Banner batteries,..Are they any good?...
Looking to replace the battery in our Eriba, usually for infrequent off hook-up trips,..powers interior LED lights, water pump, Avtex TV,...and not much else.
Our 110AH (can't remember the name) failed after 5 years of what I would call, light use,...was topped up by a C-Tek 5.0 charger when on Hook-up.
Looking at a Banner Energy Bull 110, but have heard some horror stories about them.
Any Comments?,.....
Comments
-
Banner generally have a very good reputation. But you really should consider buying an AGM or Gel battery because I am guessing that your battery is under a seat. Wet batteries can evolve hydrogen and be a potential risk. Ho much of a risk? I don't know but a risk.
0 -
My experience with their Energy Bull leisure batteries has been very positive, but they are not a sealed battery so need user maintenance to keep an eye on "water" level. So if you are into fit and forget they are not best suited.
It is one area where I will not buy from caravan dealers only specialist battery suppliers.
Lifting them will sort out the better ones, if they both claim the same capacity and the weights are different it is the one with the extra lead that IMO is the "better".
You need to buy the battery for the duty you want it for, not buy a characteristic you don't need. The NCC has made IMO a decent job of guidance on selection with its classes and verification scheme.
http://www.thencc.org.uk/our_schemes/ncc_verified_leisure_battery_scheme.aspx
0 -
I bought two Banner Leisure batteries about three years ago and they have been okay with no problems.
But, there's always a but, you do need to keep an eye on the water level as they do use a fair bit of water despite being sold as a no-maintenance.battery.
Earlier this year the starter battery needed replacing, my fault, and I bought a Yuasa battery from Halfords.
It was more expensive than the Banner but it has a five year no-quibble guarantee and I reasoned that if there was a problem it would be replaced without any problem - unlike the Banner.
Also the Yuasa battery is a genuine no maintenance battery so will need minimal attention.
We don't use hook-up when away on holiday so the batteries can have quite a hard life but the Banner has been okay and I would recommend them - but there are cheaper options and I suppose it depends on how you want to spend your money.
0 -
I fully concur with Boff's reply, not only with his comment regarding Banner, but also with his recommendation to choose an AGM or gel battery. For many years now I have bought nothing but Banner batteries as replacements for both car and caravan.
0 -
The schaudt Electroblock fitted to Eriba's/Hymer's have switch that selects either Gel or flooded batteries or least they did in 2015. They used to fit Gel batteries and now fit AGM batteries. It is not particular clear which one should be used. However my solar panel controller can also select for flooded and sealed batteries. I queried with Banner which charging profile I should use for an AGM battery. They told me to use the flooded profile, which wasn't necessarily the answer I expected.
0 -
I have two of these Banner Running Bull 92ah batteries and they have served me very well for four years....still doing a great job.
DD is correct about the charging profile (Banner suggested I use the gel setting on my charger) but many of us use solar regulators to maintain batteries and they (generally) won't charge gel batteries fully as they are geared for flooded...
anyway....if you have a flooded cab battery and gel (or AGM) leisure batteries, how does the EHU charger or solar regular.ator or, indeed, the vehicle alternator, run two different profiles for different combinations.
perhaps it's time to go back to flooded leisure batteries and the latest forum received wisdom is that Varta has been the recent top dog with the latest Yuasa now being flavour of the month....
0 -
I didn’t realise that you could still buy flooded leisure batteries but in theory they need boost charging at a higher voltage than sealed batteries which are limited to around 14.4 volts so a universal caravan charger wouldn’t do the job. Flooded batteries vent Hydrogen so need to be in an outside or sealed container with a vent to the outside.
From reviews that I have read, Varna seems a good choice but there is a lot to be said for replacling like with like as the charger will be correct.
0 -
hitch, perhaps I shouldn't have used the term flooded, I meant typical lead acid maint or maint-free 'traditional' versions.....
sorry, can't think how else to it it....
however, the issue remains, getting a charging source (alternator, solar, mains charger) to cope with multiple profiles....
0 -
If weight has something to do with it then 'Banner' batteries are spot on. In France last year I had reason to buy a new battery, the new 'Banner' was a struggle to to lift into the battery tray compared to the original non descript one that came with the caravan.
0 -
Yes, there are a lot of “wet” batteries that are maintenance free, sealed, and have valve regulation in case of overcharging. Then there are Gel, AGM and so on. A bit of a nightmare with different charging regimes.
The Banner batteries mentioned in this thread appear to be wet, open vented and requiring top-up. These are the old fashioned type batteries that need to be in an outside locker and be boost charged to 14.7 volts plus. Portable chargers used to have a switch between standard and sealed.
I thought that I knew a bit about batteries but nowadays there are so many different types it is difficult to give definitive advice.
0 -
that's good to know, DD.....carry on packing
0 -
mine are Running Bull AGM non maintenance, not Energy Bull mentioned in the OP.
0 -
Strange BB when you look at the description it says car starter battery!! We have Banner AGM batteries factory fitted and all seem OK so far 2.5 years in.
DESCRIPTION
Running Bull AGM Type BatteryCar Starter Battery
Battery Dimensions
354mm x 175mm x 190mm (LxWxH)
Battery Power Ratings
92Ah
850CCA
0
