Battery advice please

[Toffs-rv]

Hi

We are away for our first trip and in Calais at the moment parked up at about 3pm UK time and the house batteries are flat already I assume therefore that they have seen better days. Have had he heating running but only used one light and no tv etc

Have started the generatorto charge don't know how long it will take.

Any advice on what replacements are good, basically I want to get as larger power batteries as will fit under the top step housing but what brand etc is good or what should i look out for?

Thanks
Gary

[motor roamin]

Hi Gary

Sounds very much like you are right batteries died...just make sure you are putting a charge in them, you should run on the genni no problem, advice on replacements what you got 6 volts or 12 volts how many and what size.

Oh all these questions and all you want to do is have a cup of tea and fill the RV with shopping

Good luck

Rick.

[simsy56]

Hi Gary,
l bought a Winne A class in june, and the batteries were the same. Charged them, lasted about 2 hours, flat.

So, l bought 3 new Varta 110 ah, charged them on hook up at home and what a difference! l can run the heating( a couple of hours a night), lights, pump, etc; for almost a week, before charging is needed again. l hope this helps.

Craig.

p.s. l think l paid around £100 each for the batteries, thats because l can't shop around on an Island.

[Toffs-rv]

Originally Posted by simsy56

Hi Gary,
l bought a Winne A class in june, and the batteries were the same. Charged them, lasted about 2 hours, flat.

So, l bought 3 new Varta 110 ah, charged them on hook up at home and what a difference! l can run the heating( a couple of hours a night), lights, pump, etc; for almost a week, before charging is needed again. l hope this helps.

Craig.

p.s. l think l paid around £100 each for the batteries, thats because l can't shop around on an Island.

Thanks Craig

Very helpful, I have been on to Griffin who sold us the RV they are going to cover the replacement and have sent him you post.

It certainly helps to have bought from a decent dealer

Cheers
Gary

[Toffs-rv]

Originally Posted by motor roamin

Hi Gary

Sounds very much like you are right batteries died...just make sure you are putting a charge in them, you should run on the genni no problem, advice on replacements what you got 6 volts or 12 volts how many and what size.

Oh all these questions and all you want to do is have a cup of tea and fill the RV with shopping

Good luck

Rick.

You're right there although in all fairness have stocked the RV up today sonar least got that done so will cutthe trip short and return tomorrow cant be doing with worrying about batteries any it's only a day shorter

Cheers
Gary

[sloberdoberbob]

I was concerned Gary when you posted the other day about running a 12 v tv ... Knowing how much power the Winnibago takes out of batteries..

I have a varta silver under the hood but went for umax for the house supply.. Would have had Canadian Rolls if i had the room for them... Have researched this a lot and it would take up much space here to go over allthe options of gell v wet v sealed v make etc.,

I had bad batteries on my winnibago when i got it, and i replaced them all with in a week or so... But then i had a Sterling invertor and charger fitted by VanBitz... I have real control over the management of the batteries with the extra NASA unit fitted ...also by VanBitz.... Shows what is going in or out... This past year i have changed all the bulbs with LED's and that has made the control of power better managed... I went down te route of 230v Tv and seperate DVD... Rather than buy a 12v system... Could have been cheaper.. But i wanted 26" to fit a hole and the invertor means i can use main power, genny and 230 v va the batteries va the invertor.... Batteries are only part of the issue Garry as you will find out as you go along.

It is good job that the supplier of the RV has Agreed to pay the bill, but it would have been better in my mind if they had checked the condition before the RV was soldto you... What with the gas unit, you seem to have had a few issues, minor may be, but it does make wonder what else you will have to revert to them over... But to be fair to them, it seems to be a story so often heard these days.. Dealers just want to sell them and hope it holds up until it is out of warrenty.

It amazed me i got a chrstmas card to day from Dreams... Especially after what i wrote to them about the state of the convertion wiring that i had to have done again... They soon forget ... But then there are some of us are happy to discuss the issues over a beer.

But i am glad Garry you are getting things done... Still think you were mad to go to France for this weekend... You will be coming back to snow in our part of te world..heavy snow due Saturday...already settled here from to days snow fall... .

Anyway safe journey back.

All the best

Bob, Sue and Ezzie the St Bernard.... In a very snowy Kent.

[Toffs-rv]

Cheers Bob

Looks like I've GP alot to learn

Well having charged the batteries with generator after about 30 minutes they were nearly run down again so as we were at the calais aire and have got all our shopping we are now sitting In the queue to board the next seafrance ferry home.

Ah well we got away and got the shopping done and if more snow is en route tomorrow then best we are home

Cheers
Gary

[motor roamin]

Safe trip enjoy.

All the best Rick

[sloberdoberbob]

Hope you got back safe and sound as we are due more snow tonight (Saturday) and Sunday according to the BBC .. they give a 5 day and hour by hour on www.bbc.co./kent/weather and you can select your town .. have to hunt about the links.. but so far it has proved to be just about right give or take a couple of hours... pain in the bum this weather.

I am glad I got the RV out when I could to top off the LPG.. I can hear the heater kicking in a lot.

Re your batteries Garry.. try Lincoln batteries they are in Lee on Sea in Essex, which is not a long run from East Grinstead.. I know a few weeks ago they had two Rolls batteries going cheap.. they m ake batteries and have done for year (Lincoln Batteries I am talking about) http://www.lincon.co.uk/ but they also do lots of others.. I got put on to them from MHF site.. they are helpful and prices wise as good if not better than some..

If it is get you out of trouble time, I have a pair of Deka (USA) 80 amp domestic deep cycle batteries charged on the work bench (well read filing cabinet in office).. if they would get you going for now you are welcome to take them away with you.... you lug them from the outer office to the car or RV.. very heavy. but if you need them they are yours.

Anyway.. give me a call if you want... usual number 01892 514060

All the best

Bob

[Toffs-rv]

Cheers Bob

Got back at about 1:30 this morning And thankful we did especially with the snow this morning

A22 was like a skating rink last night but got her home safe and sound.

Griffin are going to arrange for 2 batteries totalling 220 currently on the RV are 2 totalling 150?

Thanks for the offer of the batteries but she is hooked up on the and not going anywhere until we get the new ones and besides weren't planning on going out now until we pop down to you

Thanks again
Gary