Campervan Battery

Which is the best battery to use in a campervan to run the 12 volt lights etc?

How do you recharge this battery?

When the battery is not being used i.e. van in storage, what should I do with this battery?

The current battery in the van is an ordinary car battery which was in the van when we purchased it and it is now flat. Hence it needs to be replaced with the correct battery.

Thanks again for all your fabulous information everyone offers.

GeorgieGirl

Back Expand Un-Read 0 Moderator

Reply By: Notso - Wednesday, Jul 25, 2007 at 10:42

Wednesday, Jul 25, 2007 at 10:42
Don't want to get into an argument with anyone so won't say what type of battery?? But to keep it fully charged there is a thing called the "Arrid Twin Charge" that mounts in your camper trailer near the battery and takes a supply from the vehicle battery. This supply, whtever voltage it is is then upped to a full charging voltage and the "Arrid Twin Charge" manages the charge of the battery. Several of my caravanning mates and myself have had this system for years and they keep your battery in great condition. There are versions for AGM type batteries, Sealed Lead acid and standard deep cycle and car batteries.

Worth looking at.
AnswerID: 254365

Reply By: Member - Mike DID - Wednesday, Jul 25, 2007 at 10:57

Wednesday, Jul 25, 2007 at 10:57
Get an AGM battery - they will charge faster and more relialy than any other type.

An Arrid Twincharge is the best, but most expensive way to charge it. Almost as effective is to run two cable pairs - one pair to power the fridge while driving and the other to charge the battery.

When the van is not being used you MUST disconnect everything from the battery and charge it once a month
AnswerID: 254367

Reply By: Member - Howard P (WA) - Wednesday, Jul 25, 2007 at 11:14

Wednesday, Jul 25, 2007 at 11:14
I use a 100ah AGM deep cycle battery in our camper trailer, with a 3 stage charger mounted next to the battery. So you can use 240v power from a c/can park or use a gen set to charge the battery whilst bush camping, and I leave the charger connected to 240v at home so the battery charge is maintained. An Anderson plug with wiring and isolator is connected to the vehicle and this keeps the battery charged when driving.
Howard
AnswerID: 254371

Follow Up By: GeorgieGirl - Wednesday, Jul 25, 2007 at 11:28

Wednesday, Jul 25, 2007 at 11:28
Hi Howard

Thanks for the info. But could you please expand on the following:

What is a 3 stage charger?
Where do I get them from and approx how much are they?
Can they be installed by a novice?

GeorgieGirl

0
FollowupID: 515426

Follow Up By: Member - Howard P (WA) - Wednesday, Jul 25, 2007 at 14:15

Wednesday, Jul 25, 2007 at 14:15
Hi Georgiegirl,
As mentioned in other replies to your question, give Derek a call at ABR for technical info on chargers etc. I purchased mine from him, and he is very helpful with the sort of information you will require to set your 12v system up.

Howard
0
FollowupID: 515453

Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Wednesday, Jul 25, 2007 at 15:11

Wednesday, Jul 25, 2007 at 15:11
Why a 3-stage charger - it's the fastest way to safely charge a battery without the need to disconnect the charger when charge is complete. It automatically changes the current or voltage to suit teh stage of charging.

The best value charger around is the 12 amp charger from Jaycar for $99. This is a 3-stage charger for any battery over 50 amphours.

The LED colour changes from Red to Orange to Green through the three stages.

Site Link

0
FollowupID: 515458

Follow Up By: Member - Mike DID - Wednesday, Jul 25, 2007 at 15:13

Wednesday, Jul 25, 2007 at 15:13
These chargers just have a 240 volt plug and a red and a black wire that you connect to the battery.
0
FollowupID: 515459

Reply By: Member - Doug T (W.A) - Wednesday, Jul 25, 2007 at 11:33

Wednesday, Jul 25, 2007 at 11:33
GeorgieGirl
As notso said about an argument, arguments are not the issue , it's common sense and common sense tells me that if I were to be buying a battery that is going to sit for long periods then that only leaves on option and that's Optima ,
:Quote from website:
Unequaled vibration resistance due to the tightly wound SPIRALCELL design that resists jarring and eliminations plate shredding.
High purity lead design provides a much lower self-discharge rate, meaning OPTIMA battery can sit unused for 8 - 12 months without recharge.
Site Link

gift by Daughter

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  Send Message

AnswerID: 254373

Follow Up By: Member - Doug T (W.A) - Wednesday, Jul 25, 2007 at 11:34

Wednesday, Jul 25, 2007 at 11:34
GeorgieGirl
Forgot to add though. are you prepared to outlay approx' $375 but get a product that won't let you down
gift by Daughter

