Leisure Battery

DavidKlyne
DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,856 ✭✭✭
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edited February 2023 in Motorhomes #1

My Bailey motorhome was supplied with a Banner 85AH wet cell battery. I have found it far from maintenance free, or even low maintenance come to that, and would like to replace it with a larger capacity AGM battery. There is a CL nearby that we would like to use which does not have EHU so I would be more comfortable with a bit more power in reserve. As far as I can understand from the handbook an AGM battery should not be an issue as far as the main charger is concerned but it may be necessary to adjust the settings on the solar panel controller. Has anyone else changed battery type  and if so did you encounter any issues?

David

Comments

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,383
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    edited February 2023 #2

     I switched from a sealed lead acid to an AGM 2 to 3 years ago. I did alter the settings on the battery charger but couldn't on my solar charger. Given the solar charger won't charge at max for most of the time, I thought it worth ignoring. Likewise I have no means of setting the alternator output. So far I have not noticed any problems.

    peedee

  • Unknown
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    edited February 2023 #3
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  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
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    edited February 2023 #4

    I've got an 82AH Exide gel sitting in my garage having replaced it with lithiums. Gels can be run a bit lower than Lead Acids without durability issues. It still holds its charge well, so if you are interested drop me an Email - details in my profile.

  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
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    edited February 2023 #5

    LifePO4’s-best on the market right now. Others are coming to the market that will be better in time but right now they are the best👍🏻

  • Unknown
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    edited February 2023 #6
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  • QFour
    QFour Forum Participant Posts: 442
    edited February 2023 #7

    Just fit a lithium battery. Twice the amps available in the same sized box and less than half the weight and its a direct swap so no need to change anything or buy any extra kit. Website has loads of info. KS Energy

  • Unknown
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    edited February 2023 #8
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  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,383
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    edited February 2023 #9

    The only reason I did not go to Lithium when I changed to AGM was because too many things required changing to accommodate a Lithium battery, notably my 240v battery charger.

    peedee

  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
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    edited February 2023 #10

    Look it up DD-a tablet will get you the info👍🏻. I’m not a battery techie I’m a consumer👍🏻. “Excuse me, what is the best leisure battery for this set up please”, “hello sir, this one will give you max hours with your set up & the life of a Lifepo4 battery just goes on”, “thanks when can you fit it?”. That is how I get kit🤷🏻‍♂️. 

  • peedee
    peedee Club Member Posts: 9,383
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    edited February 2023 #11

    Interesting site QFour, while it says just to set your battery charger to the nearest setting for a lithium battery, I am not sure I fancy the idea of connecting several hundreds pounds of battery up to a charger not designed for charging lithium. If you are going to spend the kind of money they cost and get the best out of them, I am of the opinion the charging system should exactly match the batterys' requirements.

    peedee

  • Unknown
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    edited February 2023 #12
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    edited February 2023 #13
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  • Unknown
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    edited February 2023 #14
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  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
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    edited February 2023 #15

    Thank you👍🏻😊

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,856 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2023 #16

    Thank you all for your comments and advice. Some interesting things have been said. It's unlikely that I will spend much time "off grid" but I felt not only did I want a sealed no maintenance battery but I also wanted a bit more reserve than I felt the original battery would have. In the end I went for a 100AH AGM battery from Tayna. Ordered at 3.45pm yesterday and delivered today before we got back from our shopping trip at 1.00pm, so less than 24 hours! Coincidentally, had a phone call from our dealer this afternoon to confirm our service booking and they will fit the battery and make any adjustments needed which will save me the bother.

    David

  • Unknown
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    edited February 2023 #17
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  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,856 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2023 #18

    DD

    This was the one I purchased "Platinum AGM Plus Leisure Battery 12V 100Ah AGMLB6110L" It seemed to have good reviews although perhaps one should be cautious about such reviews as I imagine it takes a bit longer than a few days after delivery to get the measure of how good such a product is?

    David

  • Nancemellan
    Nancemellan Forum Participant Posts: 1
    edited February 2023 #19

    We drive a 2006 Autocruise Stardream fitted with an Eberspacher heating system. It has always been temperamental. Visits to maintenance engineers always end up with advice that the leisure battery is at fault but however many new batteries I fit the problems persist. I’ve asked for advice on which make of battery to fit but always problems. However, latterly I have discovered that batteries come in different “classes” A, B & C. I fitted an A Class battery and Hey Presto everything works as it should. Nobody tells you about the one thing that makes the difference. Fit an A Class battery!! 

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,856 ✭✭✭
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    edited February 2023 #20

    I am pretty sure the NCC battery classification system is relatively new? https://www.thencc.org.uk/our_schemes/ncc_verified_leisure_battery_scheme.aspx As you say if you intend to have quite a demand on your battery it needs to be an A class.

    David