Adding a second Leisure battery

[BikerGraham]

Went to the van today and found the liesure battery down to 11.9V. Engine battery is fine and charging ok from the solar controller (can monitor it on the phantom tracker app)

So I think it’s time to change the leisure battery. Want to add a second one to to my Bailey autograph.

I’ve got a Victron 250 mppt. Controller but the van only has 100w of solar. But to be honest we are generally on hook up. The odd night or two off grid but lowish usage.

The current battery is the original banner and now knocking on for 6 years old.

Any recommendations please for what to buy to add and advice for adding / connecting the second one please

Am away on holiday later next week so need to get my finger out I think

 

[Roger S]

For me Fogstar if you want to go for lithium if not I would look and see what Tayna batteries have, they are very efficient, competitive, and a good company to deal with generally.

 

[bigtwin]

You won’t go wrong with Sonnenschien or Exide if you can handle gel batteries.

Ian

 

[Stealaway]

I think after six years your Banner battery will be on its last legs.
I think you need to invest in a pair of good named batteries.
I like Hankook -

XV110 Titanium Leisure XV Dual Purpose Battery 12V 110AH

XV110 Titanium Leisure XV Battery Benefits: • High cranking power for quick engine start • Robust Dual terminal for convenient connection • Maintenance free design <br> Maintenance Free <br> 4 Year Warranty <br> *Always cross reference dimensions and specifications to your existing battery or...

www.tayna.co.uk

 

[BikerGraham]

For me Fogstar if you want to go for lithium if not I would look and see what Tayna batteries have, they are very efficient, competitive, and a good company to deal with generally.

Thanks RogerS. Wont go down the lithium route though will have a look at Tanya

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[BikerGraham]

You won’t go wrong with Sonnenschien or Exide if you can handle gel batteries.

Ian

Not sure if the Bailey mains charger will handle gel. The solar charge controller will though.

 

[Ingwe]

I investigated getting a second leisure battery for our Bailey and no one deemed it a realistic option. We couldn’t find anyone to fit one. But when we decided to go for a lithium battery, it transpired that we could fit 2 110ah lithiums under the front passenger seat. So, if you’re considering lithium, could be the 2ay to go.

 

[BikerGraham]

I think after six years your Banner battery will be on its last legs.
I think you need to invest in a pair of good named batteries.
I like Hankook -

XV110 Titanium Leisure XV Dual Purpose Battery 12V 110AH

XV110 Titanium Leisure XV Battery Benefits: • High cranking power for quick engine start • Robust Dual terminal for convenient connection • Maintenance free design <br> Maintenance Free <br> 4 Year Warranty <br> *Always cross reference dimensions and specifications to your existing battery or...

www.tayna.co.uk

They are damn good value Stealaway
I gather you are using them ?

 

[BikerGraham]

I investigated getting a second leisure battery for our Bailey and no one deemed it a realistic option. We couldn’t find anyone to fit one. But when we decided to go for a lithium battery, it transpired that we could fit 2 110ah lithiums under the front passenger seat. So, if you’re considering lithium, could be the 2ay to go.

Why two lithium but not two lead acid ?
The autograph has a battery compartment that you access through a sealed lid in the floor. It’s got space for two batteries

 

[Emmit]

Could I ask, where is your leisure battery installed?
In or out and is there room in situ for a 2nd battery.

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[BikerGraham]

Am I right I thinking I just need to disconnect from the solar controller then connect up the two batteries together before then connecting up the solar controller again ?

 

[BikerGraham]

Could I ask, where is your leisure battery installed?
In or out and is there room in situ for a 2nd battery.

There’s a dedicated underfloor compartment that is designed for two batteries. It’s sealed from the habitation area but accessible via a hatch in the floor.

 

[Ingwe]

Why two lithium but not two lead acid ?
The autograph has a battery compartment that you access through a sealed lid in the floor. It’s got space for two batteries

Our Bailey (2102 Approach) has a battery cupboard with space for only one battery with no access from inside the van.

 

[Stealaway]

They are damn good value Stealaway
I gather you are using them ?

Of course I'm a Yorkshire man

I'm on the third set in three vans over 12 years.
I use a bigger version because I'm always off grid and I have 250w of solar panels.

XL31 Hankook Leisure XV Dual Purpose Battery 12V 130AH

XL31 Hankook Leisure XV Battery Hankook are a pioneer in the battery industry and have been for the past 75 years. Challenging the quality and quantitative growth of the battery industry. Based in Korea, Hankook has a global network that has been strengthening its distribution competitiveness...

www.tayna.co.uk

 

[Stealaway]

Am I right I thinking I just need to disconnect from the solar controller then connect up the two batteries together before then connecting up the solar controller again ?

Yep - the last thing to connect is the solar panel to the controller.

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[BikerGraham]

Of course I'm a Yorkshire man

I'm on the third set in three vans over 12 years.
I use a bigger version because I'm always off grid and I have 250w of solar panels.

XL31 Hankook Leisure XV Dual Purpose Battery 12V 130AH

XL31 Hankook Leisure XV Battery Hankook are a pioneer in the battery industry and have been for the past 75 years. Challenging the quality and quantitative growth of the battery industry. Based in Korea, Hankook has a global network that has been strengthening its distribution competitiveness...

www.tayna.co.uk

Lol might have know mate

The bigger one is too big to fit in.

