I need a new leisure battery lithium?

Can you expand a bit.
How many ah and what type of battery at the moment
Is that sufficient enough for your needs and are you expecting to use more electric ? Will any extra cause solar to be required
What do you replenish electric with at the moment
Where is your battery situated (under seat)
Will you be wanting/needing an inverter
Do you need to future proof it ?
Do you use motorhome away from 240 supply ?
 
What solar controller, mains charger, B2B (or split charge relay) do you have at the moment? What battery types do they support?
 
Actual battery lithium is amp hour for amp hour cheaper,smaller,longer lasting than decent lead..and you can use an inverter without damaging them..the potential extra cost comes down to charging so depends on your existing set up
 
Odd-no-more said:
It's time to replace my leisure battery. How much more expensive, and how much extra work, to go lithium?
Click to expand...
For now, in the caravan, I would "go lithium".

Extra work? Almost none if you mains charger has a LiFePO4 (lithium) profile. Or a GEL profile.
Just change the setting.

You can also use most "ordinary chargers" if they are inteligent - just check the charging voltage.

More expensive? A Sterling Power 60Ah lithium battery will cost you £199 and will give you as much usable power as any non-lithium battery you can buy anywhere else. And it will last longer - much longer.
 
PlacidoD said:
A bit of self-help from the OP would not go amiss!!!
Click to expand...
Sorry to have to ask but can you expand on what you mean by 'self help'?

I ask because this very morning a fellow funster in a different thread prompted me to look further into 'going lithium' as my two lead batteries are in need of replacement so I began by searching this forum for comments & info & the very top thing in my search results was this thread.

I am in the same state of ignorance, it seems, as the originator of this thread, although I have a campervan not a trailer.

So if I understand correctly LostInSpace has pointed out the mains charger is the only thing that would potentially need attention so I'll go to the handbooks supplied by the 'van makers Mr & Mrs Murvi (& kindly protected by the vehicle's previous custodians than goodness!) but what am I looking for?

And what other help should I give myself?
 
stuartholmes said:
Sorry to have to ask but can you expand on what you mean by 'self help'?

I ask because this very morning a fellow funster in a different thread prompted me to look further into 'going lithium' as my two lead batteries are in need of replacement so I began by searching this forum for comments & info & the very top thing in my search results was this thread.

I am in the same state of ignorance, it seems, as the originator of this thread, although I have a campervan not a trailer.

So if I understand correctly LostInSpace has pointed out the mains charger is the only thing that would potentially need attention so I'll go to the handbooks supplied by the 'van makers Mr & Mrs Murvi (& kindly protected by the vehicle's previous custodians than goodness!) but what am I looking for?

And what other help should I give myself?
Click to expand...
I asked a similar question a couple of weeks ago, and it’s not as simple as altering a setting on your charger. You also need a battery to battery charger, and a way to trigger it. You also need to remove your EBL from the vehicle charging system, and alter or swap your mains charger. Other settings too if you have solar.

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Drop in lithium

Has anybody just replaced their lead acid/gel battery with a lithium battery, and done nothing else to their system?? Any noticeable problems, or issues?
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Landy Andy said:
I asked a similar question a couple of weeks ago, and it’s not as simple as altering a setting on your charger. You also need a battery to battery charger, and a way to trigger it. You also need to remove your EBL from the vehicle charging system, and alter or swap your mains charger. Other settings too if you have solar.

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Drop in lithium

Has anybody just replaced their lead acid/gel battery with a lithium battery, and done nothing else to their system?? Any noticeable problems, or issues?
www.motorhomefun.co.uk www.motorhomefun.co.uk
Click to expand...
This is more like the Scary Mary territory I expected.. think I have a battery to battery charger in the form of VanBitz battery master I got them to fit couple or so years ago so they're on my list to check & don't even know what an EBL is.... (and I do have solar).
 
The problem with Lithium in a caravan is if you want to charge it on the move.
Difficult due to the long cable runs and the towing socket can't handle the power.
There is a B2B system for cars but I don't know much about it.

