Replacing leisure battery

[RobPullen]

I’ve read through a number of threads about this issue but there is so much info I can’t get to the nub if the issue.
I need to replace my leisure battery, it has dropped to 6v when fully charged after a period of inactivity (solar was still connected but not getting enough direct light I imagine as it was stored indoors with only a skylight to provide some daylight) and is obviously no longer any good. It is a Varta LA95 95amh (c20) 85Ah (c5)
In looking for a replacement, I can’t find an exact match. Do I need to be looking for anything specific as a replacement?
I know very little about leisure batteries, so need to learn quickly!
Thanks for any advice.

 

[pagey]

I’ve read through a number of threads about this issue but there is so much info I can’t get to the nub if the issue.
I need to replace my leisure battery, it has dropped to 6v when fully charged after a period of inactivity (solar was still connected but not getting enough direct light I imagine as it was stored indoors with only a skylight to provide some daylight) and is obviously no longer any good. It is a Varta LA95 95amh (c20) 85Ah (c5)
In looking for a replacement, I can’t find an exact match. Do I need to be looking for anything specific as a replacement?
I know very little about leisure batteries, so need to learn quickly!
Thanks for any advice.

Lenny is your man to answer this I have just fitted 2 varta lfd90 to mine .. as the one you quote has now bee superseeded

 

[Richard n Ann]

I’ve read through a number of threads about this issue but there is so much info I can’t get to the nub if the issue.
I need to replace my leisure battery, it has dropped to 6v when fully charged after a period of inactivity (solar was still connected but not getting enough direct light I imagine as it was stored indoors with only a skylight to provide some daylight) and is obviously no longer any good. It is a Varta LA95 95amh (c20) 85Ah (c5)
In looking for a replacement, I can’t find an exact match. Do I need to be looking for anything specific as a replacement?
I know very little about leisure batteries, so need to learn quickly!
Thanks for any advice.

Luckily yours is the same dimensions as the Exide gel battery I bought, much better than AGM I've heard

ES900 Exide G80 Marine Leisure Equipment GEL Battery 80Ah

ES900 Exide Marine & Leisure Equipment GEL Battery Exide are one of the leading battery companies in the world and have been delivering quality in the sector for more than 130 years! Exide has introduced its next generation of car/light vehicle batteries. The range is developed in Exide’s...

www.tayna.co.uk

 

[Lenny HB]

Your battery is an AGM not the best for leisure use, have a look at your charger to see what settings it has for charging.
As pagey the LDF90's are good for a standard battery, & the Gel that Richard n Ann is very good if your charger has a Gel setting.

 

[Spriddler]

As Richard n Ann mentioned Tayna have a good reputation as a supplier.

Leisure Batteries - Cheap Leisure Battery - Next Day Delivery

Looking for a Leisure Battery? We have the largest range of leisure batteries in the UK, stocking all of the large brands such as Varta and Exide. We offer next day delivery across the UK and we also offer fast delivery across Europe at very competitive rates.

www.tayna.co.uk

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[RobPullen]

This is the charger I have… no power currently so not sure whether it will work with a gel or not.

 

[Richard n Ann]

You need a Votronic duo solar controller to go with it then, they also maintain the starter battery and are mppt

Check your mains ehu charger has a gel setting too.

 

[Lenny HB]

This is the charger I have… no power currently so not sure whether it will work with a gel or not.

That is your solar controller its a very basic one it wasn't suitable for your existing battery, worth replacing when you replace the battery.

Need to know what your mains charger is.

 

[RobPullen]

The is for the tips. Just dropped MH back at storage. Only have this visible but this is just the distribution board by the looks of it so charger must be under the battery bay. Don’t have tools with me to look so will have to come back tomorrow.
Does the Votronic Solar Duo work with all makes/types of solar panel?

 

[the1andonly]

Does the Votronic Solar Duo work with all makes/types of solar panel?

All panels intended for motorhome use, eg advertised at 12V 0r 20V will work. Controller has a max VOC of 50V so some modern domestic not acceptable (VOC 60V). Some are acceptable if less than 50V mine is 330W@46V. Votronics A good choice.

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[RobPullen]

Is this the Votronic Duo you are talking about? If so, is this an easy swap? Obviously wiring is in place into and out of the existing one for leisure battery charging at present.

 

[Lenny HB]

Is this the Votronic Duo you are talking about? If so, is this an easy swap? Obviously wiring is in place into and out of the existing one for leisure battery charging at present.
View attachment 594936

Yep that's the one, you might want to fit a larger one if you intend increasing the solar in futuer.

 

[autorouter]

Only have this visible but this is just the distribution board by the looks of it so charger must be under the battery bay.

In case you're wondering, this is an NE196-T made by NordElettronica. If you want a wiring diagram there's one on the website of Delta Conversions, who supply NordElettronica units, kits and parts. As you say, the battery charger is a separate unit.

 

[RobPullen]

Okay. Logical place for the leisure battery charger would be in or under or next to the battery bay, or at least it would be logical to me. Obviously not! Anyone with any ideas where it is likely to be? Is it potentially nearer the mains distribution board?
Just in case anyone has knowledge of this particular van it is a Rollertram 707.

 

[RobPullen]

This looks to me like what I’m looking for. Does this appear to be the mains split charger? Not much in the way of identifying features so unsure how to nnow if it will work with a gel battery.

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[Lenny HB]

Is there a model number somewhere?

 

[RobPullen]

Not visible. Only the label in the picture. Very annoying.

 

[RobPullen]

Is there a model number somewhere?

