Is this the end of the line for my Leisure battery ? (1 Viewer)

[Montezuma]

Hello.
I’m new to this forum, but not new to caravans and motorhomes. I currently own an elderly (2013) Adria Matrix Axess M590SG, in which we have toured much of France and some of Spain.
During the winter months the van is stored at home, is run regularly, even if just to the supermarket, and ‘hooked-up’ to mains at regular intervals.
The other day I checked the battery condition and the ‘magic’ control panel revealed that the leisure battery was down to 0%.
The motorhome had been hooked up overnight a couple of days previously, and had been driven a 25-mile round trip a few days before that. Everything had seemed to be fine on the electrical front.
I was a bit dischuffed to see ‘Nul Points’ on the control panel.
I suspect that the 11-year-old leisure battery may have given up the ghost?
It is an Exide ES900 12v 80Ah Gel unit, and to date it has given no problems but it is past the average life-span of batteries of its type, . . . . I think.
Nevertheless, I hooked-up and left the unit on charge for 24 hours, after which time everything seemed to be OK. Indications on the control panel were all back to the expected readings (100%). (When charging, initially, the control panel read 14.1volts)
So, I unhooked from the mains and rechecked the readings after a further 24 hours; the battery was showing 96%.
After a further 24 hours the reading was 91%.
24 hours later it was reading 23%.
As far as I am aware, there is nothing connected to the leisure battery that could cause such a sudden drain; the alarm system is operated via the main battery.
Now, I am a mechanically minded chap, who has been in engineering all his life, but to me, electrical stuff is a black art, which I never mastered.
My assumption is that the elderly battery is ‘goosed, (a technical term) but before I lash out on a replacement, I thought that I might enquire of the more knowledgeable chaps on this forum as to what, if anything, might otherwise be the cause of the problem.
I have tested all the kit that functions on 12 volts, and seen the expected voltage drop on the control panel as various items were operated.
Maybe the only option is to buy a new battery and then see what happens, but any info or advice would be most welcome.

 

[Figaro]

I think the first step is to test the voltage with a multimetre on the terminals rather than rely on the control panel

 

[Guigsy]

Tired batteries that are old or have been discharged too deeply, too many times can appear to charge and look relatively healthy. But they'll have a much reduced capacity and often collapse when a heavy load is put on them.

 

[Montezuma]

After recharging I tested with a multimeter, and the indication was just a tad lower than that shown on the panel. 13.9v.

I am now in the process of recharging for one more time, and then I will just check to see the battery voltages over the next few days.

It's a bit of a pain, but I am in no rush to buy a new battery, if the battery itself is not the problem.

 

[Montezuma]

Tired batteries that are old or have been discharged too deeply, too many times can appear to charge and look relatively healthy. But they'll have a much reduced capacity and often collapse when a heavy load is put on them.

Indeed, that is true, but during the short period over which I was testing this particular battery, no heavy loads had been applied, and the battery has never been flattened previously ?
As a matter of interest, the battery was not hot after charging, and the terminals and connections were all pristine.

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[Tombola]

I thought that I might enquire of the more knowledgeable chaps on this forum

And you'd be reet

My assumption is that the elderly battery is ‘goosed

and again you'd be reet Montezuma

as a famous person called Cleese once said (almost)

"Look, my lad, I know a dead battery when I see one, and I'm looking at one right now."

it's goosed me owld mucker, as long as you want anything more than 20 mins light use that is.
It is a dead battery
deceased...
is no more
It's stone dead
its an EX Battery

And welcome aboard, theres plenty advice here on whats best to replace, aswell as motorhome fun discounts if you are a paid up member with various outlets including batteries.

 

[Montezuma]

And you'd be reet

and again you'd be reet Montezuma

as a famous person called Cleese once said (almost)

"Look, my lad, I know a dead battery when I see one, and I'm looking at one right now."

it's goosed me owld mucker, as long as you want anything more than 20 mins light use that is.
It is a dead battery
deceased...
is no more
It's stone dead
its an EX Battery

And welcome aboard, theres plenty advice here on whats best to replace, aswell as motorhome fun discounts if you are a paid up member with various outlets including batteries.

Just for once, it seems as if I was right.

I have spotted this one.

ES900 EXIDE G80 MARINE LEISURE EQUIPMENT GEL BATTERY 80AH​

ES900 Exide G80 Marine Leisure Equipment GEL Battery 80Ah

ES900 Exide Marine & Leisure Equipment GEL Battery Exide are one of the leading battery companies in the world and have been delivering quality in the sector for more than 130 years! Exide has introduced its next generation of car/light vehicle batteries. The range is developed in Exide’s...

www.tayna.co.uk

Seems like a good deal ?

 

[Rapides]

And you'd be reet

Just for once, it seems as if I was right.

I have spotted this one.

