Lead Acid batteries V Gel

[irnbru]

I think we will need to be replacing our leisure batteries soon. The ones that are currently in the van are 2 x110 banner. Would I be better going for another 2 lead acid 110s or 2x80 amp hr ES900 marine, we are very rarely on EHU. What would give us the best usage?

 

[Winger]

2 Gels for sale in the classifieds but I couldn’t advise

 

[SandraL]

2 x EXIDE GEL LEISURE BATTERY

2 x ES900 EXIDE G80 MARINE GEL LEISURE BATTERY 80AH They are 20 months old from a brand new Carthago MH been in garage for last 6 months and charge kept up with work top charger. I am going to Thetford Bash so can bring along there.

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

Gels are dearer, last longer, can be discharged deeper,. But charge slower, important if using B2B charger to quickly recharge the battery.

Some gels currently in classified adverts.

 

[Lenny HB]

I have always used Gels you can discharge them down to 20% and still get a very good life, the only downside is they need a longer absorption phase to fully charge.
Does your charger have a Gel setting?

 

[irnbru]

I have always used Gels you can discharge them down to 20% and still get a very good life, the only downside is they need a longer absorption phase to fully charge.
Does your charger have a Gel setting?

Oh I’ve no idea about a gel setting.

Was considering those in classifieds but you can never tell how much use they’ve had.

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[Zilevets]

Go for gel if you get them from Tanya batteries they know your address! Lol!

This last lockdown was hard for our batteries even though they were new last year they went very low if they hadn’t been gel I think we would have been replacing them again, they worked very well for the 3 weeks we’ve just been away off hook up.

Liz

 

[Guigsy]

For the cost of a gel battery, how close are you to getting a Lithium? You'd have to consider if your chargers have a lithium setting.

 

[Ivory55]

If lead acid has worked ok so far why change, plus save money.

 

[Lenny HB]

Oh I’ve no idea about a gel setting.

If it hasn't got a gel setting you will only ever get them to 80-90% charged also helps to have a solar regulator with the correct setting.
What is your charger & solar regulator?

At that price I would say those Gels are worth a punt especially if you get the price down a bit,.

 

[Gazz Kaz+Spag]

Those batteries have been looked after and are in very good condition if any one wants the low down you can message me

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[irnbru]

If it hasn't got a gel setting you will only ever get them to 80-90% charged also helps to have a solar regulator with the correct setting.
What is your charger & solar regulator?

At that price I would say those Gels are worth a punt especially if you get the price down a bit,.

Batteries, solar, controllers are something Ive never got to grasps with. The classified ones are certainly on our doorstep for collection. I will come back to you with the answers to your Qs as I will need to find out THx

 

[irnbru]

 

[funflair]

View attachment 493987

That will be OK for Gel.

 

[Phill D]

The cb 522 does gel batteries, as far as I can tell its automatic but not absolutely clear

 

[irnbru]

Ive managed to obtain this photo too.

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[irnbru]

How much longer would they take to recharge v lead 110s with a 150 solar panel? OK SO ... 2 x 110 amp hr lead at 50 %
discharge gives me a usage of 110 amps , compared to 2 x80 amp at 75% discharge rate gives me a usage of 120 amps so I'd be gaining a whole 10 amps to use but maybe not if they take longer to recharge. Have I got this right?

 

[Lenny HB]

Yes about right, the difference with Gels is they need a longer absorption phase to fully charge them, at least 4 hours compared to a standard lead acid of 1 hour. Not as bad as it sounds as the absorption phase only charges at about 1 amp so even when you solar output starts dropping off in the late afternoon you still get enough for the absorption phase.

If you go for Gels you won't be disappointed with them also they have a very long life 10 years is quite common.

Your mains charge says it detects battery type automatically your solar regulator you need to set the switch to Gel.

 

[irnbru]

Thanks for the info. Will make sure to look for the switch before fitting them. Worth a punt from the classified ad. I just hate not having the van here to actually see my solar controller.

 

[CazPaul]

Thanks for the info. Will make sure to look for the switch before fitting them. Worth a punt from the classified ad. I just hate not having the van here to actually see my solar controller.

Our gels are in their 17th year.

