Changing leisure battery.

[Bognor Saint]

Just got back from a trip. We were on hook up so really didn't notice an issue. At home I checked battery levels and the leisure battery quick sank to below 10v, so pretty dead.
I just need to know if there is anything specific I need to do when I change it. Below is a pic of the connections. Thanks.

 

[StillGoing]

Disconnect the solar if you have it.

 

[Simon Meadwell]

I didn’t disconnect solar and no problem

 

[fishplug]

Depends on what else is on the system.

What I've read for my Victron setup is that you'd first isolate or disconnect your solar and any loads and then remove the old battery.

Put the new battery in and then connect it to the MPPT controller as that allows it to correctly sense the battery voltage. Once that's booted up you can then connect the solar panels to the controller and finally connect your loads.

I'm not sure how important it is to do that, but I can see the logic in it theoretically. It certainly doesn't hurt but to be honest I've also forgotten to do it (my current system is a bit of a temporary jerry rigged system that's been in and out a few times!) and it's all worked fine.

 

[Vikdikdok]

Have you checked the fluid levels ?

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[StillGoing]

I didn’t disconnect solar and no problem

If you don’t disconnect the solar, the cable remains live (unless there is no sun). Also, some solar controllers need the battery connecting first in order to provide the correct charging voltage.

 

[Simon Meadwell]

Apologies leisure battery i was thinking engine battery. Eyes slightly blurred from rum intake.

 

[LostInSpace]

Disconnecting the solar might be a good time to put a switch in the lead from the panel to the regulator.
For next time. That is the thing to switch off first (maybe, the night before)

I use a surface mounted domestic light switch from B&Q.

 

[Gromett]

I use a surface mounted domestic light switch from B&Q.

Will probably work ok. BUT you should never use a switch designed for AC on a DC circuit. They have different requirements.
In an AC circuit the voltage passes 0V many times a second and this will extinguish any arc.
A DC switch will maintain an arc until it is a sufficient distance to break the arc. This causes burning of the contact surface and may be a fire risk.

As your switch will be rated for 240V Ac and your DC voltage is much lower, you may be ok. But there will still be some damage each time you operate it.
You have seen the arcing when you put a 12v blade fuse in? This is an example of what I am talking about. Your solar panels are likely to be quite a bit higher than 12V.

For any DC isolation I prefer something that has a cam operation to snap the contact apart or a properly specified DC switch.

Here is a pretty extreme example of the problem. The demonstration shows what happens when you switch identical AC and DC voltages.

 

[Gromett]

I just checked the eFixx channel for an explainer video. They are a pretty good source of info for electrical installation. This explains it very well including the differences and shows another demonstration of the difference. Note the massively reduced voltage and current rating of the DC breaker compared to the AC even though it is doubled up.

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[Bognor Saint]

Disconnect the solar if you have it.

Yes, I have solar. However I'm not sure how to disconnect it. The hook up will be removed. Is it just a question of covering the solar panel?
Below is the type of charger.

 

[GeoffnDee]

If you can do it without problems covering the solar panel will be ok and will save disturbing the settings / wiring connections on the controller (the pair of cables in the centre are the solar input to the controller)

 

[PhilandMena]

Well, I never thought I would be posting about batteries on here again but for what its worth here goes. You dont say how old the battery is and how its been used but my take is its run out of capacity and needs replacing. I had two of these (assuming their L.A and not AGM) and got 3 years out of them. There not very good I.M.O.The AGM ones are reportedly not much better. I now have the Leoch Pure Lead Carbon AGM batteries and they have 000's of cycles in them and I'm expecting around 10 years of usage out of them. They also accept my Sargent charging profile so no adjustments need to my charging set up and take up the same space.

 

[MichaelT]

Depends on what else is on the system.

What I've read for my Victron setup is that you'd first isolate or disconnect your solar and any loads and then remove the old battery.

Put the new battery in and then connect it to the MPPT controller as that allows it to correctly sense the battery voltage. Once that's booted up you can then connect the solar panels to the controller and finally connect your loads.

I'm not sure how important it is to do that, but I can see the logic in it theoretically. It certainly doesn't hurt but to be honest I've also forgotten to do it (my current system is a bit of a temporary jerry rigged system that's been in and out a few times!) and it's all worked fine.

Just turn off charging on the solar controller?

