Hello I wanted some advice on which battery to buy? The only time we use the battery is when we get to site, where we store the van, to use the mover to get it out of storage and then when placing it on a pitch with the mover as we always use hook up. What size and type would you recomend for this also price too?
May be a silly question but don't want to waste money getting the wrong one.
be on safe side and go for 110 amp, price about £80.
------------- its easy enough to be pleasant when the world rolls along like a song.but a man is worth while if he can smile when every thing goes f------ wrong.
A lot depends on the physical size you can fit in the box. I couldn't get a 110AH in so went with a 100AH Elecsol carbon fibre maintenance free. Does a great job with my mover.
------------- 74,going on 25
Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder
We use a 110amp, just feel safer having that extra bit of reserve power if we need to do a bit of manouvering into a tight spot or up any gradients on site. Also good to have that extra bit of power if you need to cross a muddy verge to get to your pitch like happened to us at West Ayton CC site last season.
Julia
------------- Just love to be out amoungst Nature and Wildlife
Celebrating 37 years of Caravanning in 2019, Recently Considered Retiring, but Totally Addicted for Life!
An 85amp/hr will do the job, & should last fine with the mover.
But if you can afford the extra money, & have the space to fit it in, then a 110amp/hr will be better, but you're not likely to ever need the extra power, you'll just be giving the battery a more pleasant life & be safe in the knowledge it's there if you should need it.
110 Ah batteries are no more powerful than 85 Ah batteries, they just store more charge. Because of the exra capacity they will move your van further before running out of charge but would not enable your van to go up steeper hills. Its like having a bigger petrol tank.
Quote: Originally posted by brianconwy on 03/3/2012
110 Ah batteries are no more powerful than 85 Ah batteries, they just store more charge. Because of the exra capacity they will move your van further before running out of charge but would not enable your van to go up steeper hills. Its like having a bigger petrol tank.
Does this mean they will stay charged longer when the van is in storage then?
Quote: Originally posted by ian-albion on 03/3/2012
Quote: Originally posted by brianconwy on 03/3/2012110 Ah batteries are no more powerful than 85 Ah batteries, they just store more charge. Because of the exra capacity they will move your van further before running out of charge but would not enable your van to go up steeper hills. Its like having a bigger petrol tank.
Does this mean they will stay charged longer when the van is in storage then?
To a point it will, but all batteries will suffer from being left without charge for long periods.
They need "topping-up" every 2 months at the very least (my caravan, bought recently, hadn't been used for over 2 years, but thanks to the previous owner charging the battery every 2 months, it's still going very strong. & it's an 85amp/hr).
Best state is to bring it home & have it permanently connected to a smart charger (you mustn't leave it connected to a normal charger permanently, only until it's charged. A smart charger, however, will not damage it).
Lidl & aldi recently had smart chargers for just £12.99, they may still have some.
These would normally be £50-£80+ so that's a very good price, & I can vouch for them, they are very good.
if you need to move the caravan some distance from storage to pitch i would go for 110 amp because as said it it will last longer in use.85 amp or 110 amp it will still need charging ready for use,if left too long it will discharge itself.more so in warm weather.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
We drive ours about 100 yards up hill to get it onto the drive with a mover and an 85aH battery and never had any problems, provided the battery has a reasonable charge to start with. We have frequently managed to use the mover to put the van on the drive after a weekend without EHU too so I have no reservations about an 85aH battery.
If possible though, I would remove the battery from the van when it is left in storage for long periods so it can be kept charged up at home.
We only move it in and out of the storage space a few yards to hitch up to the car then on/off the pitch so looks like an 85aH will be ok. We go to the van at least every 2 to 3 weeks so should hold charge, the one on now is always flat when we go back. Never thought of taking the battery off through the winter but will do from now on.
One more question about charging while hooked up, I think ours is being charged all the time its hooked up is that ok? When we had our older van we could turn off the charger but was told we did not have to on the van we have now as it would never over charge?
One more question about charging while hooked up, I think ours is being charged all the time its hooked up is that ok? When we had our older van we could turn off the charger but was told we did not have to on the van we have now as it would never over charge
yes fine,some caravans are sited and we have used the EHU for charging 27 nights and days without a problem.also used EHU for 4 hours a day on a timer.
------------- the only silly question is the one you do not ask.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: Battery/Mover advice.