 

[donkey]

Our gels are in their 17th year.

Is that the twins Sarah & Susan?
I thought we were talking about batteries

Geoff

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[CazPaul]

Is that the twins Sarah & Susan?
I thought we were talking about batteries

Geoff

Sorry I’m clueless as to what that means there’s some joke or reference in there but I’m non comprehendo

 

[berni109]

CazPaul Realy?
donkey was trying for a play on words. Girls = gels (not)
Never works if you have to explain it.

 

[BillyKontiki]

Go lithium buddy they are pricey but they pack a punch you won’t regret it.

 

[donkey]

While all you lithium guys are here. Do the leisure lithium batteries have LVC? I know my model plane batteries do. If so, do you get a warning shortly before, or does everything just switch off?
Looking at the discharge voltage graphs suggests that monitoring battery volts would be a waste of time, as they hold good healthy readings right up to the rapid decline when near exhaustion.

Geoff

 

[funflair]

While all you lithium guys are here. Do the leisure lithium batteries have LVC? I know my model plane batteries do. If so, do you get a warning shortly before, or does everything just switch off?
Looking at the discharge voltage graphs suggests that monitoring battery volts would be a waste of time, as they hold good healthy readings right up to the rapid decline when near exhaustion.

Geoff

I am guessing that LVC is low volts cutoff or something similar most LiFePO4 habitation batteries will have a built in BMS monitoring system and if not built into the battery it should have a standalone BMS to protect the batteries. Our set up has a separate battery protection device linked to a cut out relay as well. As you say though the voltage holds up well right through the range so making it difficult to judge state of charge from the voltage, a good battery monitor that count amps in and out is a better option.

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[gus-lopez]

I just hate not having the van here to actually see my solar controll

Is it not repaired yet Sandra?I thought you went for it back along?

 

[BillyKontiki]

Yes you’re right when running low they switch off like a light. But most lithium batteries these days have a built in Bms with Bluetooth connectivity so you can track your SOC at anytime.

While all you lithium guys are here. Do the leisure lithium batteries have LVC? I know my model plane batteries do. If so, do you get a warning shortly before, or does everything just switch off?
Looking at the discharge voltage graphs suggests that monitoring battery volts would be a waste of time, as they hold good healthy readings right up to the rapid decline when near exhaustion.

Geoff

 

[irnbru]

Is it not repaired yet Sandra?I thought you went for it back along?

I had an email saying work should be completed next week, It was still be water tested, but the following week was bank holiday and I couldn't wait til Tues, had to get home to mum so just said I'd collect at end of the month.

 

[donkey]

Yes you’re right when running low they switch off like a light. But most lithium batteries these days have a built in Bms with Bluetooth connectivity so you can track your SOC at anytime.

I would fully expect the LVC to cut off supply when triggered, although my plane batteries alert me when I have a couple of minutes of flying time left. Can lead to some scruffy landings!!
However, I am still unsure with these larger batteries. As I said, from the discharge graphs I have seen, the SOC appears to show good healthy voltage until just before the end, when it drops dramatically, giving no timely warning.
I appreciate that a lot of you monitor amps in amps out, but that just adds further kit and expense.
I am just saying, that to achieve maximum from lithiums, I would need to know when the end was nigh, otherwise I would be thinking about recharging unnecessarily, so not getting the apparent benefit from them.

Geoff

 

[andy63]

I am just saying, that to achieve maximum from lithiums, I would need to know when the end was nigh, otherwise I would be thinking about recharging unnecessarily, so not getting the apparent benefit from them.

Whilst I get what you are saying in real world terms you will know when the lithium are getting low on capacity.. I think mine would isolate at 10.5 volts or so..would you let them get that low...,?
They do drop off quickly but running them to say 12.5 v would still give you ample capacity and plenty warning they needed charging..
Remember it doesn't matter what the chemistry..the deeper you cycle any battery the shorter it's lifespan..
Here's the discharge curves on mine..when I had some cause to check them out.. each battery individually and then with the pair paralleled.. but the curves all follow a similar rapid drop off as capacity decreases..but there is still a small drop in voltage as they discharge. ..certainly enough to give a warning of reducing capacity..
Thats on a battery loaded with no charging source like solar connected ..