Best type of leisure battery?
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mariesnowgoose
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Height is about 300-330mm max.
Don't ask! Neil measured it just now, I'd go with 300 to be on the safe side maybe?
wildebus
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I would keep the plate personally, and get a strap underneath to then go over the top to secure.
mariesnowgoose
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It instinctively feels safer to me to have a battery full of nasty stuff sitting on metal rather than wood...
I'm guessing that's maybe why the original fitters used such a base plate in the first place?
The plate is not terribly thick, just a few mm.
I don't know how tall a new/different sort of battery would need to be before it becomes a problem, it at all?
Canalsman
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On board chargers are not the most sophisticated of devices.Apparently Neil said he'd plugged the van into EHU a couple of days ago and that was how the battery was charging?
Unfortunately lead acid batteries are prone to problems such as this. Probably best not to leave them unattended when on long term charge.
wildebus
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my batteries are sitting on the carpet! not something to really overly worry about. battery I am suggested is a GEL one, so that in itself is much safer than the wet acid ones like the Banner Bull for example. With those (wet acid) type, you DO need to take more precautions.It instinctively feels safer to me to have a battery full of nasty stuff sitting on metal rather than wood...
I'm guessing that's maybe why the original fitters used such a base plate in the first place?
mariesnowgoose
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I'm happy to splash cash for something good, reliable and long lasting, just need to know what type as I'm an electronic ignoramus!
barryd
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Its surrounded by all sorts of inflammable stuff anyway so I dont know if a metal plate is going to make much difference if it explodes but you kind of almost achieved that anyway.
I think ours is just on carpet with a wooden frame, cant remember. Its right underneath where my head is when I sleep and has been for 16 years Not the same battery obviously.
Modern maintenance free sealed batteries like an AGM should be absolutely safe as houses. Probably. I'm not qualified to tell you this of course. In fact, take no notice of me, I have no idea what I am talking about.
I think ours is just on carpet with a wooden frame, cant remember. Its right underneath where my head is when I sleep and has been for 16 years
Not the same battery obviously.Modern maintenance free sealed batteries like an AGM should be absolutely safe as houses. Probably.
I'm not qualified to tell you this of course. In fact, take no notice of me, I have no idea what I am talking about. 
mariesnowgoose
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Thanks for the kind offer, Kev
I was halfway through ordering wildebus's recommended battery when I went orf to eat me tea!
After the interim I just carried on with purchasing his recommended battery where I'd left off and didn't see these latest posts, so "too late!" was the cry...
Anyway, a 12V 160AH Expedition Plus Lead Carbon Gel Ultra Deep Cycle Battery (EXP12-160C) should wing its way to David's by Wednesday
barryd
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Thanks for the kind offer, Kev
I was halfway through ordering wildebus's recommended battery when I went orf to eat me tea!
After the interim I just carried on with purchasing his recommended battery where I'd left off and didn't see these latest posts, so "too late!" was the cry...
Anyway, a 12V 160AH Expedition Plus Lead Carbon Gel Ultra Deep Cycle Battery (EXP12-160C) should wing its way to David's by Wednesday
That sounds good. All you need now is a 100-120w panel, MPPT controller and you can sit in the same field off grid all summer just like me!
mariesnowgoose
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That sounds good. All you need now is a 100-120w panel, MPPT controller and you can sit in the same field off grid all summer just like me!
Oh, I really wish, Barry! Here's hoping....
All I need to finally sort out if that's done is the best way to connect to the internet when going off in the van for much longer periods.
I keep starting to read all the (dozens?!) of threads about which is the best data provider, what type of wifi, Mifi, sim data card, booster ariels..... then my eyes begin to glaze over and I just freeze like a rabbit in the headlights!
Phil (Admin) did try to explain to me the best options (at the time) at a Druridge meet a few years ago, but I wasn't able to scribble notes fast enough plus my brain went into meltdown after about 2 hours of one-sided technical talk in his van ... !!!
(Sorry Phil, you just know way too much stuff!
)
Boris7
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Netgear nitehawk
wildcamping.co.uk
Job done
Mobile router recommendations.
I’m in a good reception area but trying to watch live sport on sky go on my iPad or trying to watch live sport / streaming with my firestick all with my mifi is a waste of time. Constantly buffering or poor picture quality. I’ve been browsing the internet but my head is scrambled, that much...
wildcamping.co.uk
Job done
mariesnowgoose
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Netgear nitehawk
Mobile router recommendations.
I’m in a good reception area but trying to watch live sport on sky go on my iPad or trying to watch live sport / streaming with my firestick all with my mifi is a waste of time. Constantly buffering or poor picture quality. I’ve been browsing the internet but my head is scrambled, that much...
Job done
We used Netgear routers a few years ago, they were one of the best at the time.
We're with EE broadband at home and I note Barry and one two others use EE for mobile data when they're off travelling.
I need to sit down and look at it all, understand it properly and make a proper list of exactly what kit and services we need
Canalsman
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I do think this is all made overly complicated.We used Netgear routers a few years ago, they were one of the best at the time.
We're with EE broadband at home and I note Barry and one two others use EE for mobile data when they're off travelling.
I need to sit down and look at it all, understand it properly and make a proper list of exactly what kit and services we need
I keep it really simple.
I have my Android phone on one network with a 150Gb data allowance and use this as my principal data source.
I have a MiFi device on a different network with a 30Gb data allowance and use this as my data source in the event that the phone has no mobile connectivity.
And that's it.
I've been using this setup for many years now, both in the UK and abroad, and never needed anything else.
barryd
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Oh, I really wish, Barry! Here's hoping....
All I need to finally sort out if that's done is the best way to connect to the internet when going off in the van for much longer periods.
I keep starting to read all the (dozens?!) of threads about which is the best data provider, what type of wifi, Mifi, sim data card, booster ariels..... then my eyes begin to glaze over and I just freeze like a rabbit in the headlights!
Phil (Admin) did try to explain to me the best options (at the time) at a Druridge meet a few years ago, but I wasn't able to scribble notes fast enough plus my brain went into meltdown after about 2 hours of one-sided technical talk in his van ... !!!
(Sorry Phil, you just know way too much stuff!
All I use is my mobile hotspot but I do sometimes carry a second sim in my phone. Vodafone is my main contract and EE is usually a PAYG in slot two. Generally covers all bases. I carry an ancient iBoost wifi antenna and router also but I seldom use it these days. As long as you have a decent data allowance, turn your hot spot on on your phone and away you go.
I do however pick where I am going carefully and do check online with the various coverage checkers how good the signal will be. When its very weak I think this is where the complicated (And expensive) kit can be useful but its never been an issue for me really because its very rare there isn't a single on one or the other.
alcam
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For me simple IS best . I do have a couple of mifi things knocking about but don't see any need for them .
Use phone as hotspot . Connect to fire stick , tablet etc . Only problem can be shortage of gBs abroad . Back to using popit which should be fine . Can always buy a sim abroad for very little
Boris7
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My phone is on EE which I can use as a router, and the nighthawk has a 3 sim unlimited and pre-paid it’s unusual for the nighthawk / 3 sim to not give better service than the phone, rarely has it been below 200mbps
Obviously different people have different needs, but I rely on the internet heavily, and carry the nighthawk every where I go.
Obviously different people have different needs, but I rely on the internet heavily, and carry the nighthawk every where I go.