As above really, we have just purchased a little Swift Conqueror 640 Salon and wondered what battery would be best for it, mainly for when we cannot get EHU, i dont know whether different vans need different batteries (newb alert) and where the best or rather cheapest place is to get one, any help much appreciated,
2 x 85/6 AH is the best option IMO - one can be carried in the car if necessary. Numax sealed leisure batteries seem to be good and the 86 AH is compact. I had very good service from this company and their prices are keen.
you need to find a company near to you that supplies lgv electrical goods....i use a company called transfast but they are in radcliffe in manchester ...i got a 110amp battery from them all in for £79.00.......have a look for companys like that they will normally supply things like batterys,lights,alternators ect ect
------------- chevy dayvan 5.7 v8 pulling a bailey senator carolina doing about 10 to the gallon but having fun fun fun
After my hassle of having to drag a 110 a/H dead battery, still in warranty, 300 miles back from cornwall, I might consider a battery from a national outlet such as Halfords next time I buy one. Had I done so this time, I could have taken the battery about 7 miles to the local Halfords in Truro.
Having said that, I did find a website (Elecsol) that advertises leisure batteries that are sealed (no maintenance required) and have a 5-year warranty. About £25 more expensive, but should be more reliable for a reasonable period, otherwise a warranty like that would cost them dear.
I would have a look at the sterling power website before splashing out on gel batteries. Apparently they are good for jetskis etc. but their performance doesn't match lead acid. You can get sealed maintenance-free lead acid batteries.
Quote: Originally posted by scottishflower2000 on 18/8/2009
"Another newb alert" Any reason you can't use a normal car battery?
A car battery is manufactured with thinner lead plates inside to increase the surface area in the elecrolyte to deliver the charge at a higher current necessary for starting a car engine. The down side is these plates break down quickly if the depth of discharge is too deep as is required for leisure use. A car battery can be used in a caravan but it wouldn't last as long as a leisure battery.
Quote: Originally posted by robin52 on 18/8/2009
I have an elecsol 110 sealed one. Had it a year so far and very pleased with it. No hassle. You really need a 110 ah if you have a motormover
I go along with the following, which I've 'borrowed' from another forum:
The battery rating 110/85Ah primarily referees to the size or capacity of the battery. In simple terms a fully charged 110A battery can supply 1Amp for 110 Hours or 110A for 1 hour. and the same process applies for the 85Ah battery. in practice it is a bit more complex than that but its good enough for this explanation.
All batteries will have a maximum current output rate. What it is depends on the individual battery design. Car batteries are often designed to provide 400 to 600 A peak current to start the car, Leisure batteries are designed for a less demanding output, but most should cope with the peak demand of your mover without distress.
The two figures for the current the mover uses relate as follows.
The 120A is effectively the stall current. The mover uses this amount of current for a small fraction of a second whilst it actually begins to turn the motor. as soon as the motor is turning the current very rapidly drops to some thing close to the lower value of 20A All this happens within less than a second, unless the wheel is jammed and it cant move.
Most movers are only normally needed for a few minutes just to position the caravan, most times it is less than 6 min. in total. 6 mins is one tenth of an hour, so if it was using 20A for 6min. that equates to only 2Ah power usage plus a bit for the starting current which should be negligible compared to the power used whilst actually moving, because of its very short duration.
I have a 110AHr and 85AHr and there is no difference when using the mover. Larger capacity (110AHr) batteries are probably a must if rallying or using cs/cl with no hook-up.
I've had to buy another as the TGB's took mine when they recently lifted my van. Bought both 110 amps sealed units from Lucas Direct on eBay for under £80, delivered (within two days of order). First time they sent me a 130 amp by mstake and when I told them they simply said "happy days!". Not so lucky second time round but even the larger capacity battery fitted my locker which can be in issue on some vans I believe.