Last time we where away was May all seemed well although thinking about it motor mover was sluggish. Anyway as I was checking the troll for the summer meet I turned on the light in the van only to discover nothing. I plugged the van in and charged the battery for a good 36 hours. I have now checked with multi meter admittedly straight away (I know I should wait at least a couple of hours) and the battery appears to be loosing charge as you watch.

I have now put the battery on charger on a fast charge which I will leave on all night. If the battery is goosed as I suspect I will order one from Alpha Batteries Rochdale. They seem a good firm and guarantee for 4/5years depending on how much you shell out. Its looking like I will go for a 110 as they aren't that much heavier or bigger than the 85/90. Price is also nominal I will have to make a fresh battery holder not much of a problem.
We will see tomorrow when I check battery again hey ho there's always something!

How old is your battery? Unfortunately they don't last forever

It might be worth taking the battery out of the van and connecting it to a smart charger, that might bring it back in line, but if it's more than 4 or 5 years old just get a new one :)

If your van has the factory-fitted BIP unit charger, and you have a mover, then you might as well go for any make of battery around 100Ah.

When I upgrade or add charging systems from the factory-fitted BIP unit to a modern 3-stage charger I always recommend the Varta/ Bosch Powerframe series, especially where a motor mover is fitted.

The latest Varta/Bosch model is the LFD90 (same manufacture, different badge).

There's lots of information on these batteries here.

Alpha Batteries sell the Bosch (their website price is inclusive of delivery so you may pay less if collecting yourself)

On checking the battery this morning the right side of the battery has swollen so it's fair to say it's had it. I then remembered I had taken a van battery off my van which was only 18 months old (another story). It's a heavy duty as the van was diesel it's been stood a good 6 months since I charged it last at least. I checked it with my meter and all was ok it's lighter and smaller than a leisure battery as well I wonder?

Battery in motor mover connected it went off the drive like Yusane Bolt on steroids. Now in my mind in theory all batteries are built on the same principal. Leisure battery has thicker plates more lead and holds charge better off grid. As I don't go off grid in my mind this will work ok. Unless anyone knows different I only use motormover without being on EHU and all sites I book on I book EHU. What do you think I know it won't last as long but it will do until it burns out won't it?

Quote: Morphy wrote in post #4

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What do you think I know it won't last as long but it will do until it burns out won't it?

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Not sure how old it was in the van when I bought it of Agger member on here. Agger may be along in a while and maybe able to throw some light on it.

Thanks JohnE for your advice the van battery is a sealed battery. If I decide to order a leisure battery I'll probably take your advice on the varta.

Have you considered the new lithium batteries? I will probably get an X30 when my current battery exipres. The cost twice the price, but only weigh 5kg (handy if you have a spare wheel and motor mover and are getting close to the mtplm of your van) and last for a lot longer.

My local dealer is now stocking them alongside the regular batteries and says they have had several good reports from customers. You can also get them online.

http://www.powerxtremebatteries.co.uk/

http://www.southeastcaravans.co.uk/powerxtreme-x30

https://www.kimberleycaravans.co.uk/ (my local dealer)

Quote: Morphy wrote in post #6

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Not sure how old it was in the van when I bought it of Agger member on here. Agger may be along in a while and maybe able to throw some light on it.

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Our Battery is also the original one that came with van. It is therefore 10 years old still going strong touch wood

Thank you PhilipM I will have a look at them cheers Agger you cant complain at that then that was value for money.

Quote: Morphy wrote in post #11

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Thank you PhilipM I will have a look at them.

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Well after careful consideration and weighing up the options I decided to go with the x30 lithium contacted Kimberley caravans price £389. Contacted Southeast caravans £369 £20 difference but very expensive. I rang Southeast to order one, the guy said ok I asked do you have them in stock er no I will contact supplier if I can! was his reply. Alarm bells, I gave my number and awaited his call this was yesterday morning I am still waiting now.

I have just ordered what JohnE recommended and have gone with the Varta LFD90 cheapest I found this battery delivered was £96.95p. Also has a 4 year guarantee the firm is located in Stockport so any problems I can return the battery in person. Not that I suspect there to be any problems the battery has a cracking write up thank you JohnE for pointing me that way. And just for good measure I have bought a battery tray to put the said battery in as an added precaution.