Lifetime Member
My Profile  My Blog  Send Message

0
FollowupID: 515427

Follow Up By: Mainey (WA) - Thursday, Jul 26, 2007 at 16:55

Thursday, Jul 26, 2007 at 16:55
Doug,
Optima batteries are only 55 AH and at $375 that's an expensive battery, when you can get a 110 AH Deep Cycle AGM battery for less than $375

That works out at more than double the price for an Optima on a $$ per AH basis :-))
0
FollowupID: 515651

Reply By: glids - Wednesday, Jul 25, 2007 at 12:05

Wednesday, Jul 25, 2007 at 12:05
GeorgieGirl,

Make sure you decide on the whole package, with the battery decided first.

Some battery chargers are not suitable (or not most efficient) for charging some types of batteries, in particular sealed gell-cell and absorbed glass mat (AGM).

Some batteries require specific charging voltages and voltage / current regimes - eg a calcium/calcium battery requires a far higher voltage than a gell cell can tolerate.

Speak to a large battery dealer / supplier, not the local servo.

cheers,

glids
AnswerID: 254378

Reply By: Moose - Wednesday, Jul 25, 2007 at 13:18

Wednesday, Jul 25, 2007 at 13:18
Hi GeorgieGirl
Go to the Directory section above and find ABR (not ARB) under the acessories area. Then give Derek a call - he'll sort you out. As one of the replies intimates - there's lots to consider so talk with an expert. Derek is more than happy to give advice.
Cheers from the Moose
AnswerID: 254388

Reply By: Member -Dodger - Wednesday, Jul 25, 2007 at 16:47

Wednesday, Jul 25, 2007 at 16:47
AGM Has my vote also.
get youself a charge n maintain 240v charger and hook it up when the van is in storage.
If you cannot get power when the van is stored for a long time eg 3 months take the battery out and bring it home and put on charger. Alternativly if the van is in open storage intall a small solar panel to keep the battery topped up.
I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.

Cheers Dodg.

Lifetime Member
My Profile  Send Message

AnswerID: 254413

Reply By: GeorgieGirl - Thursday, Jul 26, 2007 at 16:25

Thursday, Jul 26, 2007 at 16:25
The camper was/is down at Jayco getting serviced and they phoned this morning. The battery is dead. So hence I need to buy a new one.

After lots of phone calls all day yesterday and everyones great feedback on the forum, I have come up with the conclusion to purchase an AMPTECH 120 AMP/H battery which I can get for $232.00 and a 12v 12A dual stage lead acid battery float charger from Jaycar for $100.00.

The battery that was in the camper was a cranking battery and I am now lead to believe that a deep cycle AGM battery is the best to go for. 3 different companies recommended the AMPTECH without any prompting so I figure that one seems to be the best.

I have asked Jayco to connect the leads up to the fuse box to insure they are in the correct place so that all I need to do is put in the new battery in when I purchase it in the next 2 weeks before we leave.

Again this forum is the best place. I really appreciate all the help and advice that I have been given on all the topics I have raised. My husband is flat out with end of financial year so with me being able to research all this information it is fantastic.

Thanks again GeorgieGirl.

P.S. if anybody has a different option for me to put in the car I would be happy to hear it. Always open to opinions.

AnswerID: 254555

Follow Up By: Mainey (WA) - Thursday, Jul 26, 2007 at 17:24

Thursday, Jul 26, 2007 at 17:24
"P.S. if anybody has a different option for me to put in the car I would be happy to hear it. Always open to opinions...... I am now lead to believe that a deep cycle AGM battery is the best to go for. 3 different companies recommended the AMPTECH without any prompting so I figure that one seems to be the best"

GeorgieGirl

Are you 'positive' the Amptech 120 ah battery is an AGM battery ??? :-))

It only has a 6 month warranty, which is a bit unusual as most reasonable quality batteries have at least 12 months.

Look at a Delkor Deep Cycle battery, DC27 or DC30 (it's not agm either) or a genuine AGM battery, budget priced 100 ah Fullriver agm battery.
0
FollowupID: 515653

Follow Up By: GeorgieGirl - Friday, Jul 27, 2007 at 09:18

Friday, Jul 27, 2007 at 09:18
Mainey,

Thanks for the reply.

On the ABR website is says that it is an AGM

www.sidewinder.com.au/page130a.html

But I will look into a Delkor and Fullriver anyway - thanks.