If you are using sites with EHU most of of the time probably not worth the effort of going lithium.
 
stuartholmes said:
This is more like the Scary Mary territory I expected.. think I have a battery to battery charger in the form of VanBitz battery master I got them to fit couple or so years ago so they're on my list to check & don't even know what an EBL is.... (and I do have solar).
Click to expand...
stuartholmes The VanBitz battery master is there to trickle charge your starter battery from the leisure side (utilising the solar or EHU charging of the leisure battery. A battery to battery is the device that charges your leisure battery from the vehicle charging system (alternator) whilst the engine is running.
With respect, I think your level of apparent technical knowledge may warrant contacting AshWattGuardz (fromerly VanBitz) for advice and guidance on what you need to upgrade to lithium batteries.
 
We're all doomed Mr Mannering ....


The reality is you might not need all the add ons. For my initial lithium change I just put it in and switched the on board charger to LA setting. It was like that for over three years. No B2B, no lithium profile charger. I did add solar, but before I did, it either charged up to 98% on EHU or 100% via the vehicle alternator while driving ...

I've now added a second lithium and will soon add a B2B, but that's really only because of the way we now use our motorhome NOT because it's critical to have one!

I would take Ash up on his offer, but for now only install what you MUST, which isn't the same as what you can ..
 
stuartholmes said:
This is more like the Scary Mary territory I expected.. think I have a battery to battery charger in the form of VanBitz battery master I got them to fit couple or so years ago so they're on my list to check & don't even know what an EBL is.... (and I do have solar).
Click to expand...
No reason why you should know what an EBL is :) Your Murvi is extremely unlikely to have a German electrical system installed, being made in Devon.
 
Scottish Scrutineer said:
stuartholmes The VanBitz battery master is there to trickle charge your starter battery from the leisure side (utilising the solar or EHU charging of the leisure battery. A battery to battery is the device that charges your leisure battery from the vehicle charging system (alternator) whilst the engine is running.
With respect, I think your level of apparent technical knowledge may warrant contacting AshWattGuardz (fromerly VanBitz) for advice and guidance on what you need to upgrade to lithium batteries.
Click to expand...
Thanks, that is so much exactly what I thought that I emailed them not more than an hour ago, reply probs coming in anytime now! 🙂

Oh and I did know about what a B2B is and I do have one (I think!) but I also know a lot of other stuff like what was top of the pops when our first son was born. It's just that I forgot!!
 
stuartholmes said:
Sorry to have to ask but can you expand on what you mean by 'self help'?

I ask because this very morning a fellow funster in a different thread prompted me to look further into 'going lithium' as my two lead batteries are in need of replacement so I began by searching this forum for comments & info & the very top thing in my search results was this thread.
Click to expand...
If it is of any interest, assuming your Murvi Morello is the same setup as the Murvi Morello I did a battery upgrade on last year, you have a pair of lead batteries end to end against the side of the van under the pull-out bed? If so, then I can recommend a good quality 200Ah Lead Carbon battery that is a perfect fit in that space.
Being Lead Carbon, you don't have to much around with different chargers or settings if you don't want to.

IMO, there is too much knee-jerk "go Lithium" comments on Motorhome forums generally and it seems to be the answer given regardless of the question asked, but it is NOT the only answer.

stuartholmes said:
I am in the same state of ignorance, it seems, as the originator of this thread, although I have a campervan not a trailer.

So if I understand correctly LostInSpace has pointed out the mains charger is the only thing that would potentially need attention so I'll go to the handbooks supplied by the 'van makers Mr & Mrs Murvi (& kindly protected by the vehicle's previous custodians than goodness!) but what am I looking for?

And what other help should I give myself?
Click to expand...
 
Hoovie said:
No reason why you should know what an EBL is :) Your Murvi is extremely unlikely to have a German electrical system installed, being made in Devon.
Click to expand...
Thank you! You can have no idea how happy that makes me!! 🥰

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AshWattGuardz said:
I am happy to help wherever possible. Please either send me a PM or give me a call on 01823426960 and we can discuss this further.

Ash
Click to expand...
Thanks, got that in the plans! You'll prob come to my message off your website later.
 
Last edited:
Hoovie said:
If it is of any interest, assuming your Murvi Morello is the same setup as the Murvi Morello I did a battery upgrade on last year, you have a pair of lead batteries end to end against the side of the van under the pull-out bed? If so, then I can recommend a good quality 200Ah Lead Carbon battery that is a perfect fit in that space.
Being Lead Carbon, you don't have to much around with different chargers or settings if you don't want to.

