Good morning
Having fitted the new bright red Herzim strip (very smart) and re-gassed struts I have now turned my attention to the battery.

Question is, what is it that’s fitted at the moment? It’s called an Elecsol 125 carbon fibre mono bloc. Supposedly dual purpose start/deep cycle. It has a magic eye and 2 inspection plates that I can’t get off... Elecsol as a company are no more but my local supplier thinks it’s a lead acid. Any views on this please?

Assuming it is lead acid, I will replace it. They recommend a 130ah AGM as being the modern way forward (but I guess I will find some help regarding AGM v Gel if I search on the forum?..).
Second question is, assuming I have a lead acid at the moment, is my (BIP) charger capable of charging Gel/AGM batteries? Is there a switch?
Advice appreciated, electrics aren’t my strong point....
Thanks
Bob

I can answer your last question. There is no AGM switch on a 2006 BIP charger.
I disconnected the charging transformer in mine and hard wired in a Ctek smart charger which does have an option for AGM batteries.

There are various posts on here about modifying the BIP, some methods are simpler than others.

Thanks for your replies.
I have confirmed that my present battery is a conventional type. Having now read through some previous posts it seems to me I have 2 options.
1. Update/replace the charging circuit (thanks for the information Ray) and install an AGM/Gel battery or
2. Replace my old Elecsol with another conventional leisure battery like a 90ah Varta LFD90 pro and hope that the existing charging system continues to work ok.
However, It would appear that all conventional batteries should have a vent tube (and I see now that my service engineer commented on this at last service),
Any advice as to how best to do this? Hole in the floor I assume? (but I rather not...) How have others managed this?
Thanks
Bob

My 2015 Familia was provided from new a Vented Varta Professional Dual Purpose AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) model LA95, I have been using the on board charger for the last five years with no issues.

I was surprised the AGM was vented, a small pipe is connected to the battery and drops through a small hole in the floor.

Thanks Poptop and to everyone else who has replied.
I didn’t know that an AGM had to be vented as well so that has decided me. As both my charging systems are working wellI am going to stick with the Varta LFD90 Leisure battery and fit a vent tube.
Phew, it’s a complicated subject.
Bob

And finally....
Having more or less made up my mind to order a Varta LFD90 I have just seen a glowing review of the Yuasu L36 EFD. (andncaravanservices). New technology, just a bit more oomph at 100ah, rather than 90, and a 3 year g’tee rather than 2. Similar size and weight. Price about £20 more.
I know that the Varta is highly thought of but the 10 extra ah and additional g’tee is tempting...
Any thoughts appreciated.
Bob
PS my Reich movers sat 75ah minimum.y

Quote: eribaMotters wrote in post #8

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I think they are also used a lot in motorbikes

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Decision taken.
As we are never off grid and sometimes don’t even use our movers, I am going to stick with my original solid choice of the well respected ‘Powerframe‘ Varta LFD90.
Thanks for you thoughts.
Bob

If you're never off grid, and don' use your mover, why do you need a battery?
Dave

I can’t always manoeuvre the van with the car (although I always like to try), so we need a battery because on occasions we do need the movers...
B

As usual its horses for courses, my LED's by the way dont flicker because I use ac/dc ones. I dont watch TV when camping [or any other time] but do use a computer and wach DVD's, and in 10 years of continental camping I've only known about half a dozen trips / cuts which have been put back on pretty quickly but if you're having some wine and snacks who cares. But I take your point, not everybody camps the way we do nor should they thats the great thing about this life style, its different for everyone
Dave

Quote: eribaMotters wrote in post #12

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Good point Dave, but a few reasons spring to mind, which we have some experience of.
- the battery smooths the 12v supply so led loghts less locly to flicker
- some cheaper tv's do not like the 12v output from the transformer and run better on the smoother supply offered by the battery
- mains power loss on continental sites is not uncommon, the continentals without batteries appearing from there vans wondering why the UK owners still have the lights on.
I got round the above by fitting a small Yuasa NP7-12L 7amp/hr battery that weighed about 20kg less than the full size battery. They cost about £14. It also gave me an increased wine payload.

Colin

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