Leisure battery replacement in Portugal

[ForeignShaws]

We're 3 weeks in to an 8 week trip, currently on the West Coast of Portugal about 100 miles north of Lisbon. Our leisure battery looks as though it has breathed its last, as the voltage went down quicker than the sun last night.
I spent all morning ringing potential suppliers in Figueira da Foz & Coimbra without success, including 'battery specialists'. Only one had a leisure battery, but it was too big for my battery box, which is a through floor so not easy to modify.
I'm not looking for anything fancy, a plain lead acid replacement of the original 100Ah Banner 957 51 or it's equivalent.
I'm figuring that Lisbon is my best chance on Monday, or pitch up somewhere and order on-line for delivery.
Has anyone any suggestions?

 

[bobandjanie]

JJ Might be able to suggest someone. Bob .

 

[Lenny HB]

If you use EHU most of the time you could fit a cheap starter battery to get you through the trip.

 

[ForeignShaws]

JJ Might be able to suggest someone. Bob .

Thanks Bob.

 

[glastry]

Tayna batterys, must be worth a call, over the years we have had many deliveries,
Mostly to portugal, good luck.

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[ForeignShaws]

If you use EHU most of the time you could fit a cheap starter battery to get you through the trip.

Thanks Lenny, but EHU tends to be the exception rather than the rule. We much prefer the variety of Aires and random pitch ups available to motorhomers, although SWMBO does like a few nights on a site from time to time.

 

[ForeignShaws]

Tayna batterys, must be worth a call, over the years we have had many deliveries,
Mostly to portugal, good luck.

Thanks glastry, I'll give them a try on Monday.

 

[starquake]

Bear in mind though any lead acid (or Lithium) you buy will likely not be fully charged on delivery. Ie, plan for EHU or a very long drive to charge it, or be dissapointed.

I think the industry standard I've experienced is charged to 70% at best case. And you really should fully charge before first real use.

If you buy from a "non big store" you probbaly can arrange for them to whack it on a charger before you get there ...

 

[ForeignShaws]

Bear in mind though any lead acid (or Lithium) you buy will likely not be fully charged on delivery. Ie, plan for EHU or a very long drive to charge it, or be dissapointed.

I think the industry standard I've experienced is charged to 70% at best case. And you really should fully charge before first real use.

If you buy from a "non big store" you probbaly can arrange for them to whack it on a charger before you get there ...

Thanks for the tip starquake, not something I'd considered. The problem I seem to have at the moment of finding anyone that stocks leisure batteries, so my fall back position will be an on-line delivery to wherever we are, at which point I only have my Sargeant charger or solar, but I guess if I'm driving both the engine and solar will be charging without any drain.

 

[Reallyretired]

I've bought several batteries over the years from Tayna and most have been pretty well charged on receipt 70%+

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[ForeignShaws]

I've bought several batteries over the years from Tayna and most have been pretty well charged on receipt 70%+

Thanks Reallyretired, that's another vote for Tanya.

 

[PG]

We're 3 weeks in to an 8 week trip, currently on the West Coast of Portugal about 100 miles north of Lisbon. Our leisure battery looks as though it has breathed its last, as the voltage went down quicker than the sun last night.
I spent all morning ringing potential suppliers in Figueira da Foz & Coimbra without success, including 'battery specialists'. Only one had a leisure battery, but it was too big for my battery box, which is a through floor so not easy to modify.
I'm not looking for anything fancy, a plain lead acid replacement of the original 100Ah Banner 957 51 or it's equivalent.
I'm figuring that Lisbon is my best chance on Monday, or pitch up somewhere and order on-line for delivery.
Has anyone any suggestions?

Norauto

Thanks Reallyretired, that's another vote for Tanya.

Norauto are online and you can see what batteries they have ,and they have shops too.
I think the french online has more batteries from memory but getting it sent to Portugal could be tricky.

If you avoid the toll road and you are coming down towards Faro from Lisbon there are a couple of camper shops I passed but don't remember names or towns sorry.

 

[ForeignShaws]

Thanks PG. I did call Norauto in Figueira and they told me they didn't stock leisure batteries, but I guess it would be easier if I can get some battery references equivalent to the Banner I have. It would then be a matter of asking for the specifics - they could search stock more easily.
I'm hoping for some camper shops in/around Lisbon, otherwise I'll check out towards Faro, thanks.

 

[Nomad.]

We're 3 weeks in to an 8 week trip, currently on the West Coast of Portugal about 100 miles north of Lisbon. Our leisure battery looks as though it has breathed its last, as the voltage went down quicker than the sun last night.
I spent all morning ringing potential suppliers in Figueira da Foz & Coimbra without success, including 'battery specialists'. Only one had a leisure battery, but it was too big for my battery box, which is a through floor so not easy to modify.
I'm not looking for anything fancy, a plain lead acid replacement of the original 100Ah Banner 957 51 or it's equivalent.
I'm figuring that Lisbon is my best chance on Monday, or pitch up somewhere and order on-line for delivery.
Has anyone any suggestions?

Yes,find the nearest boat chandler’s there are plenty on the coast of Portugal.They will also have knowledge of leisure batteries.

 

[ForeignShaws]

Yes,find the nearest boat chandler’s there are plenty on the coast of Portugal.They will also have knowledge of leisure batteries.

That's a good shout, thanks Nomad. Hadn't thought that boats must have leisure batteries.

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[OldCodger]

If you aren’t yet sorted try these guys in Caldas de Raihna , Primeiro Carro, just off the A8 which may be on your route south!

