Hi All, I have seen some threads about batteries and wonder if someone could give me some help with regard to the best and most suitable battery for my 2016 Troll 542GT. I am concious that there are various types of battery and you have to have the right charger for some. There are wet lead acid batteries, non-wet , gel, agm and others. I would like a 105/110Ah, type B suitable for motor mover, sealed but I'm sure about what my charger will charge? I rarely go off-grid. I would like a battery with a single handle because of the location and lifting it out from under the bed in 542. Any help would be appreciated.

Colin

most batteries come with 2 handles. sure you could make up a wooden handle to join the two up.
Think mine is an AGM (2015 Triton). You need to select the right battery on the Schaudt 409 unit to ensure you get the right charging pattern.
AGM are good at holding their charge during storage, but must be fully charged before storing to avoid deterioration.

Hi Thank you, I didn't realise that there was a selector on the charging unit. I'll jave a look when I next go to the van.

Colin

I've looked at the manual which basically just says if it's set incorrectly it could lead to an explosion and do not change the settings. Where an what is it and is it obvious what to change it to?

Colin

I will check my battery type and 409 settings later on and let you know. The manual suggests there are 2 settings, Lead acid and Lead Gel.

Further to this one, here is my setup.

The battery is AGM 95Ah. (it doesn't say on it, but the makers website confirms this).
The switch on the Schaudt 409 unit is set to the Gel position (up). the other position is for normal lead acid batteries. The switch is the tiny red switch next to the blue fuse (ignore my finger, it is just holding the wires out of the way).


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Steve

Just been having a read on a German site (interesting translation). Seems that the CSV409A isn't strictly compatible with AGM batteries as the final charge voltage is 14.3v whereas the optimum charge for AGM batteries is between 14.6v & 14.8v. This is probably why there isn't an AGM setting. The poster also said he visited Hymer to see what they fit from new, that being AGM with the CSV409A. Apparently Gel batteries are not so good with caravan movers.

AGM batteries are susceptible to being overcharged so having a lower than optimal final charge voltage is probably a good.
I haven't noticed any problems with my setup, although AL said they fitted a new battery before I collected it.

AGM batteries are very common now as they are used for cars with start - stop systems, and therefore are almost as cheap as standard lead/acid batteries. Gel batteries are 3 to 4 times the cost.

I think more investigation is needed.

Thank you all very much especially the pics. Looks like an agm with switch up when its time to change.
Excellent thank you.

Colin

Mine certainly seems ok. I have seen on another forum that Schaudt recommend the lead/gel setting for AGM but haven't found any confirmation on any official Schaudt source yet.

My 2015 Familia has a Vented Varta Professional Dual Purpose AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) model LA95 @ 95Ah, the battery and automony pack was fitted by Hymer from new. I have a Reich motor mover fitted, Reich recommended a minimum of 75Ah for a motor mover. What have you got fitted at the moment?

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Hi, mine's a bit weird as I bought the van from AL secondhand and it already had a battery but I couldn't tell what it was but guessed it was a typical wet lead acid. I phoned the manufacturer of the battery and told me it was actually a car battery. I too have a Reich motor mover and don't go offgrid but noticed the battery seemed to be straining when manoeuvring onto my slightly sloping drive. Hence my query.

A standard car battery isn't really the right type as they are designed for a quick blast to start the car, followed by a charging cycle. You really need a deep cycle /traction battery to provide quite a high power draw over a longer period. One forum I was looking at with a contributor who seemed to be a battery specialist suggested that AGM and Gel batteries don't have the same electrolyte refresh rate that a wet battery has, starving the battery during high power draw, which can reduce power take off after a short period. In my case (with an AGM battery), I only use the mover to get the van on and off my short drive, so only moves about 20 feet at any time, and haven't notice any problems so far.

This is a useful site as they match batteries to their use. Interesting that for motor movers they don't necessarily specify AGM. Also give full battery specs such as post type and dimensions so you should be able to get the right battery to fit your space.

https://advancedbatterysupplies.co.uk/pr...over-batteries/

This isn't a recommendation of this particular site though, there are plenty of others.

Thank you all for your information and comments.

I am bl**dy glad my 320 doesnt have a battery after this lot

at least there is only one to worry about. Our boat has 5 of them!