ES900 EXIDE G80 MARINE LEISURE EQUIPMENT GEL BATTERY 80AH​

ES900 Exide G80 Marine Leisure Equipment GEL Battery 80Ah

ES900 Exide Marine & Leisure Equipment GEL Battery Exide are one of the leading battery companies in the world and have been delivering quality in the sector for more than 130 years! Exide has introduced its next generation of car/light vehicle batteries. The range is developed in Exide’s...

www.tayna.co.uk

Seems like a good deal ?

Installed two of them last weekend to replace my seven-year-old AGM’s.

 

[Lenny HB]

Thats a good price and Tayna are a good company to deal with.

 

[Montezuma]

Here I am again, having run a lengthy, and probably pointless, test on the leisure battery, . . . . . . . . . and paid my subs !

I have run the test because I was in no hurry to spend cash in an unnecessary fashion.

Initially I fully charged the leisure battery one more time.

The control panel reading during initial charging was 14.3 Volts / 100%

After 24 hours on charge, I disconnected from the mains, and checked the control panel readings; 13.4 volts / 100%

A Multimeter reading across the battery terminals with the control panel 'Off', showed a slightly higher voltage, 13.59v, than the control panel.

I then ensured that there was absolutely nothing in the motorhome that was consuming power from the leisure battery.

Each day I checked the readings, as the suspect battery gradually diminished in capacity, and I gradually lost the will to live.

On the eighth day (beyond biblical limitations here) the the control panel reading was 12.3volts / 76%; and the Multimeter showed 12.59 volts.

I have just braved the torrential rain, which has not let up all day, and checked the control panel readings for the 9th consecutive day.

The control panel indicated 10.5 volts and showed 0%, while the multimeter showed just 10.79v.

Obviously the battery is completely flattened !

I am inclined to think that this sort of performance, or lack of it, reinforces the fact that the battery is indeed finished.

The only other practical test I can think of would be to fully charge once more, and then simulate a long un-hooked-up-weekend, by running the fridge, lights and maybe even heating the water?

BUT - Is it worth it ?

Answers on a postcard to "Horace Batchelor, Department One, Keynsham, spelt K-E-Y-N-S-H-A-M, Keynsham, Bristol". (Not really; anyway, only elderly Radio Luxembourg listeners would understand that).

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[DavidG58]

I saved a few pounds last month buying from these, but not done a recent price comparison

Arrived in 2 days

Exide ES900 (replaces G80) 12V 80Ah Gel battery VRLA

Gel Battery Exide ES900 12V 80Ah 900Wh The Gel Battery ES900 is a supply battery for consumers on board a motorhome, caravan, motorboat or yacht.…

infinite-solar.co.uk

 

[DerryW]

There is someone got a pair of 90AH Exide Gels for sale in MHF classified

 

[donkey]

Here I am again, having run a lengthy, and probably pointless, test on the leisure battery, . . . . . . . . . and paid my subs !

I have run the test because I was in no hurry to spend cash in an unnecessary fashion.

Initially I fully charged the leisure battery one more time.

The control panel reading during initial charging was 14.3 Volts / 100%

After 24 hours on charge, I disconnected from the mains, and checked the control panel readings; 13.4 volts / 100%

A Multimeter reading across the battery terminals with the control panel 'Off', showed a slightly higher voltage, 13.59v, than the control panel.

I then ensured that there was absolutely nothing in the motorhome that was consuming power from the leisure battery.

Each day I checked the readings, as the suspect battery gradually diminished in capacity, and I gradually lost the will to live.

On the eighth day (beyond biblical limitations here) the the control panel reading was 12.3volts / 76%; and the Multimeter showed 12.59 volts.

I have just braved the torrential rain, which has not let up all day, and checked the control panel readings for the 9th consecutive day.

The control panel indicated 10.5 volts and showed 0%, while the multimeter showed just 10.79v.

Obviously the battery is completely flattened !

I am inclined to think that this sort of performance, or lack of it, reinforces the fact that the battery is indeed finished.

The only other practical test I can think of would be to fully charge once more, and then simulate a long un-hooked-up-weekend, by running the fridge, lights and maybe even heating the water?

BUT - Is it worth it ?

Answers on a postcard to "Horace Batchelor, Department One, Keynsham, spelt K-E-Y-N-S-H-A-M, Keynsham, Bristol". (Not really; anyway, only elderly Radio Luxembourg listeners would understand that).

Hi
It is highly unlikely that you could run the fridge and heat water using a leisure battery. Your vehicle just isn't wired up like that. Please do as advised and fit a new battery. Even if the old one is not fully goosed, at 11 years it will be way past its best.

Geoff

 

[pappajohn]

11 years for any battery is exceptional.
5 Years is a good age.
Just bite the bullet and replace it

 

[Tombola]

BUT - Is it worth it ?

Yeah it's worth it...you'll get an hour out of it

Take it down the scrapper and get paid for it pal it's gone.
She had a good innings but it's time to let her go

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[Arnside037]

Might be worth £10 scrappage. Mine was.

