I'd appreciate some advice on battery replacement. I have a new-to-me 2015 Eriba Famillia 320GT that I bought last summer. It came with a Banner 100AH (957-51) of unknown age. I think I've killed it by assuming the Eriba battery charger was more than just a trickle-charger. I charged the battery over the winter for the odd day every month, using the hook-up connection. Last week on a campsite, the motor movers barely worked even after several days of charging. A few tests showed the battery terminal voltage was 12.2 V, rising to 12.6 under charge. The Eriba charger output voltage is 14.3 V, and delivering just under 1A, so that looks OK.

My next step is to replace the battery. I'd like to fit an AGM battery, but 've no idea if the Eriba charger is suitable. Some advice would be welcome.

Thanks
BH

Quote: Ballhitch wrote in post #1

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A few tests showed the battery terminal voltage was 12.2 V, rising to 12.6 under charge.
The Eriba charger output voltage is 14.3 V, and delivering just under 1A

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Quote: Ballhitch wrote in post #1

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I think I've killed it by assuming the Eriba battery charger was more than just a trickle-charger.

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I'm assuming the following chronology for the battery terminal voltage readings :

* originally was 12.2 V (after using the motor mover)
* when connected to 240Vac mains it rose to 14.3V and was charging at 1A
* 12.6V was finally measured after turning off the mains after a period of charge (days?)

Are these assumptions correct?

If so, the battery isnt fully charged

If you have a Schaudt CSV409A charger it performs as JohnE has indicated in which case I'd suspect the battery as being bad

If it is you may be you may be able to salvage the battery using a battery charger with a pulse charge function but if you dont have one then a new battery would be my option

Hi JohnE, thanks for the reply. When the battery is disconnected from the charger, it reads 12.2V on no-load. When connected to the charger it rises to 12.6V in a matter of minutes. To measure the charger output voltage, I disconected the battery and measured the charger output.

BH

Sounds like a dead battery to me.

This is the battery fitted to my new van (supplied with the CVS409A) : Varta Professional Dual Purpose LA95 AGM 95Ah Battery 840095085 95 Ah

Hi Just_Chilin,
Just stuck my nose into the Eriba and it is a CSV 409 (no A). To your knowledge will this be suitable for an AGM battery?
BH

Can you see if theres a little DIP switch amongst the connectors (it should have) This is labeled GEL and Säure (acid).

If so it will be ok to charge an AGM if you set the switch to GEL.

Rgds

PS Here is a link to a CSV409 online manual :) .... https://manualzz.com/doc/9396703/schaudt...-sprog--engelsk

and heres a link to the CSV409A online manual :) ..... http://www.325099.co.uk/Schaudt%20CSV409...%20Caravans.pdf

I usually recomend the Varta LFD90 (similar to Just Chillin's Varta LA95).

I've used it on two of my own Eribas and supply to customer's vans and motorhomes.

For the money I reckon it's as good (if not better) than a Gel or AGM.

I buy from Tayna Batteries.

Loads of useful information regarding batteries here, and here.

If it helps, 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.

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Yes PopTop320, thats the same battery I have for my factiory-fit 530 Autonomy pack.

There are pros and cons of both AGM/Gel batteries vs "wet" ie traditional lead acid batteries.

AGM/Gel batteries tend to be more expensive but generally they are less sensitive to physical movement and climate conditions (freezing/excess heat) - suppose thats why the manufacturer fits them in the first place to minimise wararnty claims.

That said, AGMs dont like being discharged much more than 50% whereas wet cells can be taken to a deeper depth of discharge (as long as they're not flattened and are not left in a state of discharge for very long)

If looked after there is no reason not to use a cheaper wet cell battery : it all depends how you will store/use/maintain the battery since any of these conditions taken outside of their design specification will kill any battery irrespective of its contruction type

Just to say thanks for all the advice. Went with the received wisdom and fitted a Varna LFD90 from Tanya. All working fine.

BH

How to test a battery? Mine is the usual varta factory fitted dual purpose. I have a 320 gt eriba and had a motor mover fitted when I bought in July 19.
My query is I wouldn’t want it to let me down miles from home & also not be able to use mover. I don’t think I can get into the battery to use a hydrometer & on a pure leisure battery you wouldn’t normally use a discharge tester so how ? I’m presuming with being a dual purpose battery it might be ok to do a discharge test but I think I’ll contact Varta first, there a lot of money if you get it wrong. I’ve had my caravan plugged for most of the winter with a heater on a frost stat so the battery will have had a trickle charge as long as it’s not to long? A volt meter will only give me a surface voltage & unless I possibly leave it all switch off over night first