weight of 3650kgs or going up to 4000kgs (I fitted rear semi air suspension). Still looking at my options and they are very competitive price wise

 

[Kenny-55]

Speak to the dealer, It's paper exercise and many coachbuilders offer the up plate to 3650kg free of charge... If they're not happy to do it speak to a company such as SVTech. They'll want a couple of photo's of your chassis plates - look on the frame under the bonnet, they'll give you a yes or no. If yes, pay the money, get your new plates and affix them to your Encore.

It's what my sis and her husband did with their Compass Concerto 250 (same van).

You're an Elddis man so you'll probably know but I must say the 250 is a very comfy motorhome, fine choice.

I am trading in a 3 year old elddis autoquest 180 for the encore 250
And it’s light years better than the autoquest
alde heating double bed large fridge
Lots of storage as only 2 of us so plenty room for us

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[Bessy765]

We had an Aspire 255 (2012) if you are planning mostly Uk or sits with hook up one battery would do, there is not much difference in running the Alde heating to a fan for blow air. Check you payload, ours originally at 3500kgs was vert tight on payload the dealer offered a free update to 3650kg but that is still tight I fitted semi air and 225/70 r15 fron 215/70’s to get 2240 on the rear axle. If you intend to spend time of hook up or Europe using aires I would go for two batteries member with flooded batteries as a rule of thumb a 100 amp battery gives you 50 amps usable power any more shortens the life of the battery. Given the dealers mark up I would wait till you get the van and fit the second battery yourself. Our dealer wanted £245 to fit a second one.

 

[Kenny-55]

We had an Aspire 255 (2012) if you are planning mostly Uk or sits with hook up one battery would do, there is not much difference in running the Alde heating to a fan for blow air. Check you payload, ours originally at 3500kgs was vert tight on payload the dealer offered a free update to 3650kg but that is still tight I fitted semi air and 225/70 r15 fron 215/70’s to get 2240 on the rear axle. If you intend to spend time of hook up or Europe using aires I would go for two batteries member with flooded batteries as a rule of thumb a 100 amp battery gives you 50 amps usable power any more shortens the life of the battery. Given the dealers mark up I would wait till you get the van and fit the second battery yourself. Our dealer wanted £245 to fit a second one.

Thanks our dealer only taking £149 to supply and fit so can’t complain at that
Mind you the price the van is I tried for a free one but that was a no go

 

[RubyOptics]

I'll throw in my opinion which is..."how long is a piece of string"? It really does come down to how you use your van. We are a family of three and rarely stay anywhere with EHU. We have a single 95AH gel battery and we are fine. We don't often use the TV, we charge any gadgets while we drive and we are careful with lights etc. We also drive a good few hours each day between stops and so we are good with what we have. If we watched a load of tv or charged a bunch of stuff each evening, or wanted an inverter, then we would certainly need to. If it were me, I would get the van and try it. If you find yourself needing or wanting more battery reserve, simply fit it at a later date.