Changing Leisure Batteries

I seem to have two leisure batteries, one each under the driver and passenger seats but do not seem to be lasting very long.

Fully charged according the the board (from EHU). Unplugged EHU, put the internal lights on, run the taps so the pump comes on and within 10-15 minutes the red led appears showing below 10.8v. I'm guessing it's time to change them.

The charger is a Calira EVS "30/18" DS which I guess is pretty old which states 90-180 Ah. Does this mean I cannot put batteries in larger than 180 Ah, so 2 x 115 Ah batteries would be too much?

Also what's the quality like of the Halfords batteries? Their 115 Ah batteries are €126 each.

Same as I find Halfords 115ah very good

Yes I'll have to get all the measurements together and make sure it fits.

I have been running a Halfords 115Ah for a year now, no problems. I do keep it topped up on solar. I have checked the electrolyte recently with a hygrometer (the only true test of state of charge) and it is sitting in the sweet spot. The real proof of the pudding is 3 or 4 years down the line of coarse.

If your charger is a true multistage charger and not a Zig type power supply, that’s a good start. But if it is rated for only 180Ah and you are trying to charge 230Ah, then I do believe you will never receive a full charge and that will shorten the lifespan of your batteries. The charger will just not be capable of keeping your batteries in the absorption stage for long enough.

If your voltage is dipping below 11 volts like that, it looks like the damage is already done. However, I would first try and run a full charge on each battery independently. Keep one battery connected at a time with a 24 hour charge going. Disconnect the battery under test and let sit for 24hours. Then test the battery open circuit voltage. If it is not sitting at 12.7 it is not fully charged. If it is sitting below 11 there is likely a dead cell. It is worth doing this for both. Perhaps you still have one good battery.

With that charger, I would keep just one battery in circuit if you can determine you have a good battery. Undercharging will shorten lifespan just as overcharging will. Otherwise if you want to run 2 115aH you should upgrade your charger.

You have me worried now John, We have the same charger and I replaced our two Batteries lately and bought the same brand again as they were in the van six years and never missed a beat in that time (Numax), I did notice the ones I took out were 90A and the new ones were 100A though.

I am speaking from experience Pat as mine blew in the Knaus, a&n caravans did the repair and it was roughly £350 for an exchange unit. The info re the charger came from them

I can't see that a link has appeared on here to this website

http://www.aandncaravanservice…change.php

Allan of aandncaravan is challenging the veracity of the NCC Verified Battery Scheme. Anyone considering changing leisure batteries may wish to be aware of the contents. I should be mentioned that, this month, MMM magazine appear to be pushing the NCC Scheme .........