But the first ones at £75 each are damn cheap. Maintenance free too so no need to top up

 

[BikerGraham]

Yep - the last thing to connect is the solar panel to the controller.

Thanks.

 

[pappajohn]

I assume your solar charges both batteries?
If so I have bad news......it isn't charging the hab battery.
Even if the battery was completely dead it would still show the charge voltage from the solar controller....around 13.6 to 14.4v when the sun's out

 

[suavecarve]

Went to the van today and found the liesure battery down to 11.9V. Engine battery is fine and charging ok from the solar controller (can monitor it on the phantom tracker app)

So I think it’s time to change the leisure battery. Want to add a second one to to my Bailey autograph.

I’ve got a Victron 250 mppt. Controller but the van only has 100w of solar. But to be honest we are generally on hook up. The odd night or two off grid but lowish usage.

The current battery is the original banner and now knocking on for 6 years old.

Any recommendations please for what to buy to add and advice for adding / connecting the second one please

Am away on holiday later next week so need to get my finger out I think

Are you buying an extra one to help out the current one or buying 2 replacements ?

If buying 2 replacements why? if you dont need them, because youre on hook up most of the time.

 

[pappajohn]

Am I right I thinking I just need to disconnect from the solar controller then connect up the two batteries together before then connecting up the solar controller again ?

Disconnect panels from controller then connect batteries to controller.
Reconnect panel then good to go.
Many controllers need to see the battery voltage before the panel voltage.

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[BikerGraham]

I assume your solar charges both batteries?
If so I have bad news......it isn't charging the hab battery.
Even if the battery was completely dead it would still show the charge voltage from the solar controller....around 13.6 to 14.4v when the sun's out

That’s interesting. Across the controller connections the voltage was reading 13.8v today. Same for the output to the engine battery.

Will have to check if there is a fuse somewhere. From the solar

Mind you the van was taken for a drive to go out for lunch just over a week ago. Total was 70 mile round trip. So the battery should have been well charged up. Everything switched off in the van. Look like not holding its charge either.

 

[BikerGraham]

Disconnect panels from controller then connect batteries to controller.
Reconnect panel then good to go.
Many controllers need to see the battery voltage before the panel voltage.

Thanks papajohn. Will get another chance to look at it at the weekend again. Will try that

 

[BikerGraham]

Are you buying an extra one to help out the current one or buying 2 replacements ?

If buying 2 replacements why? if you dont need them, because youre on hook up most of the time.

Will be buying two so hopefully a matched pair.
The extra one will give a bit more flexibility. Going to work on the boss to maybe do a rally next season.

 

[suavecarve]

Will be buying two so hopefully a matched pair.
The extra one will give a bit more flexibility. Going to work on the boss to maybe do a rally next season.

On behalf of all the men on the site ..................... Good luck

 

[VXman]

Am I right I thinking I just need to disconnect from the solar controller then connect up the two batteries together before then connecting up the solar controller again ?

Yes but negative to one battery and positive to the other -batteries connected in parallel. (Apologies if this is obvious - but you never know)

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[BikerGraham]

Yes but negative to one battery and positive to the other -batteries connected in parallel. (Apologies if this is obvious - but you never know)

Thank VXman

 

[Gingernuts]

Varta lfd90 were the go to hab batteries now superseded by Varta led95 and it’s available next day from trauma

 

[Gingernuts]

Varta lfd90 were the go to hab batteries now superseded by Varta led95 and it’s available next day from trauma

Oh Please! tayna

 

[BikerGraham]

I think after six years your Banner battery will be on its last legs.
I think you need to invest in a pair of good named batteries.
I like Hankook -

XV110 Titanium Leisure XV Dual Purpose Battery 12V 110AH

XV110 Titanium Leisure XV Battery Benefits: • High cranking power for quick engine start • Robust Dual terminal for convenient connection • Maintenance free design <br> Maintenance Free <br> 4 Year Warranty <br> *Always cross reference dimensions and specifications to your existing battery or...

www.tayna.co.uk

got a couple of these from Tanya, £167 delivered for the two batteries. 4 year guarantee too. Bargain.

fitted them today and all happy now. They were reading 12.6V each when I checked them on arrival so good.

thanks Stealaway for the recommendation.

However, I think I have found that the fuse between the solar charge controller and the battery may have blown. talking to another 75-2 owner, Its well hidden which involves dismantling under one of the front bench seats. Will have a look at sorting out when sunning it in Benidorm next week then.

 

[Stealaway]

got a couple of these from Tanya, £167 delivered for the two batteries. 4 year guarantee too. Bargain.

fitted them today and all happy now. They were reading 12.6V each when I checked them on arrival so good.

thanks Stealaway for the recommendation.

However, I think I have found that the fuse between the solar charge controller and the battery may have blown. talking to another 75-2 owner, Its well hidden which involves dismantling under one of the front bench seats. Will have a look at sorting out when sunning it in Benidorm next week then.

I use one of these circuit breakers between the panels and the controller. It also allows we to switch off the panels if need be.

Don't forget to vent both batteries to the outside.

12V 24V Car Audio Circuit Breaker Auto Blow Trip Fuse Reset Switch 20 50 60Amp | eBay

12 Volt - 20Amp 50Amp 60Amp. Self-Testing & Manual Override. Unique Push Button Reset can also be used as a Kill Switch. High Current Circuit Breaker. Works with 12v - 24v DC. Easy to operate with manual reset arm.

www.ebay.co.uk

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