Leisure batteries

 
 
 
 
 
 
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Re: Leisure batteries

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Posted: 07.06.2019  ·  #41
Quote by eirebus

About 6 weeks, their new to Halfords so I took the gamble they may be the Yuasa efb ones but no way of knowing, I just wasn't going near AGMs again


Fair enough, too soon to tell the real world performance then. The fact that they're new to Halfords supports the rebadged L36-EFB which also seems to be newly launched.


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Re: Leisure batteries

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Posted: 07.06.2019  ·  #42
The insight in this piece probably finishes off any interest I had in AGM's

http://www.aandncaravanservices.co.uk/agm-batteries.php

For shits and giggles I might just confirm the alternator output voltage and the mains charger output voltage this evening but it's looking like a choice between Varta LFD90 and Halfords HLB700, AGM's are a waste of time if they won't charge properly. The solar regulator has an AGM charge mode but the time you'll need to get the most out of the battery is when solar won't really deliver.


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Re: Leisure batteries

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Posted: 07.06.2019  ·  #43
I have 3 x Varta LFD90's - best batteries I have owned.


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Re: Leisure batteries

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Posted: 08.06.2019  ·  #44
I recently replaced 100ah Banner energy Bull with Yuasa L36 EFB.

Those banners, and from what I read most of them; require regular topping up. This caught me out early days.

The L36 EFB are fully sealed so that problem is gone. Too soon to comment on performance, and anyway I also fitted another 160W solar and an MPPT reg so hard to do a comparison to the banners.


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Re: Leisure batteries

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Posted: 08.06.2019  ·  #45
The Banners require regular topping up but still a very good battery


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Re: Leisure batteries

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Posted: 08.06.2019  ·  #46
Quote by Breeze

The Banners require regular topping up but still a very good battery


Mine were ok, but they wouldn't touch the Varta's.


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Re: Leisure batteries

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Posted: 16.08.2019  ·  #47
The Varta LFD are a good price on tayna. Im wondering if there is a disadvantage in getting a 230 amp/hr battery rather than two of 115 each?...(rather than the obvious one that if the single battery fails your scuppered until replacement. There is a cost and a space advantage as well as the advantage that there can be no weaker battery to pull the stronger one down??


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Re: Leisure batteries

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Posted: 16.08.2019  ·  #48
Bosch and Varta are made in the same factory and are the same . No 1 batteries


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Re: Leisure batteries

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Posted: 16.08.2019  ·  #49
Quote by Hymer544

The Varta LFD are a good price on tayna. Im wondering if there is a disadvantage in getting a 230 amp/hr battery rather than two of 115 each?...(rather than the obvious one that if the single battery fails your scuppered until replacement. There is a cost and a space advantage as well as the advantage that there can be no weaker battery to pull the stronger one down??


I can’t think of any disadvantage other than Will one fit in your Battery box?


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Re: Leisure batteries

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Posted: 16.08.2019  ·  #50
I wouldn't fancy trying to lift it in and eventually out of the van


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Re: Leisure batteries

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Posted: 16.08.2019  ·  #51
Apparently the more cells the better. Some folks even get 6 volt batteries purely so they can add more cells. I.E. 2 in series x2 then these blocks of two in parallel. More batteries =more cells


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Re: Leisure batteries

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Posted: 17.08.2019  ·  #52
Daffy do you know why more cells are supposed to be an advantage?


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Re: Leisure batteries

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Posted: 18.08.2019  ·  #53
Tbh, I have no proof at all that this is the case. In fact some people say that one big battery IS better. But based on what I read, it is down to cell degradation, in that, the 6 cells in a standard battery will suffer more degradation from a discharge, than say 24 cells would from 4 batteries for the same discharge. Over time this supposedly shortens the life of your single battery. Also all the points about weight, etc are valid, from my own experience of lugging batteries in and out of tight spaces


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Re: Leisure batteries

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Posted: 18.08.2019  ·  #54
Quote by Daffysparks

Apparently the more cells the better. Some folks even get 6 volt batteries purely so they can add more cells. I.E. 2 in series x2 then these blocks of two in parallel. More batteries =more cells


I might be mixing this up a bit as it was a while ago and the man that told me is well known for talking bull.

He said his father's house solar installation in France used banks of 2volt batteries.