 

[Montezuma]

I saved a few pounds last month buying from these, but not done a recent price comparison

Arrived in 2 days

Exide ES900 (replaces G80) 12V 80Ah Gel battery VRLA

Gel Battery Exide ES900 12V 80Ah 900Wh The Gel Battery ES900 is a supply battery for consumers on board a motorhome, caravan, motorboat or yacht.…

infinite-solar.co.uk

I have just biten the bullet, as advised by many fellow travellers, and odered one of these.

 

[wiff2110]

So have you removed this battery from the vehicle, recharge it on your garage bench and recheck the following days without any load connected, that’s what I would do. Also check your electrolyte levels in the battery. But like others have said it’s well past it’s service life.

 

[wfdTamar]

You’ve already ordered, but I would have recommended a 110Ah lead carbon gel from alpha batteries £190 for a bit more capacity (88Ah usable).

Once the new one is in, check all your charging is ok. Find out how low you can safely take it and don’t go below that: consider a dual output solar setup to keep both batteries topped up through winter.

 

[Toskana75]

And you'd be reet

Just for once, it seems as if I was right.

I have spotted this one.

ES900 EXIDE G80 MARINE LEISURE EQUIPMENT GEL BATTERY 80AH​

ES900 Exide G80 Marine Leisure Equipment GEL Battery 80Ah

ES900 Exide Marine & Leisure Equipment GEL Battery Exide are one of the leading battery companies in the world and have been delivering quality in the sector for more than 130 years! Exide has introduced its next generation of car/light vehicle batteries. The range is developed in Exide’s...

www.tayna.co.uk

Seems like a good deal ?

Unless you have a motor mover the an AGM or EFB are better alternative

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Montezuma]

Hindsight is a marvellous thing.

I did contemplate a larger capacity battery, but could not find one of the same physical dimensions as the knackered one.

In the battery compartment, on the cheapskate, Adria Axess 590, there is no space for owt larger, so I stuck with an exact replica, from Exide, despite being tempted by cheaper batteries, of the same physical dimensions, from other less well-known manufacturers.

The local Exide dealer said he could get the battery I required, and quoted a price of over £200, so I purchased on line.

It's not arrived yet.

I will report on progress if and when it does arrive, . . . . hopefully tomorrow, as that will be the end of the 2-3 working days delivery which the vendor promised.

Such is life.

 

[Montezuma]

Well, the new leisure battery arrived this morning. Externally it was in good nick, and was seemingly undamaged by its transit. It had been very well packed by the vendors; Infinite Solar, who seem to be part of the Battery Dynamics Group.

I checked the voltage and it was just above the recommended 12.6 volts, ‘Recharging Required’ voltage, so I hooked it up to the trickle charger in the garage, and left it while I disconnected and removed the failed battery from the motorhome. Very heavy items aren’t they? Especially for old codgers.

The space in which the leisure battery is located ensured, what one might call, a snug fit, and so when in situ, I had been unable to examine the sides and ends of the old battery casing. Now I could see that the sides of the casing were noticeably rippled, and both ends were dished, one end (+) considerably more than the other. Similar surfaces on the new battery were all nicely flat and regular. Obviously, over the 11+ years that this battery has been in use (lucky old me, eh?) the gradual deterioration of the battery, and probable distortion of the plates caused by excessive sulphation, has created this defect.

Maybe if I had removed the battery sooner, I would have spotted this, and blokes more knowledgeable than I, would have commented upon the fact that this surface distortion probably was another indication of a ‘Goosed’ battery.

More hindsight needed I guess, or rather, less hindsight and more foresight ?

Once the battery was installed, I reconnected the Hook-Up and applied mains power, then tweaked the relevant switches on the consumer unit (or whatever it’s called), and all seemed to be well.

The readings on the panel and on the multimeter were highly acceptable.

I will now check the installation on a regular basis over the coming days and weeks.

One thing that did surprise me was the warning in the document that accompanied the new battery. It stated;

“It is also just as harmful to leave a battery charging over a long period of time. Keeping a constant voltage at the battery terminals during the charge maintenance phase will have the effect of sulfating the internal plates in the same way as a deep discharge. We recommend performing a regular charge and discharge cycle. For slow discharge batteries, we recommend an equalization charge every 30 to 90 days (15.5v charge for several hours in order to remove the sulfate from the plates)”.

I am not in the loop with regard to quite how one would apply a 15.5 volt equalisation charge?

Regardless, “Here endeth the lesson”, as our old padre often used to say, back in the day. He, by the way, was known to all as ‘Harpic’, as he was clean round the bend.

 

[ChrisL]

You’ve already ordered, but I would have recommended a 110Ah lead carbon gel from alpha batteries £190

Be aware that mine have lasted under 3 years and have completely failed, unfortunately I don’t know why as they've never been lower than 50% and most of their lives have been at float voltage on hookup. If you read the guarantee for these batteries, it's not worth the paper it's printed on. I'm booked into Offgrid on Monday for a Lithium upgrade.