Battery advice

0026442140
0026442140 Forum Participant Posts: 71
edited January 2017 in Caravans #1

Hi I would like some advice on my leisure battery fitted to our lunar quasar 2012, went to get battery from van (for recharging) and found what appeared to be water in battery box but I suspect this is acid from battery, The info I want is this. When connected to mains on site doe's the charger just keep on going even if battery is fully charged or is there a cut off? , The battery is approx. 5 years old, I am purchasing another battery that is maintenance free i.e. no holes to top up , are these a good idea. We always use hook ups but need power for motor mover , pump etc

any advice very welcome

davmar

Comments

  • MDD10
    MDD10 Forum Participant Posts: 335
    edited January 2017 #2

    The charger on the van should be an intelligent charger that cuts out if required or delivers a low trickle charge

  • Sandgroper
    Sandgroper Forum Participant Posts: 210
    edited January 2017 #3

    I have bought in the past, and am going to buy again, the sealed 'marine' battery (Lucas XV Supreme LX27MF). My old battery is still working but its output is not as high as before and as I use a mover it seems sensible to change now! My battery is also 5 years old so seems about the 'life'.

    BTW the above battery is on the 'B' list of NCC Verified Scheme as 95Ah with 220 life cycles. I did consider the size up which is rated at 105Ah but it looks too tall to fit my Bailey battery box.

    If anyone has an XV Supreme LX31MF fitted into  Bailey 2010 Olympus box I would be obliged to hear that it fits!!!!

  • ocsid
    ocsid Forum Participant Posts: 1,395
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2017 #4

    I agree it's "should" be an intelligent charger, but it is important to know if Lunar actually were fitting these to the 2012 Quasar vans?

    If not then then the battery will very quickly be damaged by leaving the van on an EHU with the charger enabled. I would also in that case lean towards fitting a battery that can be kept topped up with water such as the Banner Energy Bull was one of the few better ones retaining that feature. A fully sealed one would place greater difficulties on its gas reabsorbtion abilities as even in normal use a crude charger will be overcharging it.

    If the fitted charger is an intelligent type, then a sealed battery is one less maintenance job, and more readily available from the quality makers.

  • dmiller555
    dmiller555 Forum Participant Posts: 717
    500 Comments
    edited January 2017 #5

    I have a 2010 Lunar and I haven't experienced any battery problems when on an EHU.

  • 0026442140
    0026442140 Forum Participant Posts: 71
    edited January 2017 #6

    I have bought new 110amp battery and will take old one to recycle centre, will a mixture of bi-carb and water get rid of acid remains in plastic battery carrier ?. I suspect the case is cracked due to vibration.

    many thanks for all your helpful repliessmile

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2017 #7

    Depending  on the  type of battery you're  getting rid of, your local scrap metal place  (nor car scrap yard) will maybe give you a few quid for it laughing

  • Wildwood
    Wildwood Club Member Posts: 3,585 ✭
    1000 Comments 250 Likes Photogenic
    edited January 2017 #8

    Leisure batteries are graded A,B and C according to intended use.Dealers will give you the choice but you need the top grade in theory for a mover. I opted for the basic one though as I use the mover only from time to time but unless you have a very light caravan 110 amps are needed.

  • ocsid
    ocsid Forum Participant Posts: 1,395
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2017 #9

    NCC Verified Class A batteries are selected for those who caravan off EHU, not primarily those needing a mover.

    For those that rarely camp off EHU though need a mover the NCC suggest their Class B batteries, This offers a lower cost route for those not needing to buy into the expense of an "A" class battery. 

    http://www.thencc.org.uk/our_schemes/ncc_verified_leisure_battery_scheme.aspx

    Movers don't "need" large capacity batteries as in real terms they don't consume large amounts of power. I have used a 90 AH battery with my 1900 kgs caravan since 2008, the same one. The ability to provide the amps is key, not the Ahs.

    It is generally true that a sick high capacity battery will drive a mover better than an equally sick smaller capacity battery, as a critical voltage drop will not be encountered quite so readily. 

  • xtrailman
    xtrailman Forum Participant Posts: 559
    edited January 2017 #10

    If you look on caravanmoversonline they list the various battery capacities for each mover.

  • xtrailman
    xtrailman Forum Participant Posts: 559
    edited January 2017 #11

    The standard lunar charger will be fine if working normally.

    But it should never boil the battery, so if you battery case hasn't leaked i would check that the output volts is correct from the charger.

    Its also possible that the battery had developed a shorted cell, in which case the charger, any charger, would boil the battery.

  • Merve
    Merve Forum Participant Posts: 2,333
    1000 Comments
    edited January 2017 #12

    Some good advice here. I always buy the best battery I can- it pays in the end even if it can be twice the price of the generic ubiquitous  caravan battery. I second Ocsid in a Banner Bull. Really good writeups on them. Being non EHU, A graded batteries for me every time 

  • expc
    expc Forum Participant Posts: 15
    edited March 2017 #13

    My query is will the battery charge whilst being towed?

    I have a 2016 Bailey Pegasus and my tow car is fitted with a 13 pin socket.

  • EmilysDad
    EmilysDad Forum Participant Posts: 8,973
    1000 Comments
    edited March 2017 #14

    It will if the relevent pins in the 13 pin socket on the car wired up wink

  • TonyBurton
    TonyBurton Forum Participant Posts: 269
    edited March 2017 #15

    There is a whole load of problems coming to light with battery charging and fridge operation. These relate to Euro 5 & 6 diesel engines with regenerative braking, typical on a modern SUV. They tend to only give a decent charge voltage when you are slowing down. So, yes your battery should charge, but it may not be very efficient.

     

  • TonyBurton
    TonyBurton Forum Participant Posts: 269
    edited March 2017 #16

    I too had this problem on my Lunar Quasar. I think the type of battery is chosen by the dealer, not Lunar. I too had acid in the bottom of the battery box. It was seeping out of the join between the lid and the side of the battery. My dealer changed the battery under warranty.

     

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,152 ✭✭✭
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    edited March 2017 #17

    I've no doubt a dealer will fit the cheapest battery he can in order to maximise profit.

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