GeorgieGirl.
0
FollowupID: 515753

Follow Up By: Mainey (WA) - Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 at 13:58

Sunday, Jul 29, 2007 at 13:58
GeorgieGirl
Amptech batteries are imported by Supercharge batteries and nowhere on the Supercharge web site are Amptech batteries referred to as AGM batteries in any way, shape or form, being an AGM is a big selling point, so I would think the actual Importer would state this battery is an AGM very clearly on their web site – if it is ??

The ABR technical specifications for the Amptech battery are basicly “identical” to a Wetcell battery, so it’s either a common Wetcell battery or a very badly specified AGM and with specifications no better than a Wetcell battery why would you spend the extra money to gain absolutely no technical or measurable advantage.

The ABR Amptech battery website quotes the internal resistance as 3.2Ω which is the same specifications as a Wetcell battery, an AGM is much much much lower ~0.005Ω so no advantage here, just a big loss !!

The “self discharge” rate is stated as a very, did I say very very lousy 64% for 1 year whereby an agm is only a miniscule % number, this again is a Wetcell battery specification so no benefit here either.

The nominated charging rates are also relevant specification numbers to a Wetcell battery.

There is no technical specification stated anywhere on the ABR website to indicate the Amptech battery is not a Wetcell battery or is an AGM battery, maybe the wrong specs are posted lol

In short its technical specifications appear to indicate a Wetcell battery, not AGM and therefore no technical advantage, except the high price tag of a quality AGM battery which will give you the weird idea that you have a good battery.

Fullriver are the 'entry point' budget priced AGM batteries and as such are the most common because most ppl want a 'bargain' not the best available battery, there are various brands available at only a few $$ more that have superior technical specifications, if it's a long term purchase then look at various brands, look at the "numbers" and the battery terminals, not how nice the (black) colour case looks lol.
0
FollowupID: 516087

Follow Up By: GeorgieGirl - Monday, Jul 30, 2007 at 17:01

Monday, Jul 30, 2007 at 17:01
Mainey,

Thanks for the reply. All those numbers are numbers to me, so I didn't understand what any of them meant. I have order the amp tech but will again look into another battery now that I know what you have just said.

I am over this whole battery thing. Everything isn't very easy to understand and everyone has something different to say, which is good but I just get more and more confused.

So, thanks again.

GeorgieGirl
0
FollowupID: 516252

Follow Up By: Mainey (WA) - Tuesday, Jul 31, 2007 at 17:41

Tuesday, Jul 31, 2007 at 17:41
GeorgieGirl,
I’m most remorseful I made it so technical :-))
Simply stated, those numbers prove the Amptech is not an AGM battery.

I've checked with the importers today and they assure me their Amptech battery is definitely NOT an AGM battery, as claimed above and in other threads on this forum.
Some people are in for a rude awakening, believing they have paid out big $$$ and are getting AGM technology when in fact they only have an expensive wet battery...

As to why Derek's ABR website would incorrectly state it's an AGM battery is really beyond me, either he is innocently uninformed or a bit mischievous?

However if you want a decent quality wet Deep Cycle battery forget Amptech and get a Delkor DC27 or DC30, mine is well over five years old now and has recently been relegated to be my Cranking battery, after running the fridge and accessories for over four years with-out problems, and yes there are other reputable brands out there, the technical specifications tell the story, not nice pictures available on websites, lol.

As you say, "everyone has something different to say" yes and unfortunately it's you who has to sort out the rubbish from the truth or the fact from the fiction!

As they say, the (technical specification) numbers don't lie !!!
0
FollowupID: 516390

Follow Up By: GeorgieGirl - Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 11:07

Wednesday, Aug 01, 2007 at 11:07
Mainey

Thanks again for your help.

We decided against the amptech and my husband has gone to pick up a Fullriver DC AGM.

Price was a big issue for us. It has cost a lot more than I budgeted for to set up the van.

My biggest issue is that after this 5 month trip we don't know if we will keep the van or sell it. We originally were going to sell it to pay more off the mortgage but time will tell. I don't know how much use we will get out of it when we get back as I work weekends. That is why I was looking for a good cheaper battery (if it exists).

All that technical specifications - I don't understand. I have looked into this battery for a week, plus work full time, plus work 3 nights a week, plus run a family and a house and try and pack for our trip which we leave for in 10 days.

Anyway all sorted now. I can now focus on other things.

Thanks again. This forum is full of very help people like yourself who teach people like myself invaluable information/lessons.

GeorgieGirl

0
FollowupID: 516474

Sponsored Links

Popular Products (9)