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Re: Leisure batteries

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Posted: 18.08.2019  ·  #55
I think it is as simple as exposing the most surface area of plate for a chemical reaction to occur, therefore the more the better.


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Re: Leisure batteries

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Posted: 18.08.2019  ·  #56
Quote by Daffysparks

Apparently the more cells the better. Some folks even get 6 volt batteries purely so they can add more cells. I.E. 2 in series x2 then these blocks of two in parallel. More batteries =more cells


:-/ :-/
A lead acid battery cell is 2.1v, when charged.
A 6v battery has three cells, a 12v battery has 6. If you have a 12v system it makes no difference if you use a 12v battery (6 X 2.1v cells) or 2 X 6v batteries in series (2 X 2.1v X 2)


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Re: Leisure batteries

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Posted: 18.08.2019  ·  #57
True. Why then the 6 volt batteries doubled, very common in America 🤔🤔


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Re: Leisure batteries

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Posted: 18.08.2019  ·  #58
Quote by Daffysparks

True. Why then the 6 volt batteries doubled, very common in America 🤔🤔


True deep cycle batteries are often 6v FOR EXAMPLE
If I had the space and the cash I'd certainly consider such beasts.


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Leisure batteries

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Posted: 18.08.2019  ·  #59
When I was a wee apprentice I asked why do trucks have 2 big 6 volt batteries and the answer was the more lead the more power for longer.
A lot of years later when I bought a leisure battery for the van, I was advised to get the heaviest one I could fit in for the very same reason the more lead the better.


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Re: Leisure batteries

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Posted: 18.08.2019  ·  #60
Quote by sprinter

When I was a wee apprentice I asked why do trucks have 2 big 6 volt batteries and the answer was the more lead the more power for longer.
A lot of years later when I bought a leisure battery for the van, I was advised to get the heaviest one I could fit in for the very same reason the more lead the better.

Maybe I forgot what I read, and it was the more lead the better, not the more cells 🙄😬


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Leisure batteries

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Posted: 18.08.2019  ·  #61
Quote by Daffysparks

Quote by sprinter

When I was a wee apprentice I asked why do trucks have 2 big 6 volt batteries and the answer was the more lead the more power for longer.
A lot of years later when I bought a leisure battery for the van, I was advised to get the heaviest one I could fit in for the very same reason the more lead the better.

Maybe I forgot what I read, and it was the more lead the better, not the more cells 🙄😬


I would think that both are one in the same.


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Re: Leisure batteries

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Posted: 18.08.2019  ·  #62
On a completely separate issue Martin, hows the leg/foot


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Leisure batteries

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Posted: 18.08.2019  ·  #63
Quote by Daffysparks

On a completely separate issue Martin, hows the leg/foot


David. Its brilliant better then I expected, I'm booked in for Physio for the next month or ,don't have full movement in the ankle yet but I was in Achill for the last week and managed to walk 8k yesterday without the crutch close around the house and with around the place , very difficult to walk on the beach barefoot, but drove home today no problem ,foot up now having a glass ,listening to Martin Hayes on the rolling wave Rte1


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Re: Leisure batteries

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Posted: 18.08.2019  ·  #64
Great to hear, you’re up and about again. I’d say Susie is happy too, waiting on you hand and foot.


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Leisure batteries

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Posted: 18.08.2019  ·  #65
Quote by Daffysparks

Great to hear, you’re up and about again. I’d say Susie is happy too, waiting on you hand and foot.


Yeah, looking for Browney points for driving me for 9 weeks :o , not a mention of the previous 45 years I've been driving her or the 3hour sleep she had today on the way home . :-/ O-)


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Re: Leisure batteries

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Posted: 18.08.2019  ·  #66
Quote by sprinter

Quote by Daffysparks

Great to hear, you’re up and about again. I’d say Susie is happy too, waiting on you hand and foot.


Yeah, looking for Browney points for driving me for 9 weeks :o , not a mention of the previous 45 years I've been driving her or the 3hour sleep she had today on the way home . :-/ O-)

I’d be keeping them thoughts to me self if I were you 🤫😁


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Posted: 20.08.2019  ·  #67
I'm looking to buy an EA1000 Exide Premium Car Battery 017TE does anyone know will Tanya Batteries in the UK deliver to Ireland. great price with the exchange rate at the moment.


