Is wet lead right for me

[Cush]

So…
having a 12v system health check in a few weeks.

If the current wet lead acid batteries need replacing (I think they do as they seem to empty and recharge quite quickly and they are at least 5 years old) should I replace like with like?

My current thinking is that the better batteries need a good charging regime and regular use
I have 2x 85 ah batteries I think by Bison
a Sargent EC 200 which only has a wet acid charging profile I believe.
a factory fitted split charge relay from circa 2003
375 watts solar through a mppt controller
storage without EHU and only spring / summer use
removing the batteries and storing them on a charger isn’t really an option
they are located in a very small garage at the rear

your opinions would be much appreciated

thanks,
Cush

 

[Lenny HB]

If you don't want to with changing the charger I would stick with standard lead acid.

 

[Stealaway]

Only buy a quality ' named' battery from a manufacturer that has a reputation to maintain. Measure the room you have and fit bigger L/A batteries if possible

 

[two]

It does seem that your batteries are at the end of life, so I'd replace them. 375W is a lot of solar and should keep it all topped-up.
It depends on your use (need for capacity) but you might only need one battery if you don't discharge it too much.
Sticking with Lead-Acid will be the simplest solution.
I think it better to get a good quality battery.
The alternative is to get a cheap one and be prepared to chuck it at the end of the year.

 

[Cush]

Thank you Lenny HB , Stealaway and two

your input is very much appreciated. Will get best and biggest I can.

happy to entertain opinions re brand although I might be somewhat limited here. ill Let you know

thanks again

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[meanders]

Don't give the old battery to a dealer. We swapped our two out a couple of months ago. Took them to a scrap metal merchant who weighted them and gave us almost £20 for the two.

 

[Lenny HB]

Thank you Lenny HB , Stealaway and two

your input is very much appreciated. Will get best and biggest I can.

happy to entertain opinions re brand although I might be somewhat limited here. ill Let you know

thanks again

The Varta LDF range gets a good rep in use for leisure, various sizes up to 140ah.

 

[bigwood]

Not wanting to steal the thread from some one else but I am planning to replace my leisure batteries this year. I have found a couple of retailers are offering less known brand batteries at similar prices. One of them is offering pairs of batteries with five years guarantee. The Varta LA 110 amp I have found at a well known supplier has only two years guarantee.
My gut feeling is to go for a known make with the shorter guarantee. Any thoughts about this would be appreciated.

 

[pappajohn]

Not wanting to steal the thread from some one else but I am planning to replace my leisure batteries this year. I have found a couple of retailers are offering less known brand batteries at similar prices. One of them is offering pairs of batteries with five years guarantee. The Varta LA 110 amp I have found at a well known supplier has only two years guarantee.
My gut feeling is to go for a known make with the shorter guarantee. Any thoughts about this would be appreciated.

In my opinion a 5 year warranty may as well be a 50 year warranty.
If the seller does agree to a warranty claim it will only be a small percentage of the original price and the closer to year 5 the smaller the percentage.

 

[Lenny HB]

Not wanting to steal the thread from some one else but I am planning to replace my leisure batteries this year. I have found a couple of retailers are offering less known brand batteries at similar prices. One of them is offering pairs of batteries with five years guarantee. The Varta LA 110 amp I have found at a well known supplier has only two years guarantee.
My gut feeling is to go for a known make with the shorter guarantee. Any thoughts about this would be appreciated.

As John sat battery warranties not worth the paper they are written on especially if using them for leisure use. They will do a CCA test (starter battery) which it will pass even though useless on a slow discharge for leisure use.

Varta LA are an AGM I would steer clear of them I don't rate AGM for leisure use also you need a proper AGM charger.

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[two]

If not already said, the weight is often a good indication of the quality within.

 

[ctc]

Make sure you buy from a seller with a high turnover, to make sure the batteries haven't been over discharged and been sat on the shelf for months or even years.

 

[bigwood]

Thanks for the input folks. At the moment I have one Banner and one unknown brand as fitted by the dealer we bought the motorhome from. I used Banner batteries for the winch on my Landrover but they are a bit more pricey.
I think it will be Varta Lead Acid 110 amp.

 

[iandsm]

I just replaced my leisure batteries with two 100 amp Yuasa EFB at around £120 each. I am very happy with the way they charge fast a retain a charge. They have a three year warranty but as has been said these warranties are not really to be relied upon. It may be an indication that Yuasa are confident in the product as similar batteries have only two year warranties. There is lots of information on the Yuasa website which is well worth looking at. My thinking is that EFB are probably the way to go if not wanting lithium since many vehicle manufacturers are moving away from AGM because of failings.

 

[edzt]

I just replaced my leisure batteries with two 100 amp Yuasa EFB at around £120 each. I am very happy with the way they charge fast a retain a charge. They have a three year warranty but as has been said these warranties are not really to be relied upon. It may be an indication that Yuasa are confident in the product as similar batteries have only two year warranties. There is lots of information on the Yuasa website which is well worth looking at. My thinking is that EFB are probably the way to go if not wanting lithium since many vehicle manufacturers are moving away from AGM because of failings.

Hi, I’m looking at a pair of these, did you have to change any of the charging or solar settings?
Or, are they ‘drop in’

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[Fdhadi]

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Fairly new here so not sure I’m ok putting this link on.
I have nothing to do with Tayna other than being a satisfied customer.

 

[RM_Marine]

Hi, I’m looking at a pair of these, did you have to change any of the charging or solar settings?
Or, are they ‘drop in’

I've had my two fitted for a year now and started a thread a while back about the EFB and the halfords ones

They are a drop and forget then remember Ed to check the charging and set it right on the mmpt solar after fitting vent piping due to the outside, in the case they off gasing

 

[bigwood]

I might have missed something in my search on Halfords web site but there EFB batteries only go up to 100 amp. It seems a step back as I really wanted to even things up and fit a pair of 110amp.

 

[iandsm]

Hi, I’m looking at a pair of these, did you have to change any of the charging or solar settings?
Or, are they ‘drop in’

No the charger in our Warwick XL (2016) was according to Sargent the manufacturer set up for lead acid. The charging profile of the charger exactly fits the requirement of the batteries 14.4 for bulk and 13.6 for float or you us which is one of the reasons I chose the Yuasa's. Look of Alpha batteries website and search for Yuasa, they have all the information