Best buy/don't buy leisure batteries article?
I need to replace my leisure battery. There was an article in the club magazine 'recently' in which the lab checked various batteries by cutting them in half. Some were complete cons, mostly empty space. Three brands were recommended.
Yes, I know I should have cut out the page. Yes, I know every issue for the past 12 months is online at caravanclub.co.uk/news-features/club-magazine/archive/ But can I find it despite looking at the contents page of every issue three times? Can I ****!
So could some kind soul who did keep it tell me which ones were recommended or at least which issue?
Thanks in anticipation
R
Comments
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Was it this one?
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Batteries are a minefield, you cannot even rely on those approved by the NCC. It is not unknown for unscrupulous mnufacturers to put concrete in them to make them appear to contain a good quantity of lead! Like you I did not know what was best to buy but my existing battery had performed well for 8 years so I bought a replacement of the same brand, a Lucas but AGM instead of lead acid..
peedee
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There was an article about leisure batteries in the MMM in 2017 where they mentioned that in 2013, a test was carried out (and witnessed by The Caravan & Motorhome Club and others) on nine batteries, with the expected result being when the batteries were cut open three out of nine would adhere to the leisure specification.
To everyone’s amazement, including the tester, only one proved to be a legitimate leisure product.
Most were not a surprise, but two were well-known manufacturers who had used a starter battery (used for cars) and relabelled it.
The National Caravan Council (https://www.thencc.org.uk › Our_Schemes › ncc_verified_leisure_battery_...) have a chart of recommended batteries for you choose the most appropriate battery.
Hope this helps.
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No, not Which?.
If it weren't for the fact that my wife remembers reading it too, I would wonder seriously if I had dreamt it.
I remember in particular reading the point that leisure batteries are different from starter batteries in needed to give a long-lasting supply rather than an instant high-tension oomph.
I'll will drop an email to the Club technical support desk.
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Yes, it really must have been that one.
It can only be that it surfaced in some spring clean a few months ago and I never noticed the date. Far be it from me to say that one C&MC magazine is pretty indistinguishable from the ones on either side of it. A bit like caravans, really
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ditto, always use the tried and tested, have been useing Numax for years , original battery of 8 years old just replaced when i put a new mover on van, I know some would not touch Numax with a barge pole but each to their own. My old battery still being used in a caravan with no mover, still powers the basics no problem.
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I think with the advent of "movers" it has changed the requirements. You now need a more robust battery. Prior to the introduction of movers any old car battery would have done if you spent most of your nights away on hook up. This no longer seems to be the case with most opting to have a mover.
There was a lot of debate about battery quality on the MMM forum. It questioned the quality of many well known brands and standards among them the NCC's approval.
peedee.
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agree, new movers need a very robust battery, I have a new powertouch mover which stops working if the battery charge drops below something like 11.5 volts, that is the only reason why i had to install a new battery, old battery failed at a very inconvenient time. Have to say have not put new battery to much of a test, but heres hoping it will be ok
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this article from A and N caravans was almost certainly compiled by the late Allan Evans, a much respectd contributor to MMM and the like.
when i was 'messing about' with electric golf trolleys to amuse myself after retiring, my own view was that Sonneshein and Yuasa were (by a fair bit) the best (real life) performing batteries i came across.
i see these are still marketed Tanya and recommended by Allan.
the Bosch L/Varta LFD and Yuasa L36 EFB seem to have very good comments.
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Despite being from October 2010, the late much missed John Wickersham's "Power Players" IMO remains good solid advice.
https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/media/6552072/technical.pdf
A motorhome has a somewhat challenging ask, in that whilst the attributes of a leisure battery are great for providing the power, these can be in problems in that those touring off a hook up want a fast on route charge. Something that can do the better leisure batteries no favours.Maybe it is a case of not spending too much as these users are going to damage these specialist batteries? [ or spend a real fortune exploring lithium technologies as these can cope better, well some can]
Reportedly the NCC data base is from info the battery brand holders submit, not on independent testing of those claims, and we can all remember what transpired with the integrity of those claims back when John did his testing.0 -
Out of the nine makes of battery tested, Varta, Banner, and Exide were the ones that came up to specification. Have just found out that AGM batteries need a compatible charger by the way. Not every charger is suitable. The wrong one could cause damage to battery, the charger or the alternator on your motorhome or towing vehicle. Something to check out before buying your battery.
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...its also worth noting that the same alternator/charger/solar controller may well be asked to charge a lead acid cab battery and AGM/lead acid/Gel leisure batteries....
this is 'tricky' as the charger can only be set to one 'regime'...
sometimes this results in a compromise situation...
Gel setting might be perfect for your leisure batteries but for your cab battery?
lead acid great for the cab battery but for your leisure AGMs?
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Those who use the MMM Out and about motorhome forum can read about/may have followed the story by the late and greatly lamented Alan Evans concerning Leisure batteries and his one man crusade which he conducted despite being terminally ill. Essentially Alan was saying that some mainstream manufacturers make false claims and some certification is inaccurate and technically unsound. I put it no more strongly than that here but the phrase "industry complicity" comes to mind.
Alan was a terrific bloke with considerable knowledge which he shared freely (for example helping me specify and configure a solar controller upgrade) work which he was no longer able to do but happy to advise on.
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Hi - as a newbie (Ace Siena) and about to post about some problems with the control panel, the solar panel and the leisure battery I started looking for replacements in case the answer turns out to be a new battery. This article was quite informative in that respect
https://www.hortoncommon.co.uk/best-caravan-leisure-batteries/0 -
Very interesting reading Tdub, thanks for that.
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