Actually now I have come away from it and looked the photo of the label, there does appear to be a mode number at the other end. I’ll have to go back and get a better pick.

 

[Richard n Ann]

It's a NORDELETTRONICA NE287
It says it's for gel too and it looks like it has dip switches on it...

<Broken link removed>​

 

[Richard n Ann]

User manual is here but can't see it very well on my phone screen..

Description; Operation; Alarms; Power Supply Mode - Nordelettronica NE287 21A Instruction Manual [Page 4]

Nordelettronica NE287 21A Manual Online: description, Operation, Alarms, Power Supply Mode. Ne287 Is A Charger For Gel And Lead Storage Batteries. The Batteries Should Have A Nominal Voltage Of 12V And A Capacity Of No Less Than 100Ah. The Ne287 Also Works As A Power Supply. Operation:...

www.manualslib.com

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[Lenny HB]

User manual is here but can't see it very well on my phone screen..

Description; Operation; Alarms; Power Supply Mode - Nordelettronica NE287 21A Instruction Manual [Page 4]

Nordelettronica NE287 21A Manual Online: description, Operation, Alarms, Power Supply Mode. Ne287 Is A Charger For Gel And Lead Storage Batteries. The Batteries Should Have A Nominal Voltage Of 12V And A Capacity Of No Less Than 100Ah. The Ne287 Also Works As A Power Supply. Operation:...

www.manualslib.com

Yes that one says it an be set for gel.

 

[autorouter]

Some more useless information... The NE287 is a 3-stage smart charger that can be set to Gel, AGM or standard flooded battery profiles. There are three small switches (DIP Switches). The first two (SW1 and SW2) set the battery charging profile (AGM, Gel, Flooded) depending on the combination of settings. The third switch is for enabling a 'desulphation' cycle, which Gel and AGM batteries do not use, and flooded batteries only require rarely, if ever.

 

[RobPullen]

Well done for that detective work I’m impressed. I did manage to wangle my hand into a position to get a photo and you are bang in with the model. Thanks.
Will I need to adjust the dip switches for a gel battery then? I’m sure I can locate user info online.

 

[Richard n Ann]

Well done for that detective work I’m impressed. I did manage to wangle my hand into a position to get a photo and you are bang in with the model. Thanks.
Will I need to adjust the dip switches for a gel battery then? I’m sure I can locate user info online.

I just googled "roller team 17 amp charger" and looked at the image results

Yes Gel batteries need a bit longer on the absorption phase and it will just tweek the profile

 

[autorouter]

Will I need to adjust the dip switches for a gel battery then? I’m sure I can locate user info online.

Page 5 of the manual. The link is in Richard n Ann' s post #20.

Best to take a photo of it before you change any settings. The existing setting should be AGM, SW1 and 2 to ON OFF. For Gel, change the switches SW1 and 2 to OFF OFF.

The word 'IUoU' means it's a 3-stage intelligent charger. Derived from the Klingon word, I think

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[RobPullen]

I’m fully versed in Klingon so that should help.
Thanks so much to all of you for your help.
Final question (for now hopefully) I am assuming the charger is charging both leisure and starter batteries, so would changing the dip switches and setting it for gel affect the charging of the starter battery?

 

[Raymond Bonello]

I’ve read through a number of threads about this issue but there is so much info I can’t get to the nub if the issue.
I need to replace my leisure battery, it has dropped to 6v when fully charged after a period of inactivity (solar was still connected but not getting enough direct light I imagine as it was stored indoors with only a skylight to provide some daylight) and is obviously no longer any good. It is a Varta LA95 95amh (c20) 85Ah (c5)
In looking for a replacement, I can’t find an exact match. Do I need to be looking for anything specific as a replacement?
I know very little about leisure batteries, so need to learn quickly!
Thanks for any advice.

Next time you get a new battery I prefer 100AMPH. The only things you have to look for is which position are the terminals ie positive and negative, and the size of the battery.

 

[autorouter]

Final question (for now hopefully) I am assuming the charger is charging both leisure and starter batteries, so would changing the dip switches and setting it for gel affect the charging of the starter battery?

The starter battery charging is only a trickle charge, and I'm pretty sure it comes from a separate source unaffected by the DIP switches.

 

[KimSteve]

I’ve read through a number of threads about this issue but there is so much info I can’t get to the nub if the issue.
I need to replace my leisure battery, it has dropped to 6v when fully charged after a period of inactivity (solar was still connected but not getting enough direct light I imagine as it was stored indoors with only a skylight to provide some daylight) and is obviously no longer any good. It is a Varta LA95 95amh (c20) 85Ah (c5)
In looking for a replacement, I can’t find an exact match. Do I need to be looking for anything specific as a replacement?
I know very little about leisure batteries, so need to learn quickly!
Thanks for any advice.

there will be a 'type' notification, that's what you might look for on the replacement if you want like for like. However you are not required to go type for type, you can go higher capacity, look at the battery dimensions. Hope that helps

 

[RobPullen]

Thanks to everyone who has responded in this group, all comments have been really useful.

After a few days of work, I am now looking to get/do the following things.

1. Buy and install a Votronic 250 duo Charge controller (should be a direct swap in out for the current controller by the looks of it.)
2. Buy and fit a Gel leisure battery. (Been looking at the Exide 80AMH Marine Gel but would like to up the AMH a little if possible - previous was 95AMH - any suggestions would be very helpful thanks)
3. Before connecting new battery, adjust the dip switches on the battery charger for Gel as in user manual.

Does this sound right or have missed something?

Thanks again.