Quote: Originally posted by Rambleruk on 18/10/2020
No-one seems to have mentioned that a battery used to power movers, should be at least 110 ampere hours...many leasure batteries are quite a lot less powerful.
Not strictly true!
Powrtouch recommend a 85Ah battery for their Freedom model, and a 100Ah across their Evolution range (which is my set up), even for the twin axle 4 motor set up!
Truma recommend 75Ah, Purpleline 85Ah, AlKo 70Ah etc. etc. These are of course minimums, nothing preventing use of larger capacity batteries.
As MM's, despite being a heavy load (up to 100A start surge, circa 25-30A run load), tend only to be used for under a minute and a few minutes at the very most, their depletion of battery charge is minimal, and just about any commonly fitted healthy leisure battery should be capable of supplying even the very highest 100A load.
Undoubtedly better to fit something higher specified than the bare minimum if you are using van off EHU or Solar charger (think about storage as well as use!), but huge capacity batteries are not strictly necessary unless you move van considerable distances on MM with infrequent recharging.
As I've mention in earlier post, I've a battery analyser, and I've checked my 100Ah battery before and after moving van 100yds (that's about 5 minutes continuous run time) plus shunting back and forth in/out of storage bays, and there was no measurable depletion of charge.
The above although said in good faith is not strictly true. 110A battery has just more storage capacity. 75A will also power a motor mover until it gets below its voltage threshold. The 110A battery will therefore last longer before it is to discharged to power the mover.
Quote: Originally posted by Vininlancs on 18/10/2020
The above although said in good faith is not strictly true. 110A battery has just more storage capacity. 75A will also power a motor mover until it gets below its voltage threshold. The 110A battery will therefore last longer before it is to discharged to power the mover.
Absolutely true Vinnilancs, but the post was a response to suggestion that 110Ah was an absolute minimum capacity required, which flew in the face of recommendations from majority of MM manufacturers.
I certainly agree that as large a capacity as you can fit in the locker is probably the wisest choice for peace of mind, but it isn't essential to go for anything larger than manufacturers recommendation for pure functionality.
I've used my MM extensively in a variety of circumstances, partly through sheer need, I can't manhandle my 1.3 tonne van on my own very effectively, but have never come near depleting battery to the point voltage drop is an issue. I've even run it on a 'spare' 85Ah leisure battery when I took the usual 100Ah off and home for a winter top up charge, absolutely no issues at all.
The size of leisure battery all depends on the circumstances of each individual so there's no definitive answer. If you have a steep drive at home then the motor mover obviously will require more energy for the angle of gradient involved so a 110ah. leisure battery is a very wise choice. If your caravan is on flat ground then the energy required is going to be less so a 100ah. battery is good enough which is what I use. However, it's not all about inclines and flat ground but also the distance involved because you can have a motor mover engaged on flat ground but with a greater distance to the towcar so the energy needed could be similar to a short incline. The most critical part with any leisure battery is to keep it charged up on a regular basis otherwise it makes no difference whether it's a 110ah. or an 85ah. battery, the lack of maintenance will shorten the life of the battery.
The other variable is whether teh battery is used to power the van for a week with no EHU before coming home and expecting to shove it up a long, steep with the movers. I think that is why they recommend such a big battery. If you're always on EHU or have a solar panel a smaller one will be fine.
We only use the mover on the flat when we get home, to position it so we can attach the extra security measures. Always have ehu on sites. Anyway, we have had the Powrtouch fitter out and the mover is kaput. Don't know why/how. We are thinking of part exchanging as it is.
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Topic: Powrtouch problem
via mobile 18/10/2020 at 3:48pm
