Which Leisure Battery? (1 Viewer)

[Jake Royd]

My MH has a Varta G3 battery in the leisure position.
When charging I see 14.4 volts , so my charging system is working.
However, when rested and the charger is off I see 11volts, even after 12 hrs charging.
So it's goosed, and since it is a cranking battery not a deep cycle battery, perhaps no suprise.

I've identified 2 batteries I have in mind to replace it.

Specs are identical, except one is NCC class A and the other is not classified by the NCC.

One is £109.13 and the other £143.98

What does the Forum think?
I know the NCC scheme has it's critic's , is the expensive battery worth the extra?
Is the expensive battery any different?
Can't compare weights.
No specs for number of cycles at a particular DoD etc.

I note the cheaper battery is warranted for 4 years the expensive one for 2 years, although battery guarantees are practically worthless if you read the exclusions.

It's not that I can't afford the more expensive one , i want to seek the Forum's expertise.

And how come the expensive one has much more charged for delivery?

EXV110 Enduroline Calcium Leisure Battery 12V

EXV110 Enduroline WET Lead Acid Calcium Leisure Battery <i>Enduring Power for Every Cycle</i> The Enduroline brand name is the flagship battery of Tayna Batteries. With the highest quality, power and performance. With much care and attention to detail lavished on every model. We are extremely...

www.tayna.co.uk

ET650 Exide Marine Leisure Equipment Battery 12V 100Ah

ET650 Exide Marine & Leisure Equipment 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 original...

www.tayna.co.uk

Thank you

 

[Stealaway]

Exide but only because its well known brand. Wet is good. Have a look at the Numax range. I can definitely recommend those - and the price is good.

 

[PhilandMena]

The Exide ET 650 battery is rated at 360 cycles @50 % D.O.D. and around 29 Kilo's ( a shed load of lead). I have 2 fitted and I consider them to be the best Lead Acid leisure batteries on the market. I think this last statement might (just possibly, by a tiny, teeny weeny tad) be challenged by one or two (thousand) members who are qualified leisure battery experts, unlike me, who is as thick as pig shit.

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[peterc10]

Ignore the NCC rating, it is a complete con. It turns out that they do not test the batteries at all, but instead rely upon the makers figures.

 

[Jake Royd]

The Exide ET 650 battery is rated at 360 cycles @50 % D.O.D. and around 29 Kilo's ( a shed load of lead). I have 2 fitted and I consider them to be the best Lead Acid leisure batteries on the market. I think this last statement might (just possibly, by a tiny, teeny weeny tad) be challenged by one or two (thousand) members who are qualified leisure battery experts, unlike me, who is as thick as pig shit.

Good info.
Thank you.
The weight might explain the higher delivery charge?

 

[Stealaway]

save delivery charge and have a tour to the depot - pick them up?

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[PhilandMena]

What ever batteries you order, check voltages upon delivery. The batteries I ordered from Tanya arrived at 12.4 V because they were not checked while being held in their storage facility and I believe there expectation is that new batteries will just be fitted without checking first. I returned my batteries to Tanya after sending them proof of the voltage readings and they reluctantly returned my payment. My negative feedback was not published on their website and if you look you will see they have no negative feedback. Now you know why.

 

[Lenny HB]

Enduroline are Tayna's own brand, their starter batteries are good but I doubt if their leisure battery is a proper one, probably just a relabeled starter battery.