 

[Bognor Saint]

Well, I never thought I would be posting about batteries on here again but for what its worth here goes. You dont say how old the battery is and how its been used but my take is its run out of capacity and needs replacing. I had two of these (assuming their L.A and not AGM) and got 3 years out of them. There not very good I.M.O.The AGM ones are reportedly not much better. I now have the Leoch Pure Lead Carbon AGM batteries and they have 000's of cycles in them and I'm expecting around 10 years of usage out of them. They also accept my Sargent charging profile so no adjustments need to my charging set up and take up the same space.

Hi
The motorhome is a 21 plate. We've had it for 18 months so I'm assuming the battery is the original. It's LA.
We only use ehu but no idea of what previous owner did. When on ehu it shows a healthy charge but when disconnected it rapidly falls below 10v, reading on control panel. I confirm this with my meter.

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[Tea Bag]

I didn’t disconnect solar and no problem

Hi.
Brave you. . Me,being VERY respectfull of Leccy Went on this forum for advice when doing the same. Loads of replies PLUS a Wireing diagram about what goes where from Lenny HB. Even so,i covered the solar panel with a big bit of cardboard .
My next question is... How long will it be before my hair becomes...." Unfrizzled "
Tea Bag

 

[fishplug]

Just turn off charging on the solar controller?

In my case, I have isolator switches between each component in the system so I can work on any part as needed.

One to cut the solar from the MPPT, one to cut the MPPT from the battery, one to cut the battery from the bus bars / fuse box /loads.

I think if you're going to cut the panels from the system then you probably need to turn off the physical connection somehow rather than turning the software off.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Pull the red cable from your controller and before you reconnect put a fuse in line then next time you need to disconnect .Just pull the fuse.

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[PhilandMena]

Hi
The motorhome is a 21 plate. We've had it for 18 months so I'm assuming the battery is the original. It's LA.
We only use ehu but no idea of what previous owner did. When on ehu it shows a healthy charge but when disconnected it rapidly falls below 10v, reading on control panel. I confirm this with my meter.

What your seeing when on Hook up is the charge going into the batteries from the charger and not that actual battery state. Your battery has defeintly reached its end of life. Beware if replacing with anouther L.A. Leisure battery that it's life will be dependant on how its used and an understanding of battery capacity and cycles is essential if you want to get the most from it. Unfortunitly, too many battery manufacturers make false and misleading statements about battery performance and I would advise you to do youir homework before buying your next leisure battery. If you do go down the road of fitting AGM or Lithium make sure your charger and Alternator are suitable for these types of batteries and your solar controller can be adjusted to the recommended charging profile. It can be a minefield and beware the advice you get from this site is not always correct. Best of luck going forward.

 

[Bognor Saint]

What your seeing when on Hook up is the charge going into the batteries from the charger and not that actual battery state. Your battery has defeintly reached its end of life. Beware if replacing with anouther L.A. Leisure battery that it's life will be dependant on how its used and an understanding of battery capacity and cycles is essential if you want to get the most from it. Unfortunitly, too many battery manufacturers make false and misleading statements about battery performance and I would advise you to do youir homework before buying your next leisure battery. If you do go down the road of fitting AGM or Lithium make sure your charger and Alternator are suitable for these types of batteries and your solar controller can be adjusted to the recommended charging profile. It can be a minefield and beware the advice you get from this site is not always correct. Best of luck going forward.

Thanks for explaining, it's helped clear up some of my confusion.

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[MitchandJenny]

Just got back from a trip. We were on hook up so really didn't notice an issue. At home I checked battery levels and the leisure battery quick sank to below 10v, so pretty dead.
I just need to know if there is anything specific I need to do when I change it. Below is a pic of the connections. Thanks.View attachment 995954

I just went on top and laid a towel over the panel. Disconnect Negative FIRST then pos
and put pos on new Battery FIRST the neg.
Mitch

 

[The Old Man]

I Am a numpty with no Solar.

When I had the Hab battery change they just made a straight swap, it wS and old wet cell tyre replaced with something newer, maybe Gel.

That was it but I asked the mechanic, probably as a result of info gIned on here, "With the change of battery type don't you have to change settings on the ElectroBloc?"

"Ah, yes." he responded, and sent for a more senior mechance!

 

[Bognor Saint]

I obtained a Tanya battery yesterday and have managed to complete the swap over.
Thanks to all who read my post and offerered advice.

 

[robnchris]

We went through two Lead Acid batteries in 5 years, I noticed we were topping up quite a lot with distilled water. So the sergeant mains charger was disconnected and I hard wired in a Trickle Charger, same as I use for my motorbikes as we only ever stay on pitches with an EHU. Our 12v uses are LED lights, Cab radio and the occasional use of the heater blower. Since fitting the trickle charger we've had no more problems.