Choosing a leisure battery

[Alison01326]

I've had a good trawl through the site via the search facility and don't think this particular question has been raised before (and I'm sorry if it has, but if I can't find it, maybe no-one else can either).

I've ordered my Willinton kit and now need to go about choosing a leisure battery. From what I can work out, I have an 80 AH starter battery (it's a Panasonic TF-95D31L, and the Panasonic website tells me it's 80 AH) so I know I mustn't exceed that.

Based on all the advice given on the forum about use and abuse of leisure batteries (which has been taken on board), and also following manufacturer's instructions and being aware that "I get what I pay for" do any of you have any further comments on a particular brand or battery which I should go for and more to the point, any which I should avoid? There seem to be hundreds to choose from.

I'm sure many of you have been leisure battery users for years and therefore have tried different brands or batteries. Are they all much of a muchness or is that too simple an assumption?

Looking forward, as ever, to your advice.

[stilldesperate]

Hi Alison,

The 80Ah starter battery is this size to provide enough power to turn the engine over when starting, even on the coldest days.

As far as Leisure batteries go, the more "ampere hours" (Ah) you can get, the longer the battery will last between charges.

If the Willinton kit specifies a max capacity of 80Ah, then go with that, otherwise I'd look at 105Ah, or even bigger.

Is the battery going in the engine bay or in the van? If it's in the engine bay, sure someone will be along soon to let you know the largest battery that will fit.

Hope this helps,

SD

[missfixit70]

You can fit up to a 110amp battery, the fact sheet isn't right on that one, I got a Numax for around £70 with 4 year guarantee I think.
Not sure that a traditional leisure battery is the right way to go for longevity, several recent discussions on here about marine type batteries that are part way between starter & leisure battery properties, ie can handle deep discharge & also handle the high input from the alternator.

[stilldesperate]

Kirsty,

I've an old article from a sailing mag on this, not sure re copyright for posting it, but the gist was that "heavy duty" batteries, with thicker plates inside, were probably the best compromise on boats.

This supports what you say,

SD

[missfixit70]

Stick it up, saves us looking for the old posts

[Alison01326]

Is the battery going in the engine bay or in the van? If it's in the engine bay, sure someone will be along soon to let you know the largest battery that will fit

Heavens! Do they actually come in different physical sizes as well? Thanks for pointing that out. It's going in the engine bay, by the way.

[scanner]

Is the battery going in the engine bay or in the van? If it's in the engine bay, sure someone will be along soon to let you know the largest battery that will fit

Heavens! Do they actually come in different physical sizes as well? Thanks for pointing that out. It's going in the engine bay, by the way.

Yes and if you pick the wrong one the bonnet won't shut or if it does there could be a great big flash.

[stilldesperate]

The images are unreadable on the forum due to the 640 pixel width limit. They might be OK if you follow the links.

(Don't blame me for poor quality - I only called in for a cuppa and to check my email!

Page 1
<a href="http://s625.photobucket.com/albums/tt34 ... battp1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt34 ... battp1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Page 2
<a href="http://s625.photobucket.com/albums/tt34 ... battp2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt34 ... battp2.jpg" border="0" alt="copyright PBO 1999"></a>

Page 3
<a href="http://s625.photobucket.com/albums/tt34 ... battp3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt34 ... battp3.jpg" border="0" alt="copyright PBO 1999"></a>

SD

[stilldesperate]

This might work

The images are unreadable on the forum due to the 640 pixel width limit. They might be OK if you follow the links.

(Don't blame me for poor quality - I only called in for a cuppa and to check my email!

Page 1
http://s625.photobucket.com/albums/tt34 ... battp1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt34 ... battp1.jpg

Page 2
http://s625.photobucket.com/albums/tt34 ... battp2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt34 ... battp2.jpg

Page 3
http://s625.photobucket.com/albums/tt34 ... battp3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i625.photobucket.com/albums/tt34 ... battp3.jpg
SD

[mikeonb4c]

You can fit up to a 110amp battery, the fact sheet isn't right on that one, I got a Numax for around £70 with 4 year guarantee I think.
Not sure that a traditional leisure battery is the right way to go for longevity, several recent discussions on here about marine type batteries that are part way between starter & leisure battery properties, ie can handle deep discharge & also handle the high input from the alternator.

Yup thats right, I had an email dialogue with Willinton in the early days, after I'd bought a battery tray from him (I suggested he produced a foolproof kit for Bongo owner numptieslike me in fact - seems he followed it up though too late for me as I'd followed corblimeys guide meanwhile!), and he explained his tray etc. was designed around the green Numax 110Ah as being the biggest he reckoned could be fitted into the space......and its a tight fit. I've since looked at other batteries on t'internet and seen others with what look like workable dimensions (i.e. same as or slightly smaller than the Numax, but make sure battery terminals are position same as the Numax too to ensure it will all fit), but the best way of being sure was getting a Numax, which I did.