 

[TinaLes]

A lot of German vans like Hymer & Carthago come with one or maybe two Gel Type leisure batteries, ours came with one Exide G80 80 Amp/hour Gel Battery.
I wanted to have two, but was surprised at the cost of these gel type at £169 each, so I considered the options, then found out that Gels can be discharged much lower than wet lead acid batteries which should not be taken below 50%, whereas Gels can be taken down much lower to 20% without damage.
As I already had a new one in the van, I bit the bullet and ordered another Exide G80 as they have to be a matched pair in both type & age.
I dont regret it now as having spoken to a few German van owners they have had typically 7/8 years use out of them before needing replacement.
If you have a decent smart 3 stage charger that can be set up for Gel Batteries then this although more expensive is the route to take.
I know you are on a budget though, and like me initially thought £169 each "No Way" but I dont regret it now. If I was starting from scratch and needing two I would have done as Lenny HB suggested and bought 2 Sonnenschein Gels as they were slightly cheaper and as good as the Exides, but just having a look now they are dearer these days, very strange.
Buy Gels if you can, they last longer than wets in leisure use.
all the best
Les

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[Jake Royd]

Good advice.
Thank you.
My MH is 2008 vehicle with a CBE charger
This can charge via the alternator or EHU.
However I don't think it does Gel charging.
I will check and would ask if anybody knows?
Don't have the manual with me as I write.
That's why I plumped for wet batteries.

 

[TinaLes]

Good advice.
Thank you.
My MH is 2008 vehicle with a CBE charger
This can charge via the alternator or EHU.
However I don't think it does Gel charging.
I will check and would ask if anybody knows?
Don't have the manual with me as I write.
That's why I plumped for wet batteries.

Hi Jake
Our German van has a CBE charger and it was set to Gel by the manufacturer as they put a Gel leisure batt in it, so I think you will find your OK to go and set the C|BE for Gels.
Good luck.
Les

 

[Jake Royd]

Doing some Googling I have discovered that CBE chargers do do Gel.
But that is in all likelihood the latest models.
I'll have to check my actual version,...........

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[Camping Gaza]

Have you heard of traction batteries? won't do your payload much good, but loads of Ah!

As a direct replacement I would seriously consider the new lithium batteries (costly I know)

I use the cheapest batteries from Alpha battery, their own brand, I have 2x and 3 years later they are very healthy. ordinary lead acid. I think the secret is keeping them charging all year round with a float charge. (I use solar for this)

 

[Jake Royd]

Decide to go for the Exide wet battery.
A good compromise between cost and life, hopefully.
We will see how it goes, might go gel next time.
Thank you all who responded, particularly PhilandMena

 

[PhilandMena]

Have you heard of traction batteries? won't do your payload much good, but loads of Ah!

As a direct replacement I would seriously consider the new lithium batteries (costly I know)

I use the cheapest batteries from Alpha battery, their own brand, I have 2x and 3 years later they are very healthy. ordinary lead acid. I think the secret is keeping them charging all year round with a float charge. (I use solar for this)

Keeping a leisure battery or even a starter battery (their is no recognised international or national standard that defines what a leisure battery is, by the way ?), fully charged is the key to longevity. It is recommended that to get the upmost out of your leisure (starter ) battery, never let it fall below 80 % discharge. The problem users face is a crap starter battery is more than good enough if always fully charged? The trick for want of words is understanding capacity, depth of discharge and number of cycles in knowing/choosing the most appropriate battery for your individual use. (I'm talking Lead Acid here as Gel is another class of battery performance altogether). In essence, it's virtually impossible to judge how good a leisure battery is until it has been subjected to usage over time. In the very short time even a starter battery will perform well until you go off grid and after a short period of time suddenly find your low battery warning alarms are kicking off.

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[DL42846]

I run with two 110 amp GEL batteries from Alpha batteries. £200 each, guaranteed six years.

 

[ctc]

Get your new battery from someone with a high turnover, batteries left to go completely flat and then fast charged before delivery won't last or give good service. A&N suggest LDF90 Varta. I bought 3 @£70 each delivered.

 

[Richard n Ann]

I

Get your new battery from someone with a high turnover, batteries left to go completely flat and then fast charged before delivery won't last or give good service. A&N suggest LDF90 Varta. I bought 3 @£70 each delivered.

Lordy! They were cheap. Couldn't see any less than 100 quid. Just ordered an Exide Gel 80ah for £175. They seem to be liked and the German vans have them so they must be good ?

