batteries again ?

freelanderuk

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i have a solar panel fitted (85watt i think and regulator) i am looking for new leisure batteries, at the moment i have 3 85amp fitted and linked with short 10mm cable , would i be better getting 1 big battery at say 180amp or 3 at 85amp ,any thoughts on this please
 
hi. i usually try to get the same size as the engine battery .on mine its 100amp.i have 2x200amp and2x100amp .i think having only the one panel you will struggle to keep them topped up. depends on your use .i now have 6x80wt panels .worked really well this winter while in spain and maroc . you never know when the engine battery will fail so by having a spare in your leisure bank can pay dividens, batteries are expensive outside uk. i use normal wet truck batteries as leisure batteries ,find them to work as good as any others.
 
thanks for reply , but do you think it would be better if i get rid of the 3x 85amp batteries and replace with 1 180amp battery or relpace like for like 3 x 85amp
 
i am not the best with batteries as all my ones are sourced from scrap or salvage yards and have never had a problem as yet .but if you replace your three 85 amp batts with one 185 amp then arnt you going from 255 amps to 185 amps and should the single battery fail for any reason you will be left without power and as vwalan says if your main starter battery shoud fail ,you will be able to replace it with one of your leasure batteries i would stick to three say 100 amp ones
 
freelanderuk said:
i have a solar panel fitted (85watt i think and regulator) i am looking for new leisure batteries, at the moment i have 3 85amp fitted and linked with short 10mm cable , would i be better getting 1 big battery at say 180amp or 3 at 85amp ,any thoughts on this please
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So much depends on the usage that your batteries get.

My own set up is two 100amp/hr lesiure batteries being charged via two solar panels with a total out put of 185 watts via a shaudt regulator. this regulator enables a small charge to be diverted to the van battery thus keeping it topped up also. My point is that even in this country using the van in winter with the heating on for days on end I have not has to resort to being on hook up.

That said my preference would be one or more leisure batteries say 120 amp/hr and a small up grade on the panels to glean more power from the free sun.

Wanderer
 
the problem i have is space , at the moment i can get the 3 x 85amp batteries secured but it is a right pain and mess about to check and top up the water, , i am not to sure about 1 of the batteries and i think its on its way out , with 1 large 180amp it would make life a lot easier for securing and checking , i am in the processes of changing all the lights to led and have just bought a low powered led tv , i tell the wife to put on extra jumper rather than use the blower for the heating, i have a battery master to keep the starter battery topped up and this battery was replaced in January
 
freelanderuk said:
the problem i have is space , at the moment i can get the 3 x 85amp batteries secured but it is a right pain and mess about to check and top up the water, , i am not to sure about 1 of the batteries and i think its on its way out , with 1 large 180amp it would make life a lot easier for securing and checking , i am in the processes of changing all the lights to led and have just bought a low powered led tv , i tell the wife to put on extra jumper rather than use the blower for the heating, i have a battery master to keep the starter battery topped up and this battery was replaced in January
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Well it seems that you have all the bases covered. However two or more batteries would still be my choice and after all you should only need to check them once or twice a year. I would suggest that you take the suspected duff one out and check it seperately
Always best to replace all batteries together and make sure they are all made at the same time and are brand new not ones that have sat on a concrete floor for the last year or so.
Wanderer
 
i ended up getting 1 large 180amp battery from lucas /alpha batteries for £124.99 delivered next day delivery , as space was tight and it was a job to get 3 batteries under the back of the van, plus i can do away with the connecting leads now.
thanks all for the comments and help
 
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