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Any decent leisure batteries out there?
Posted: Wed May 18, 2016 7:40 am
by BongoBonkers
Hello
We are just about to purchase our fourth leisure battery over our Bongo lifetime. I am consistently disappointed by their performance (once they are no longer new) and relatively short service life. We had a Bosch one to start (that has been the best of the bunch) and then a succession of ones from the internet, all with grand claims about their high performance and long life but it hasn't worked out that way....
Does anybody have a leisure battery that they are over the moon with? I am considering trying a 'brand' such as Varta or Exide and see if they are any better.
Thanks
Dave
Re: Any decent leisure batteries out there?
Posted: Wed May 18, 2016 7:56 am
by Bongolia
I found the same problem and so 20 odd years ago I started using car batteries 3 some times 4 year warranties and in our various camper vans owned in that time I have never had a problem. Nowadays with most on board stuff being low draw should be even better.

Re: Any decent leisure batteries out there?
Posted: Wed May 18, 2016 8:08 am
by mikeonb4c
I was recommended Energy Bull a few years back and found it was just possible to squeeze in a 135ah sized one. It has lasted very well although it is rarely asked to do serious discharging work as i don't camp much.It has however been used twice to fast charge a flat starter battery and handled tbat with no trouble. And my blinds, radio etc all run off it. Must admit the starter battery suggestion above is v interesting!
Re: Any decent leisure batteries out there?
Posted: Wed May 18, 2016 10:25 am
by rita
I would personally have a good look at the option of a Dual Purpose battery, a lot of motorhome bods are now using this type.
Re: Any decent leisure batteries out there?
Posted: Wed May 18, 2016 11:52 am
by Bongolia
Heres a link you may find helpful. They a battery sizing database somewhere on this site.
https://www.tayna.co.uk/
Re: Any decent leisure batteries out there?
Posted: Wed May 18, 2016 2:52 pm
by JoeC
Re: Any decent leisure batteries out there?
Posted: Wed May 18, 2016 3:16 pm
by mikeonb4c
Interesting to see that Banner (makers of Energy Bull) are in the approved list. For the OP, here's a bit more info:
http://www.denkapower.com/#!bannerenergybull/c230f
Re: Any decent leisure batteries out there?
Posted: Fri May 27, 2016 6:16 pm
by BongoBonkers
Hello
Many thanks for all of your replies and suggestions. As is often the case, this was not as simple as it appeared and my 'dead' leisure battery turned out to in fact be a poor earth connection...sadly this did not manifest itself in my simple brain before I had bought a new battery. I am however now the proud owner of an Exide ER550 battery!
Thanks