Elecsol 100 battery - temporary use as starter battery?

[dvisor]

My old van (not the Bongo) goes in for an MOT tomorrow, ready to be sold. The battery in there at the moment (an 096) is completely dead and I need to get a replacement quick. Round here the prices are very expensive, so I want to order one online, but it won't be here by the time I leave in the morning. The only battery I have to use in the meantime is the Elecsol 100 I'm using as the leisure battery in the Bongo. Would it be a mistake to use the Elecsol in this way? Will it damage it? The Elecsol is 375 Cold Cranking, and the van is a 1.9 Diesel.

[mikeonb4c]

My old van (not the Bongo) goes in for an MOT tomorrow, ready to be sold. The battery in there at the moment (an 096) is completely dead and I need to get a replacement quick. Round here the prices are very expensive, so I want to order one online, but it won't be here by the time I leave in the morning. The only battery I have to use in the meantime is the Elecsol 100 I'm using as the leisure battery in the Bongo. Would it be a mistake to use the Elecsol in this way? Will it damage it? The Elecsol is 375 Cold Cranking, and the van is a 1.9 Diesel.

Ron Miel (who is currently taking a break from the forum unfortunately) ought to know about this as he researched it. From what I picked up, the Elecsol is relatively unusual in that it is OK for use as a starter battery, but a search on here should soon dig out what others have said. How does the CCA compare with - say - a 75AmpHr starter battery as if it can match that then it should be fine.

On the issue of selling, sorry to hear you are (I think you mentioned it aready?) and what are you moving on to. Also, how are you planning to sell the Bongo. If you have details, price wanted etc. my mate Daymo and his partner appear to be keen on getting a Bongo (though it may be early days for them yet) and I could pass this one on to them. PM me if so.

Good luck

[Alison01326]

Mike's right, and although I haven't tried it myself, Elecsol do describe them as "dual purpose" (engine start and deep cycle battery).

[dvisor]

Thanks both.

Mike, its the older van I'm selling, not the Bongo Perversely, we're selling the one with the hi top roof, cupboards, kitchen, running water, fridge, swivel cab seats, TV etc. and keeping the Bongo which has only the beds It'll be a sad day when it goes, but it will be nice to see it back on the road, and the buyers will be making good use of it traveling round Europe with their kids.

The elecsol is only 375 CCA compared to 580 CCA on the type 096. But I guess that if it manages to turn the engine over, its not going to do it any harm, being "dual purpose". It sounds like Ron has actually started his Bongo from his elecsol from a previous thread, so it looks like it'll be OK.

[mikeonb4c]

Thanks both.

Mike, its the older van I'm selling, not the Bongo Perversely, we're selling the one with the hi top roof, cupboards, kitchen, running water, fridge, swivel cab seats, TV etc. and keeping the Bongo which has only the beds It'll be a sad day when it goes, but it will be nice to see it back on the road, and the buyers will be making good use of it traveling round Europe with their kids.

The elecsol is only 375 CCA compared to 580 CCA on the type 096. But I guess that if it manages to turn the engine over, its not going to do it any harm, being "dual purpose". It sounds like Ron has actually started his Bongo from his elecsol from a previous thread, so it looks like it'll be OK.

I reckon my advice overall (for what its worth) would be to say - if the van starts quickly with it, then fine, but if it does not then don't persevere as the Elecsol may not thank you for it.

Glad the old van is going to a loving home and great you are keeping the Bongo (which has to be the champ all rounder if you are not just doing dedicated campervanning)

[Jacobus]

I have been using an Elecsol 100 as a starter battery for my Berlingo 1.4 TD for the past year and have had no problems, as yet. The amazing thing about them is the light weight and the 5 year gaurantee. By the way I did ring Elecsol up before going ahead with the above and they confirmed there is no problem using it as a starter battery. Jacobus

[francophile1947]

I have been using an Elecsol 100 as a starter battery for my Berlingo 1.4 TD for the past year and have had no problems, as yet. The amazing thing about them is the light weight and the 5 year gaurantee. By the way I did ring Elecsol up before going ahead with the above and they confirmed there is no problem using it as a starter battery. Jacobus

But it needs a lot less cranking amps to start a sewing machine

[mikeonb4c]

I have been using an Elecsol 100 as a starter battery for my Berlingo 1.4 TD for the past year and have had no problems, as yet. The amazing thing about them is the light weight and the 5 year gaurantee. By the way I did ring Elecsol up before going ahead with the above and they confirmed there is no problem using it as a starter battery. Jacobus

Very useful to know that. Although as John says it'll be an easier engine to turn over than - for example - the Bongo, I reckon it still confirms that occasional heavier use should be OK. I reckon the safe approach is probably not to work it too hard if/when an engine is reluctant to start. That way it can enjoy a healthy life as an LB while you have the reassurance of knowing it can work as backup if the SB goes on the blink

[mikexgough]

The Berlingo only needs 60ah Starter battery anyway....

[maxi_77]

In general liesure batteries can be used for starting, most boats only use liesure batteries even for engine starting. The main problem can be that although they can deliver reasonable CCA output it is often not as great as a normal starter battery.