Some help please with battery questions

Griffalo · Post by **Griffalo** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 5:14 pm

Hi

I have two questions on batteries.

1. What is the best leisure battery to purchase? . Is there a best size (not physical size but amp/h) and make to buy or is there a cheaper option that is recommended - what would these be, how much and suggested retail options? I have already fitted a willinton tray by the way.

2. Is a maintenance free / sealed battery better than one you have to 'top up'. I bought one from batmanuk which is going back under warranty as it is defective (it worked for 1 day!) - this is one you have to top up and I want to know if I should get one that is sealed.

That sounds like more than 2 questions but hopefully someone can offer advice.

Thanks

Darryl

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 5:18 pm

Q.2 interests me too - I'll wait and see what people say.

Willinton designed his tray for the Numax 110Ah battery and so that's what I bought when I needed one to go in the tray I'd bought from him. Its such a tiht space I didn't want to risk another make not fitting, but I beliee others have since done so without problems. Wait and see who replies!

bigdaddycain · Post by **bigdaddycain** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 5:23 pm

The bosche 110a/h monster leisure battery fits too, they are £62 from costco.

moonshine · Post by **moonshine** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 5:51 pm

Hi Darryl,

1. The best leisure battery is the biggest that will fit in the tray, which I believe will just take 110ah. I usually go to Bush Batteries in Enfield, as they have always given me a good deal in the past, but it depends of course on where you live.

2. I would buy whichever was cheapest. As far as I know, there is no advantage electrically with sealed types (or unsealed types), so it depends whether the very occasional topping up bothers you.

trevd01 · Post by **trevd01** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 7:14 pm

There are a number of different types of leisure batteries.

The gel type are very popular in motorhome circles these days -fitted as OE by most manufacturers. A gel battery is a valve regulated lead-acid battery with a gelified electrolyte.

There are also AGM batteries. The Absorbent Glass Mat type is a lead-acid battery in which the electrolyte is absorbed into a fiberglass mat.

These Elecsol carbon fibre ones claim to have really good discharge / recharge characteristics and can also start an engine (which I understand you shouldn't do with a normal leisure battery).

http://www.unlimited-power.co.uk/deep_c ... ecsol.html

raystoke · Post by **raystoke** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 10:26 pm

hi folks,
talking of batteries i have had a leisure battery fitted with a splitter which sends a trickle charge into both main battery and leisure battery.But i`m not sure if the leisure battery is still charging because my radio, which runs via the lsure battery has stopped working.And the interior lights also leisure battery are not too bright.Will have to get my test thingy on it and see what the reading is.

Griffalo · Post by **Griffalo** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 11:25 pm

Thanks for the replies.

I like the look (but not the price) of the carbon fibre ones - very useful if your main battery goes flat but hopefully it won't if you have a leisure bat fitted!! The gel ones seem expensive too.

It looks like the cost will be around the £60 - £90 mark for a LB and no preference on make, sealed or one you have to top up - I assume then one is as good as the next (as long as it fits).

Cheers

Darryl

p.s. - I should have said that the faulty battery was a main starter battery and not a LB

raystoke · Post by **raystoke** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 9:45 pm

I managed to fix my battery not charging thing after all. It was the in-line fuse that had come loose just tightened it up then put some gaffer tape round it so it would not come loose again and hey presto full charged leisure battery

mikeonb4c · Post by **mikeonb4c** » Sun Dec 16, 2007 11:25 pm

Good to hear you tracked it down to something so simple raystoke