No such thing as a leisure battery

 
 
 
 
 
 
Ally
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No such thing as a leisure battery

 ·  Posted: 28.11.2013  ·  #1
We have all heard this topics title from time to time, but lately it seems to be gathering steam.

It's been suggested in quite a few places and it's one I have heard for a long time now that 2 x 6 volt batteries would be better than 2 x 12 volt, obviously with the 6 volt wired to make 12 volt.

It seems traction batteries are the best as they actually have a deep cycle unlike so called leisure batteries. Traction batteries and being 6 volt makes them more expensive but we would only need one.

I plan on changing to 2 x 240 ah 6 volt traction batteries, from 2 x 110 ah 12 volt leisure batteries.

Anyone done this? anyone doing this?

Trojan seems to be a great traction battery make - some HERE

Something like this one perhaps "
6 Volt Leoch (TROJAN) T125 240 AH Traction Battery Ultra Deep Cycle, Industrial, Solar and Marine Battery"
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Re: No such thing as a leisure battery

 ·  Posted: 28.11.2013  ·  #2
Haven't tried it and could't advise one way or the other but I am very interested in hearing how you get on, or indeed in the views of others :-)
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Re: No such thing as a leisure battery

 ·  Posted: 28.11.2013  ·  #3
Never heard of a traction Battery, What is it usually fitted to?
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Re: No such thing as a leisure battery

 ·  Posted: 28.11.2013  ·  #4
I think that is what they use in golf carts Pat.
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Re: No such thing as a leisure battery

 ·  Posted: 28.11.2013  ·  #5
Would the greater expense be justified?
I paid £54 ( trade price) for a12v battery last week. It has a 3year guarantee.
You would need to get a long time out of 2x6v to make it worth while.
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Re: No such thing as a leisure battery

 ·  Posted: 28.11.2013  ·  #6
the fat controller
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Re: No such thing as a leisure battery

 ·  Posted: 28.11.2013  ·  #7
Does the two 240ah 6v batteries in series give 480ah 12v or is there some electrickery calculation which means you have less ah
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Re: No such thing as a leisure battery

 ·  Posted: 28.11.2013  ·  #8
Quote by the fat controller

Does the two 240ah 6v batteries in series give 480ah 12v or is there some electrickery calculation which means you have less ah


No, you will end up with 240 ah 12 volt I think? :)
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Re: No such thing as a leisure battery

 ·  Posted: 28.11.2013  ·  #9
Quote by TeamRienza

Hi Ally,

Always lots of confusion around about 'leisure' and starter batteries. I read this a couple of years back. A lot of sense talked.

http://www.sterling-power.com/support-faq-2.htm


Davy


Davy,

Yes thanks a great article, I posted it here forum/topic.php?t=3979 a while ago.

The recent video's made by the Motorhome channel have also made leisure batteries more or less a load of useless plastic.

It suggests though that despite there being no such thing as a leisure battery if you are buying one that states that, to buy nothing other than a Varta, Banner or can't remember now, was it Exide?
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Re: No such thing as a leisure battery

 ·  Posted: 28.11.2013  ·  #10
Quote by digger

Would the greater expense be justified?
I paid £54 ( trade price) for a12v battery last week. It has a 3year guarantee.
You would need to get a long time out of 2x6v to make it worth while.


With you there Brian, but the big difference apparently is the fact that the 6 volts will work for a lot longer in any one charge than one or two 12's even if they work out at the same AH. Also the 6 volt traction can be taken down to a much lower voltage without damage.

Must be two years ago now I posted on this site that I never had any problems with car batteries in my old caravan, it seems we are basically using car batteries with badly designed leisure batteries.

But I stand to be corrected :)
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Re: No such thing as a leisure battery

 ·  Posted: 28.11.2013  ·  #11
Quote by CHAUSSON

Never heard of a traction Battery, What is it usually fitted to?


As Mark said, Golf Carts. Also some Fork Lifts etc
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Re: No such thing as a leisure battery

 ·  Posted: 28.11.2013  ·  #12
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Re: No such thing as a leisure battery

 ·  Posted: 28.11.2013  ·  #13
Quote by the fat controller

Problem for me is size


:D :D size matters
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Re: No such thing as a leisure battery

 ·  Posted: 28.11.2013  ·  #14
Ally
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Re: No such thing as a leisure battery

 ·  Posted: 29.11.2013  ·  #15
Quote by the fat controller

Problem for me is size as I need low profile batteries to fit in the locker


Specification
6 VOLT
260AH
260 mm long x 180 mm wide x 288 (inc terminals)
Weight: 30kg
Bolt thru Terminals

Hmm very high.
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Re: No such thing as a leisure battery

 ·  Posted: 29.11.2013  ·  #16
I too need low profile battery, contacted Simon at LTS he does the Elecsol 110ah 12 v which is low profile and has a 5 year warranty :D
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Re: No such thing as a leisure battery

 ·  Posted: 29.11.2013  ·  #17
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and has a 5 year warranty


not worth the paper its printed on now they have gone bust!!
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Re: No such thing as a leisure battery

 ·  Posted: 29.11.2013  ·  #18
I have 110ah leisure batteries low box @190mm high 7.5 inches Platinum Plus .
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Re: No such thing as a leisure battery

 ·  Posted: 30.11.2013  ·  #19
Quote
Always lots of confusion around about 'leisure' and starter batteries. I read this a couple of years back. A lot of sense talked.

http://www.sterling-power.com/support-faq-2.htm

Davy, Many thanks for this article. Very interesting reading from what sounds like a really authoritative guy.
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Re: No such thing as a leisure battery

 ·  Posted: 30.11.2013  ·  #20
Surely that has answered all the questions that anyone with a problem knowing what battery to buy. Straight and very much to the point of putting your neck on the line where some batteries and their manafacturers are concerned. :up:
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Re: No such thing as a leisure battery

 ·  Posted: 24.01.2014  ·  #21
don't buy elecsol 5 yr warrenty us as I think they have gone bust but your warrenty should be with
the dealer you purchase from . DESPERATE DAN
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