On the starter battery front, when time comes to replace it I'd recommend getting a higher power one (95Ah or 105Ah) as I think the big diesel (or V6) likes a hefty battery and its good to know the starter battery is and will remain over time more than adequate to crank it while maintaining voltage across the glowplugs (I was surprised at the number of diesel Bongos have a bit of a misfire grumble when first started at Snowdonia as I never get that - I don't know why it was but could see voltage drop across glowplugs as being a possible contributor)

[mikexgough]

I have a Wetline 679 Marine/Leisure battery... 110ah.....it fits....just....

http://s411.photobucket.com/albums/pp19 ... 092263.jpg
Got the biggest I could fit in.....

[dandywarhol]

You can fit up to a 110amp battery, the fact sheet isn't right on that one, I got a Numax for around £70 with 4 year guarantee I think.
Not sure that a traditional leisure battery is the right way to go for longevity, several recent discussions on here about marine type batteries that are part way between starter & leisure battery properties, ie can handle deep discharge & also handle the high input from the alternator.

Yup thats right, I had an email dialogue with Willinton in the early days, after I'd bought a battery tray from him (I suggested he produced a foolproof kit for Bongo owner numptieslike me in fact - seems he followed it up though too late for me as I'd followed corblimeys guide meanwhile!), and he explained his tray etc. was designed around the green Numax 110Ah as being the biggest he reckoned could be fitted into the space......and its a tight fit. I've since looked at other batteries on t'internet and seen others with what look like workable dimensions (i.e. same as or slightly smaller than the Numax, but make sure battery terminals are position same as the Numax too to ensure it will all fit), but the best way of being sure was getting a Numax, which I did.

On the starter battery front, when time comes to replace it I'd recommend getting a higher power one (95Ah or 105Ah) as I think the big diesel (or V6) likes a hefty battery and its good to know the starter battery is and will remain over time more than adequate to crank it while maintaining voltage across the glowplugs (I was surprised at the number of diesel Bongos have a bit of a misfire grumble when first started at Snowdonia as I never get that - I don't know why it was but could see voltage drop across glowplugs as being a possible contributor)

Thats just tird, dodgy glowplugs causing that Mike.

I made my own battery tray and fitted a 115 A/h into it - tight squeeze but fine.

[mikeonb4c]

You can fit up to a 110amp battery, the fact sheet isn't right on that one, I got a Numax for around £70 with 4 year guarantee I think.
Not sure that a traditional leisure battery is the right way to go for longevity, several recent discussions on here about marine type batteries that are part way between starter & leisure battery properties, ie can handle deep discharge & also handle the high input from the alternator.

Yup thats right, I had an email dialogue with Willinton in the early days, after I'd bought a battery tray from him (I suggested he produced a foolproof kit for Bongo owner numptieslike me in fact - seems he followed it up though too late for me as I'd followed corblimeys guide meanwhile!), and he explained his tray etc. was designed around the green Numax 110Ah as being the biggest he reckoned could be fitted into the space......and its a tight fit. I've since looked at other batteries on t'internet and seen others with what look like workable dimensions (i.e. same as or slightly smaller than the Numax, but make sure battery terminals are position same as the Numax too to ensure it will all fit), but the best way of being sure was getting a Numax, which I did.

On the starter battery front, when time comes to replace it I'd recommend getting a higher power one (95Ah or 105Ah) as I think the big diesel (or V6) likes a hefty battery and its good to know the starter battery is and will remain over time more than adequate to crank it while maintaining voltage across the glowplugs (I was surprised at the number of diesel Bongos have a bit of a misfire grumble when first started at Snowdonia as I never get that - I don't know why it was but could see voltage drop across glowplugs as being a possible contributor)

Thats just tird, dodgy glowplugs causing that Mike.

I made my own battery tray and fitted a 115 A/h into it - tight squeeze but fine.

That's fair comment but I reckon all these things can add up. As you crank the engine, you can see from the way lights (should you have them on) dim (the weaker the battery, the more they dim) what problems might arise. If the glowplugs lose voltage just as they are being doused with diesel aerosol, they'll work less well. If they are already tired or dirty, the problem will be worse than if they were 'fit'. Add to that the fact that batteries produce less power the colder they are and you have the recipe for The Perfect Storm I reckon.

[dandywarhol]

Ok - picked you up wrongly - I thought you were saying the standard Mazda recommended 80 A/h battery was inadaquate

[mikeonb4c]

Ok - picked you up wrongly - I thought you were saying the standard Mazda recommended 80 A/h battery was inadaquate

No, I wouldn't go as far as to say that, but given that things wear out and lose efficiency as they get older / worn, then I reckon that for the price difference you might do better to buy a higher AmpHr one when replacement time comes round. I reckon its a bit like that old argument that says a bigger engine is often more economical longer lasting because it has more torque in reserve.