add 2nd leisure battery

[cessac]

I was thinking of upgrading to Lithium , but it is so complicated I have decided to just add a second leisure battery . My question is , do both have to be the same amp hour rating ? Also , are there any problems doing this that I need to be aware of ? Thanks in advance.

 

[mitzimad]

no they dont have to be the same size but they do need to be the same type ie lead acid .gel,agm,etc

 

[Phill D]

And ideally similar age.
Close together if possible.

 

[Sixty-nine Chevy]

Just for your info, I was also thinking of adding a second lead-acid leisure battery but have decided to go for a LE300 lithium. This basically connects directly to the lead-acid with no other complications. It then does most of the work and recharging, only calling on the lead-acid when really needed. Should be going in tomorrow. Happy to answer any questions if that would help.

 

[Stealaway]

How old is your existing battery

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[Sixty-nine Chevy]

Over 3 and a half years old. It is not holding charge very well, so replacing it at the same time.

 

[cessac]

Just for your info, I was also thinking of adding a second lead-acid leisure battery but have decided to go for a LE300 lithium. This basically connects directly to the lead-acid with no other complications. It then does most of the work and recharging, only calling on the lead-acid when really needed. Should be going in tomorrow. Happy to answer any questions if that would help.

I was under the impression that you cant mix the two . Can you tell me how its done please

 

[MisterB]

im not sure it is that complicated for the benefits lithium offer? if youre not sure, you could always get someone to fit it for you and deal with the issues. are you in france permanently or on holiday as that will affect where you can get it sorted, as a bonus, you might be able to claim back some of the VAT from either the UK or France if you buy in a different country to where you live.

 

[Sixty-nine Chevy]

I was under the impression that you cant mix the two . Can you tell me how its done please

Yep, I understand that is true for 'normal' lithium and lead-acid batteries. However, this lithium has been developed specifically to connect to a lead-acid and to control matters. The following video gives a good explanation of the system, even if it is concerned with batteries on boats. I have seen that Hymer use the LE300 batteries in their intelligent battery system (whatever that is) on some of their big motorhomes. The only downside that I can see is that the storage capacity of the LE300 is less than a normal lithium battery, but you can add another one (or more if you have the space) later if it turns out not to be enough for you.

 

[cessac]

Just for your info, I was also thinking of adding a second lead-acid leisure battery but have decided to go for a LE300 lithium. This basically connects directly to the lead-acid with no other complications. It then does most of the work and recharging, only calling on the lead-acid when really needed. Should be going in tomorrow. Happy to answer any questions if that would help.

Just watched the video . Very interesting , I will look into this further . Can you let me know how it goes please

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[Sixty-nine Chevy]

Will do! All being done today.

 

[timetochill]

Now that video looks very interesting thank you 69 chevy

 

[Itsmcb]

Very clever idea. I can see the appeal of plug and play with your existing system but boy is it expensive. £450 for 25 amps. compared to around £600 for 100 amps of standard lithium battery.

 

[Sixty-nine Chevy]

Yep, took me a while to realise that you are getting far fewer amp hours for your money. Clincher for me was the no need for further modifications to the battery system, which I would have to do if I went for standard lithium. I'm expecting (and hoping!) that this addition of a single LE300 will meet our power needs.

I should also add that the LE300 is LiFePO4 with 3,000 charging cycles, in contrast to the 500 cycles of a 'normal' lithium battery.

 

[Itsmcb]

Yep, took me a while to realise that you are getting far fewer amp hours for your money. Clincher for me was the no need for further modifications to the battery system, which I would have to do if I went for standard lithium. I'm expecting (and hoping!) that this addition of a single LE300 will meet our power needs.

I should also add that the LE300 is LiFePO4 with 3,000 charging cycles, in contrast to the 500 cycles of a 'normal' lithium battery.

By 'normal lithium' I did mean the Lifepo4 batteries as supplied by Roamer or similar. (Roamer actually state 5000 cycles in their spec.) Just seems like a lot of money for such a small increase in power reserve.
If you dont mind me asking, I'm curious how you currently charge your existing battery?

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[Gaston aires]

When our Gels expire I will go lithium. But the Gels seem to last for ages, 13 years old on one van we had and still going strong.
Phil

 

[Sixty-nine Chevy]

By 'normal lithium' I did mean the Lifepo4 batteries as supplied by Roamer or similar. (Roamer actually state 5000 cycles in their spec.) Just seems like a lot of money for such a small increase in power reserve.
If you dont mind me asking, I'm curious how you currently charge your existing battery?

Ah ok. I’m no expert in this area! Currently charge by alternator and 100W solar. Plus of course occasional shore power.

 

[cessac]

Will do! All being done today.

How is it all going with the lithium battery ? Any problems ? It is still an idea on my radar .

 

[Sixty-nine Chevy]

Going good. It turned out more expensive than that initial link I saw because that was a trade price, for which you have to have an account with that distributor. My local campervan place didn't have an account and didn't want to set one up. I guess if you are aware of this and do more searching you may find a better price. Due to various family commitments we haven't been able to get away for a long trip, but on a few short ones the system has behaved perfectly. No issues at all. Hope to get away overseas soon after Christmas, so that will be the bigger test.

 

[cessac]

Going good. It turned out more expensive than that initial link I saw because that was a trade price, for which you have to have an account with that distributor. My local campervan place didn't have an account and didn't want to set one up. I guess if you are aware of this and do more searching you may find a better price. Due to various family commitments we haven't been able to get away for a long trip, but on a few short ones the system has behaved perfectly. No issues at all. Hope to get away overseas soon after Christmas, so that will be the bigger test.

Glad to hear all seems well . Are you hoping to go down to Spain with the rest of us ? We will save you a place

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[Sixty-nine Chevy]

That's the plan! We almost went a couple of weeks ago, but it would have been tight for timing.