New leisure batteries.

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PaulH
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New leisure batteries.

 ·  Posted: 11.04.2023  ·  #1
Hi all, time to get 2 new leisure batteries, the last ones lasted 4 years, not too bad, they were 100ah, wet batteries. Looking at going for 110/120ah this time. However, I was going to try AGM or Gel, they seem to be a better way forward, faster charging and longer life. My confusion is that, as I research, I see many saying you must have a particular charger for AGM or Gel. I believe, but I'm not sure, that, as my RV is 2015, it has a 'smart' charger that adapts to the type of battery, how important is this ? Also, does my solar set-up have to be different for a different type of battery and how important is it ??
Loads of conflicting info on the net....
Thanks for any advice.
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Re: New leisure batteries.

 ·  Posted: 11.04.2023  ·  #2
My understanding is that AGM batteries require 14.6-14.8V to fully charge them. Anything less will not charge them fully.
Gel batteries require 14.1-14.3V.
Lead acid 13.8-14.1.

Most chargers will charge lead acid & gel, but you need to check if it has the extra capacity for AGM.

My 2019 van was not suitable for AGM, therefore I opted for gel deep cycle, so that at least if they went low, they would come back to a fully charged state.

Hope this helps.
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Re: New leisure batteries.

 ·  Posted: 11.04.2023  ·  #3
Yes, pretty much as I read, my issue is the different settings on chargers/solar. I'm waiting for someone to get back to me with knowledge of American chargers ,maybe I'll just stick with, as before, Leoch lead acid, the last ones did OK at 4+ years.
Thanks.
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Re: New leisure batteries.

 ·  Posted: 11.04.2023  ·  #4
Find out what the make and model of your charger is and Google for info on it , most MH chargers are not suitable for AGM Batteries, there's no issues with your solar although for best charge you should have an MPPT solar controller
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Re: New leisure batteries.

 ·  Posted: 11.04.2023  ·  #5
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New leisure batteries.

 ·  Posted: 11.04.2023  ·  #6
Quote by Ally

Buy lithium.

forum/topic.php?t=24401


Presumably you are not going to replace the RV in the near future, so why not do the full upgrade to Lithium, but you're still going to have to find out what output your charging system is capable of.
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Re: New leisure batteries.

 ·  Posted: 11.04.2023  ·  #7
Any charging source should be ok provided it has an output in the 14.0V-14.6V range. A good BMS (Battery Management System) will look after the cells.
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Re: New leisure batteries.

 ·  Posted: 11.04.2023  ·  #8
Thanks for the info people, still undecided, awaiting more info from a Thor owners group.
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Re: New leisure batteries.

 ·  Posted: 11.04.2023  ·  #9
Look at EFB (Enhanced Flood Batteries) which are cheaper and less sensitive to optimal charging voltages than AGM, they've also supplanted AGM in an awful lot of cars with stop/start tech. We've been using the Halfords HLB700 which is an EFB for a few years now and would recommend, I know a few others on here are also using them. There's an ongoing 20% discount with AxaPlus in the ROI anyway so they cost about €115 a pop net of discount which makes them excellent value.
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Re: New leisure batteries.

 ·  Posted: 12.04.2023  ·  #10
Check out Alpha Batteries they have a deep cycle carbon lead acid battery which allows you to use 80%. Theres 2 types flooded & agm
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Re: New leisure batteries.

 ·  Posted: 12.04.2023  ·  #11
Yes, I checked them and rang, and I had a good conversation with one of their staff.
Upshot is, I went for 2 x 120ah deep cycle carbon, lead acid batteries. The tech reckoned that with the settup I have and the use it gets, they were the best option.
Hopefully, they'll be here soon, I'm hoping for good things with 40ah more than the last set.
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Re: New leisure batteries.

 ·  Posted: 26.04.2023  ·  #12
Hi All. I was wondering can you connect a Halfords 12 volt battery with a different type of 12 volt battery thanks
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Re: New leisure batteries.

 ·  Posted: 26.04.2023  ·  #13
Quote by Catherine and stuart

Hi All. I was wondering can you connect a Halfords 12 volt battery with a different type of 12 volt battery thanks


You can, but not recommended. They are best if the batteries are the same and the same age.
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Re: New leisure batteries.

 ·  Posted: 26.04.2023  ·  #14
Not recommended, the new battery will be doing most of the work and taking most of the charging, while the older battery will quickly die and become scrap
If you want a two battery setup wait until the one you have dies a natural death, then buy two exactly the same from the same batch
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