Batteries

Gundog · Guru

Batteries

The Doo crew · Senior Member

Got offered similar battery's that were destined for a UPS system at the RAAF base. I believe some were fitted before they decided to upgrade to a bigger system. Had the choice of many with quite a few a little low on voltage. Same deal 3 month warranty.
Long story short I purchased 8 & put them on a switch-mode charging system to charge & check them, end result was 100% pass rate for them all.
4 were fitted in my old motorhome as the house power & as far as im aware are still going strong after 6 years.
The remaining 4 run a 5kva UPS at home as we have many power outages in wet season, keeps everything but the air-cons running until I can fire up the generator.
Very little work for them most of the time until the power drops, then they earn there keep, have heard from those locals "off grid" of quite outstanding battery life if you look after them.

Cruising Cruze · Guru

can you give a link where to get them maybe Graham

Cheers John

Plendo · Guru

Here is the link.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/12V-100-Ah-AGM-LEISURE-BATTERY-CARAVAN-CAMPING-SOLAR-MARINE-4X4-/271855143018?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item3f4bd4486a

Cruising Cruze · Guru

Thanks David

Cheers John

PeterD · Guru

I don't like the idea of no charge for 12 months. The other thing is it was designed to be used in standby operation. I would prefer a battery that has been designed for cyclic operation as that's how batteries in our vans are operated. That makes two strikes against it in my books.

Phil C · Guru

PeterD wrote:
I don't like the idea of no charge for 12 months. The other thing is it was designed to be used in standby operation. I would prefer a battery that has been designed for cyclic operation as that's how batteries in our vans are operated. That makes two strikes against it in my books.

I'm afraid I agree with PeterD. 12 months is a long time for a battery such as you speak of to sit idle.

Cheers

greyhoundtom · Senior Member

While the discussion is on batteries I have a decision to make that I could do with a bit of advice on.

I'm due to pick up what is for me a new caravan and intent to do the big lap. The van is five year old and just has the one in house battery.

Because of wanting to do a bit of free camping if and when convenient I was going to fit one additional battery, but then if connected to the existing one there is a chance that if the existing battery is of less than optimum condition it's just going to drag the performance of my new one down as well. A bit like having one crook cell in your car battery.

So for that reason I'm inclined to bite the bullet and buy two new batteries unless someone can tell me what I need to do to make certain the existing battery is up to standard.

Cheers, Tom

-- Edited by greyhoundtom on Thursday 25th of June 2015 12:34:51 PM

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

greyhoundtom wrote:

So for that reason I'm inclined to bite the bullet and buy two new batteries unless someone can tell me what I need to do to make certain the existing battery is up to standard.

Tom, it is a bit difficult to reliably test the condition of a deep cycle battery without doing a long discharge test using a known load to establish what actual capacity the battery has left.

On the basis that it is already 5 years old, it is likely to be well into its life, assuming that it has been well looked after during that 5 years.

I would be strongly inclined to buy a new pair. You have a much better chance of having them balanced and getting reliable service that way. Battery failure on the road can be time consuming and expensive. Better to shop around and get a good deal before you go.

Cheers,

Peter

greyhoundtom · Senior Member

Thanks Peter you have helped me make up my mind!

Two fresh batteries it is.

Cheers,
Tom

PeterD · Guru

Tom, if the fridge is an absorption fridge you will not be able to run it off your batteries. In that case you should get away with one battery. I have only had one 110 Ah battery fitted in my vans over the last 18 years and have not been wanting. What are you proposing to use that would require the extra power? Remember another battery will take an additional 35 kg from your load allowance.

greyhoundtom · Senior Member

Hi Peter, thanks for your reply and I'm sorry for my belated response.

My main reason for going to the extra battery was because of the concern that when camping without power at a time when opportunities for recharging the batteries for various reasons were limited I would run out of power for some of the items that are essential to me, such as my coffee capsules machine and the intermittent use of the microwave. While my wife still likes to watch a few shows on TV on a regular basis, and the way that we are currently set up all of that stuff will require 230 volt.

In the main the batteries would only receive a charge while traveling via the vehicle alternator, and while the van was plugged into a CP power supply as at this time solar panels are not on the agenda.

yes weight is a real worry but if I have to I will ditch the 100 amp hour existing battery as I have the opportunity to pick up a 140 amp hour battery at a real good price. I only wish I was in a position to go to lithium and solar but that is also out of our reach at this time.

cheers, Tom