Hi Guys,

I am fitting a leisure battery to my Troll 550 that I bought in Germany last year. The guy I've hired to do the work has told me not to bother buying an AGM or gel battery as a standard leisure battery with vent is just as good and a fraction of the cost. I had heard that you shouldn't fit standard batteries in the habitation area so am confused/ worried by his recommendation. It will be situated under the seating arrangement which will also be my 3 year old's bed. He does say that he will be building a box to house the battery, not sure if that makes a difference??

Any help or advice appreciated!

Dez

Hi Daz, My 2012 Familia had a GEL battery fitted from New, my 2015 Familia has a wet vented battery fitted from New. Both batteries are in the living area under the seat near the wardrobe..
The batteries were not fitted in any box's either, just clamped to the floor.

Thanks Poptop, I'll go with the guys advice and opt for the cheaper version then. I'm fitting a Truma Therme TT2 as well, do you have experience of them?

HI,

My understanding is that the battery types are more to do with their longevity. A gel battery, so my understanding is better when it comes to what they refer to a deep cycling. Basically this is the battery's ability to run flat and be recharged, they might be more expensive but will have an overall longer life than a wet battery.

You mentioned safety as a flagged concern. All wet batteries have two potential problems:

1) leaking of battery acid in circumstances where the battery is knocked over, ie not secured properly or in the event of some form of crash or collision.
2) All wet batteries will let of gases. These must be properly vented out of the battery housing to the out side. I am sure this will not be a problem if your battery has troll has been manufactured to hold a standard wet battery, but it is a point worth looking at. I have a Triton and the battery is under the seat/bed next to the wardrobe and fitted with a gel battery at manufacture. There does not seem to be any additional venting so I would be a little concerned at fitting a standard wet battery.

The camping and caravan club article on batteries is worth reading: http://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co....sure-batteries/

My comments for what they are worth.

Clippie

No second thoughts, fit a Gel battery, or an AGM, do not use a common or garden lead acid, not worth the risk.

I have made some enquires regarding my battery with the assistance of Jean at Jandi. It is a Vented Varta Professional Dual Purpose AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat), the battery and automony pack was fitted by Hymer in their Eriba factory.
I assumed that as it was a wet battery as it was vented but I was wrong..

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