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[Lenny HB]

I

Lordy! They were cheap. Couldn't see any less than 100 quid. Just ordered an Exide Gel 80ah for £175. They seem to be liked and the German vans have them so they must be good ?

Have you changed your charger for one suitable for Gels?

 

[Richard n Ann]

Have you changed your charger for one suitable for Gels?

No I don't use the Elddis one because It's just a 13.8v power supply.
I've got a gel setting on the Votronic duo solar controller and the optimate 2 trickle charger I've got at home says it's OK for gels.
Only thing that can't be changed is the van alternator charging, but I can isolate that if needed, the solar should be plenty of charging for what we use.

 

[funflair]

I

Lordy! They were cheap. Couldn't see any less than 100 quid. Just ordered an Exide Gel 80ah for £175. They seem to be liked and the German vans have them so they must be good ?

The EXIDE G80 now called ES900 used to be standard fit on Hymers including Niesmann+Bischoff vans then they stated cutting corners, our used van came with Gel Batteries on over 7 years ago and still going strong and running the inverter as and when required, I do have plenty of solar to keep them full though.

Martin

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[Richard n Ann]

Will the alternator charging ruin them?

 

[Lenny HB]

Will the alternator charging ruin them?

No, Gels are very tolerant.
Is your mains charger a 3 stage one? Gels need a long absorption phase to charge properly, your Victron regulator gives a 4 hour absorption phase but mains chargers give 8 to 16 hours.
If you use a 2 stage charger the gels will only charge to 80%.

 

[Richard n Ann]

No, Gels are very tolerant.
Is your mains charger a 3 stage one? Gels need a long absorption phase to charge properly, your Victron regulator gives a 4 hour absorption phase but mains chargers give 8 to 16 hours.
If you use a 2 stage charger the gels will only charge to 80%.

Thanks I'll have to find out the charging profile for it, I've got an older optimate 3 too. I think they have a few stages with desulphation modes etc ?

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[funflair]

I find that the alternator doesn’t fully charge our gels but solar and MPP Votronic do a great job, we don’t plug in very often but when do it is CBE charger with Gel profile.

Martin

 

[Just smiffy]

By the way Lenny HB i found out the other day that my AGM’s could possibly be originals from 2012....??

I thought the previous owner had put them in just before i bought it but spoke to him the other day and he said they were in there when he imported the van over in 2014-15....

Must be those three victron mppt’s and battery master keeping them going...?

 

[BusyBuilder]

I swapped my Banner 110amp batteries for Exide ES950 GEL, although only 85amp, they last way way way longer than the Banners.
Bought via Tanya for £185 each delivered.

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[Lenny HB]

By the way @Lenny HB i found out the other day that my AGM’s could possibly be originals from 2012....??

You really are living on borrowed time.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Looking at the charging details it bulk charges at 0.8a up to 14.2 to 14.5 (no time limit)
Then maintenance charges at 13.6 but not continuously. How's that sound?

It does say it's for all lead acid batteries and there is a gel icon on it

https://www.optimate.co.uk/s/OptiMate-2-Instructions.pdf

 

[Lenny HB]

Looking at the charging details it bulk charges at 0.8a up to 14.2 to 14.5 (no time limit)
Then maintenance charges at 13.6 but not continuously. How's that sound?

It does say it's for all lead acid batteries and there is a gel icon on it

https://www.optimate.co.uk/s/OptiMate-2-Instructions.pdf

No good for a gel, assume you meant 8 amps. It will only charge the Gel to 80% not good for longevity.
For a Gel you need a bulk charge up to 14.2/14.3 then an absorption phase i.e. remaining at 14.2 v with current limited to about 1 amp for 8 hours then drop to maintenance of 13.8v.
Votronic & Victron do suitable chargers.

Edit:
Just looked at the spec of your charger it is just a maintenance charger doesn't have a bulk stage as such it is only 0.8 amp, it will take at least 3 days to charge your battery.
You really need a bulk charge rate of at least 18 amps.

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