IMO, there is too much knee-jerk "go Lithium" comments on Motorhome forums generally and it seems to be the answer given regardless of the question asked, but it is NOT the only answer.
Click to expand...
My current (no pun intended but it should have been, except they are dead so there's actually no current) set up is exactly that, 2 x 110v 'leisure' lead acid.
Don't recall ever having heard of Lead Carbon so will investigate, thank you!
 
I really need to advertise these properly on the classifieds, but if anyone is interested I have 3 x 100Ah LiTime Mini Lithium batteries and one Victron 200Ah AGM battery which I no longer have a use for.

All are in excellent condition and I would encourage any potential buyer to test them for their own peace of mind.

The LiTime were only replaced because I was seduced by a Fogstar Drift Pro in the Black Friday sale! I made up some 50mm cables to connect these together which would be included if anyone wanted two or more of them.
 
stuartholmes said:
My current (no pun intended but it should have been, except they are dead so there's actually no current) set up is exactly that, 2 x 110v 'leisure' lead acid.
Don't recall ever having heard of Lead Carbon so will investigate, thank you!
Click to expand...
sent a message explaining about Lead Carbons as not really on topic here I guess, but they can be an excellent alternative to Lithium. Yes, they have some cons compared to Lithiums, but they have many pros as well.
 
It seems to be as I expected, I would need a B2B plus heavier cable on the car and on the caravan. The caravan charger is basic,so that would need replacing, my solar controller would need to be upgraded. Considering everything, as well as I have never had a problem with LA, I'm going to replace like 4 like.
Thanks everyone for your help
 
Odd-no-more said:
It's time to replace my leisure battery. How much more expensive, and how much extra work, to go lithium?
Click to expand...
If you want a straight swap you can either go hybrid or pure lithium without any changes not the cheapest but then again your not messing with your existing setup.

BOS - Lithium Energy Storage Systems | Off-grid experts

BOS AG is a German Energy Storage Systems (ESS) manufacturer & expert in the off-grid sector & provides Lithium batteries as a lead extension.
www.bos-ag.com www.bos-ag.com
 
Well, if you want a 200Ah Victron AGM battery at a decent price Odd-no-more ....

It's heavy to post though and Southampton isn't very near Cambridge so it might end up not really saving you anything, but the offer is there if you'd like...
 
Scottish Scrutineer said:
A battery to battery is the device that charges your leisure battery from the vehicle charging system
Click to expand...
Certainly, a valid use for a battery to battery charger, but a long way from the full story.

I have 3 battery to battery chargers on my Hymer motorhome.
  • The standard Schaudt WA 121545 now fitted to new motorhomes by Hymer. It does as you say and charges the leisure battery from the vehicle charging system - whilst the vehicle is being driven.
  • The second is a B2B set to low power, wired to keep the engine battery fully charged whilst left unused for any length of time not being driven. This takes its power from the leisure battery and I know the vehicle will always start.
  • The third B2B is used to charge my mobility scooter battery from the leisure battery.
So, A battery to battery charger is a device which is used to charge any one battery from any other battery.
 
LithiumConvert said:
Certainly, a valid use for a battery to battery charger, but a long way from the full story.

I have 3 battery to battery chargers on my Hymer motorhome.
  • The standard Schaudt WA 121545 now fitted to new motorhomes by Hymer. It does as you say and charges the leisure battery from the vehicle charging system - whilst the vehicle is being driven.
  • The second is a B2B set to low power, wired to keep the engine battery fully charged whilst left unused for any length of time not being driven. This takes its power from the leisure battery and I know the vehicle will always start.
  • The third B2B is used to charge my mobility scooter battery from the leisure battery.
So, A battery to battery charger is a device which is used to charge any one battery from any other battery.
Click to expand...
I was attempting keep the explanation fairly straightforward for Stuart as he was getting a bit stressed. Yes the battery master is a low power B2B, as is the charger for your mobility scooter, but irrelevant to Stuart’s concern. There’s quite a few of us with varying levels of electrical systems and knowledge of how they function, but there’s also the need to keep things in perspective.

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