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Re: Leisure batteries

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Posted: 20.08.2019  ·  #68
They delivered mine Martin. Two Yuasa ones


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Re: Leisure batteries

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Posted: 20.08.2019  ·  #69
Delivered two to me a few months ago. Very well packaged and no problems. :up:


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Re: Leisure batteries

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Posted: 21.08.2019  ·  #70
I got two Jeep batteries off of them Martin but I think they charged €20 each delivery. Last year I got two leisure batteries from some Marine crowd and the Delivery was €10 ea.


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Leisure batteries

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Posted: 21.08.2019  ·  #71
The price looked good, but the carriage was about £45. with staff discount, Ben can get one in Bray cheaper than that.
and as I have a test in the morning I'm going that way. while I was checking lights etc, yesterday the voltage dropped and it was slow to crank, so I put some pressure on it and after four-start stops in a row without letting it charge it dropped down to 10.4 volts, it was fitted in 2011 so it has had a good inning.


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Re: Leisure batteries

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Posted: 21.08.2019  ·  #72
Quote by sprinter

The price looked good, but the carriage was about £45. with staff discount, Ben can get one in Bray cheaper than that.
and as I have a test in the morning I'm going that way. while I was checking lights etc, yesterday the voltage dropped and it was slow to crank, so I put some pressure on it and after four-start stops in a row without letting it charge it dropped down to 10.4 volts, it was fitted in 2011 so it has had a good inning.

I agree with you Martin, I’d go local even if it was a small bit dearer because if the Battery fails, getting a replacement is going to be grief from abroad, especially after brexit. Not to mention the cost involved.


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Re: Leisure batteries

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Posted: 13.07.2020  ·  #73
Quote by Ally

I have 3 x Varta LFD90's - best batteries I have owned.

Ally,

sorry to hijack the thread but I think it's old enough to do?

I have 2 x LFD90 just installed and I'm running a test on them. Screenshot below. They rest at 12.8V. At 42AHrs used I am at 75% DOD and I would have thought I should be at higher voltage than 12.33V, esp at 2A draw. If I turn everything off it goes to 12.42V. I have a Victron MTTP75/15 with 90W solar and even thou I think I am charging at the correct voltage perhaps I am getting voltage drop on the way to the battery and they are no getting enough charge. I've googled it extensively but can't find real world experience of voltage for these batteries


 

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Re: Leisure batteries

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Posted: 14.07.2020  ·  #74
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Re: Leisure batteries

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Posted: 14.07.2020  ·  #75
Quote by eirebus



This is actually the site that is causing me confusion. I have read pretty much every page on aandncaravanservices and they rave about the Varta and reference a table included on that page where they say the varta is closer to a Gel battery(Seal VRLA column) in terms of resting voltage. I've dropped to 12.26V after 49AHr(75% SOC) with a 1.8A draw at time of reading. I stopped the test at that stage and the voltage rests at 12.41V but given the table on the page you referenced I should be resting between 12.8 & 12.5. The table also references a conventional lead acid and that should be resting at 12.4 to 12.1 @75% SOC which is roughly where I am. This is what confuses me as I am see the results corresponding to a conventional lead acid but aandn state I should be seeing higher voltage. What I'm looking for is someone with real world experience of the Varta LFD90. Is 12.1V on the LDF 90 roughly equal to 50% SOC at 20°C


 


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Re: Leisure batteries

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Posted: 14.07.2020  ·  #76
 


Looking to upgrade this battery to an A class battery, any recommendations? thanks


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Re: Leisure batteries

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Posted: 15.07.2020  ·  #77
Quote by ggackp

 


Looking to upgrade this battery to an A class battery, any recommendations? thanks


Why and what's an A class battery ??


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Re: Leisure batteries

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Posted: 15.07.2020  ·  #78
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Quote by ggackp

 


Looking to upgrade this battery to an A class battery, any recommendations? thanks


Why and what's an A class battery ??


It's not recharging. I do a lot of wild camping and so need a really good battery with good capacity and lifecycles (A), thanks!


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Re: Leisure batteries

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Posted: 15.07.2020  ·  #79
Monbat semi traction or traction batteries, if you can get one that fits are about as good as you will get in wet cell

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Re: Leisure batteries

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Posted: 15.07.2020  ·  #80
Have look at aandncaravans.co.uk. Lots of good advice regarding leisure batteries.

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