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ap7M4ywZ5fm9FvQ1A?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

When our cab battery packed up earlier this year while staying at Foz do Arelho they sorted us out on the spot. They are a Motorhome sales/repair place, modern facilities and some English speakers.

Just take care driving in, the gate posts are solid and narrow. It was expensive !

The battery wasn’t.

Oh, and if you haven’t already been the large Aire at Foz do Arelho is well worth a visit!

 

[MichaelT]

Just look for a motorhome or caravan dealer they normally stock them.

 

[Lenny HB]

Be aware most leisure batteries are starter batteries with a different label stuck on them. The give away is when they state a CCA rating.

But there are some good dual purpose batteries from Varta & Exide.

 

[DandJ]

Just google Motorhome dealer/service Lisbon....it comes up with a list...work down the list. (There's dozens)

Campingtorres

Dois jovens, que até então se haviam dedicado ao ramo automóvel, decidem enveredar por uma área especifica, dedicando-se, assim, exclusivamente ao caravanismo. Sete anos mais tarde, o espaço comercial existente começa a tornar-se pequeno para s

campingtorres.pt

 

[ForeignShaws]

If you aren’t yet sorted try these guys in Caldas de Raihna , Primeiro Carro, just off the A8 which may be on your route south!

https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ap7M4ywZ5fm9FvQ1A?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy

When our cab battery packed up earlier this year while staying at Foz do Arelho they sorted us out on the spot. They are a Motorhome sales/repair place, modern facilities and some English speakers.

Just take care driving in, the gate posts are solid and narrow. It was expensive !

The battery wasn’t.

Oh, and if you haven’t already been the large Aire at Foz do Arelho is well worth a visit!

Thanks OldCodger, that looks like a result. We're only an hour north so it'd be easy to roll up there Monday morning. The reviews look good and especially mention leisure batteries, which has got to be a bonus.
Thanks for the tip on the Aire. It might be good to park up there for the afternoon and let the solar top up the battery before we put it to use.

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[ForeignShaws]

Just google Motorhome dealer/service Lisbon....it comes up with a list...work down the list. (There's dozens)

Campingtorres

Dois jovens, que até então se haviam dedicado ao ramo automóvel, decidem enveredar por uma área especifica, dedicando-se, assim, exclusivamente ao caravanismo. Sete anos mais tarde, o espaço comercial existente começa a tornar-se pequeno para s

campingtorres.pt

Thanks DandJ, I'll try that tomorrow once the open.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Order a lithium from ecoworthy they will deliver to where you want in Portugal. The sizes should be ok to fit if you check and they are good value compared to lead acid.
A 100ah is around 220 euros

eco-worthy-es

eco-worthy-es

es.eco-worthy.com

 

[Emmit]

Be aware most leisure batteries are starter batteries with a different label stuck on them. The give away is when they state a CCA rating.

But there are some good dual purpose batteries from Varta & Exide.

"Be aware most leisure batteries are starter batteries with a different label stuck on them. The give away is when they state a CCA rating."

C'mon Len. Opportunity to educate.
What do you mean.

 

[Lenny HB]

"Be aware most leisure batteries are starter batteries with a different label stuck on them. The give away is when they state a CCA rating."

C'mon Len. Opportunity to educate.
What do you mean.

Exactly what I said, CCA is Cold Cranking Amps how starter batteries are rated.

 

[Emmit]

Exactly what I said, CCA is Cold Cranking Amps how starter batteries are rated.

Does that mean a 'true' leisure battery won't have CCA?
And I assume going on from your original post that 'the big Boys' ie Excise DO produce a combined leisure/starter battery.

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[activecampers]

I'd not overly worry about LA leisure battery. Just get a correct size battery from any car place and worry about it when you get home and have time to research.

 

[OldCodger]

Thanks OldCodger, that looks like a result. We're only an hour north so it'd be easy to roll up there Monday morning. The reviews look good and especially mention leisure batteries, which has got to be a bonus.
Thanks for the tip on the Aire. It might be good to park up there for the afternoon and let the solar top up the battery before we put it to use.

The Aire at Foz is large and right on the sea front (it’s a lagoon). €6 a night without hook up. Great place to chill. Restaurants along the front and nice easy walks all around the area. It is a favourite of many Funsters. Other places around worth a look Obidos, Sao Martinho do Porto, Tomar (I live there) Peniche, Nazare (for surfing)

Enjoy!

 

[Lenny HB]

Does that mean a 'true' leisure battery won't have CCA?
And I assume going on from your original post that 'the big Boys' ie Excise DO produce a combined leisure/starter battery.

Yes & yes, it's the cheaper leisure batteries that are best avoided.

 

[ForeignShaws]

Order a lithium from ecoworthy they will deliver to where you want in Portugal. The sizes should be ok to fit if you check and they are good value compared to lead acid.
A 100ah is around 220 euros

eco-worthy-es

eco-worthy-es

es.eco-worthy.com

Thanks Jimbohorlicks, I have thought about a Lithium upgrade, but seeing all the techies discussions on BMS systems, charging profiles, solar management, B2B & the like it does go over my head. I'd rather replace like for like and enjoy the rest of our trip. We're not power hungry, so my limit might be a second battery when we get home, unless I can find an idiots guide to follow, or someone in Northants to show me the way .

 

[ForeignShaws]

Be aware most leisure batteries are starter batteries with a different label stuck on them. The give away is when they state a CCA rating.

But there are some good dual purpose batteries from Varta & Exide.

Something to look out for, thanks Lenny.

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