Reccommendations for a new leisure battery!

vbfg
vbfg Forum Participant Posts: 504
100 Comments
edited July 2018 in Motorhomes #1

My Leisure battery has given up the ghost!  What size or brand do members recommend? 

 

Comments

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,387 ✭✭✭
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    edited July 2018 #2

    There have been several posts on this subject, >here is one<. In one recent thread I recommended as long as it was NCC approved it should be ok but if you have seen the recent posts about this scheme on other forums, I now hesitate to recommend going down this route. I think the best advice is if you have been happy with the performance with the one you have, replace it with an identical one. On the other hand if you always use EHU don't waste money on an expensive battery.

    peedee

  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
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    edited July 2018 #3

    Agree with peedee but if you want to delve really deeply into the subject I recommend the blogs on aandncaravanservices.co.uk which was a link provided by [Deleted User User] on a different thread. Don’t spend a lot of money unless you are going to be extensively off of EHU and use a lot of power, particularly in winter.

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited July 2018 #4
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  • lornalou1
    lornalou1 Forum Participant Posts: 2,169
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    edited July 2018 #5

    if you store the van away from home and use a solar panel then a decent battery I think is worth the bit extra.

  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
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    edited July 2018 #6

    You need to match the battery to your charging unit. Is your old battery a 'gel' battery?  Many continental motorhomes  use this type. The battery type may be selectable on your unit. Why not consult your local tyres and batteries man - he'll get you what you need.

  • Unknown
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    edited July 2018 #7
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  • tigerfish
    tigerfish Forum Participant Posts: 1,362
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    edited July 2018 #8

    Over the years I have tried several different batteries, although of course I am a caravaner as opposed to a motor homer so my comments might not be valid.

    I have always used a 110AH Leisure battery, and the best I have had has been a "banner Red Bull"  battery.  Not the cheapest but not the dearest either.  Sealed, so no requirement to  constantly top up and keeps its charge a long time on those rare occasions I am not on an EHU.  The battery is now about 4 years old and no sign of ageing detected.  It is described as a Leisure battery but as i have already said I am unaware whether MH's require a different leisure battery to a caravan.

     

    TF

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited July 2018 #9
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  • hitchglitch
    hitchglitch Forum Participant Posts: 3,007
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    edited July 2018 #10

    Many caravans have a motor mover and 110 Ahr batteries are recommended for that application due to the very heavy current drawn by the mover. As has been said several times above, the leisure battery required for a motorhome will depend on how the vehicle is used i.e. whether permanently on EHU or off grid.

  • Unknown
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    edited July 2018 #11
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  • tigerfish
    tigerfish Forum Participant Posts: 1,362
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    edited July 2018 #12

    DD, I respect your more recent advice, What do you recommend if not Banner?  There are so many batteries available now, but no real recommendations built on experience!

    TF 

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited July 2018 #13
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  • tigerfish
    tigerfish Forum Participant Posts: 1,362
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    edited July 2018 #14

    Thanks DD, As I said earlier my banner Red Bull is working fine but must be approaching 5 years old. Its kept on constant charge even when in storage but you never know.  I must have 110AH because of the drain by the motor mover.

    TF

  • chasncath
    chasncath Forum Participant Posts: 1,659
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    edited July 2018 #15

    Several years ago our Exide Gel battery gave up the ghost. I was quoted over £300 plus £60 fitting fee by a motorhome dealer. I phoned a local battery specialist ( marine and auto) and asked for a quote for a direct replacement. He called me back an hour later with a quote for a similar gel battery made by an Exide subsidiary. Half the price and a week to deliver!

    p.s As the OP is a motorhomer asking about motorhome batteries, I don't suppose talk of motor movers is of any relevance in this thread.undecided

  • Unknown
    Unknown Forum Participant
    edited July 2018 #16
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