Leisure Batteries Topping up Frequency/Amounts

teemyob · 2009-05-11

Hello, A couple of months ago I topped up our 3 110ah lead acid batteries. I had not done it for a while and each battery took at least 3/4 litre. Today I checked them and two of them were very low (there are two of one Brand one of another). I have put 1.5 litres Distilled water in the two of the same brand but they need more!. Seems a lot to me. What do we think?, getting varied opinions from past posts and the titernet. Was considering GEL until I saw the price! Trev

Pudsey_Bear

· #2 · May 11, 2009

That seems a hell of a lot of water, I should do a check on ours I suppose, but lethargy keeps setting in, plus it's right bitch of a job on Ducatos.

Kev.

Posted by Kev.

This post is meant for entertainment purposes only. Your mileage may vary. Do not try this at home. Void where prohibited. Some assembly required. For off-road use only. Slippery when wet. Batteries not included. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle, heavy equipment, or any vehicle, especially the newer Fiat ones. Videos may be too intense for some viewers and children under 30 years of age. Please remain seated until the post has come to a complete stop. I am not a professional, I have no training, I'm not even particularly good at horse whispering. Don't believe everything that you know. Please keep your hands in the vehicle at all times. Do not tap on glass. Do not eat anything that has been on the floor for more than 3 days. Keep your hands to yourself. Not to be taken internally. Reproduction is strictly prohibited. Always wear underwear. Poster does not carry cash. Objects in mirrors are further than they appear. Don't eat yellow snow.

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Vennwood

· #3 · May 11, 2009

Hi Trev,

The water level should just cover the plates. If you put too much water in then it will syphon out when it expands during charging up. They shouldn't take any more water than a car battery.

Pete

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inkey-2008

· #4 · May 11, 2009

If you are putting that amount in the batteries then I would think that you my have problems with over charging.

That is an excessive amount in so short a time.

Are you leaving them on charge if so you needed a charger that will give only a float charge once they are charged.

Andy

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teemyob

Discussion Starter · #5 · May 11, 2009

Batteries

inkey-2008 said:
If you are putting that amount in the batteries then I would think that you my have problems with over charging.

That is an excessive amount in so short a time.

Are you leaving them on charge if so you needed a charger that will give only a float charge once they are charged.

Andy

Yes that was my thought (overcharging)

We normaly leave the motorhome on EHU all the time when parked up. We also have solar panels. Not sure what is going on but always seem to be charging.

Trev

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Vennwood

· #6 · May 11, 2009

Hi Trev,

What regulator do you have on the solar panels? If you have the Steca regulator and you connected to the panels before connecting to the batteries then the batteries will seriously overcharge.

I had a similar problem and when I read the manual (now there is a novelty

) it said that if you connect the panel first then the controller doesn't know what voltage your batteries are and continues to pump in full power at 16 volts etc. If this is the case then simply disconnect the solar panels count to 10 and re-connect them.

Being on EHU shouldn't be a problem as they are designed to cut back when the batteries are fully charged.

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Pudsey_Bear

· #7 · May 11, 2009

Thanks for that little bit of info re order of connection, I did mine the right way, but did wonder why it was in that order.

Kev.

Posted by Kev.

This post is meant for entertainment purposes only. Your mileage may vary. Do not try this at home. Void where prohibited. Some assembly required. For off-road use only. Slippery when wet. Batteries not included. Do not use while operating a motor vehicle, heavy equipment, or any vehicle, especially the newer Fiat ones. Videos may be too intense for some viewers and children under 30 years of age. Please remain seated until the post has come to a complete stop. I am not a professional, I have no training, I'm not even particularly good at horse whispering. Don't believe everything that you know. Please keep your hands in the vehicle at all times. Do not tap on glass. Do not eat anything that has been on the floor for more than 3 days. Keep your hands to yourself. Not to be taken internally. Reproduction is strictly prohibited. Always wear underwear. Poster does not carry cash. Objects in mirrors are further than they appear. Don't eat yellow snow.

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teemyob

Discussion Starter · #8 · May 11, 2009

Panels

Vennwood said:
Hi Trev,

What regulator do you have on the solar panels? If you have the Steca regulator and you connected to the panels before connecting to the batteries then the batteries will seriously overcharge.

I had a similar problem and when I read the manual (now there is a novelty ) it said that if you connect the panel first then the controller doesn't know what voltage your batteries are and continues to pump in full power at 16 volts etc. If this is the case then simply disconnect the solar panels count to 10 and re-connect them.

Being on EHU shouldn't be a problem as they are designed to cut back when the batteries are fully charged.

Guess What!?

I have a steca and I from memory, I connected to the battery last. Thanks for reading the Instructions.

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Leisure Batteries Topping up Frequency/Amounts

teemyob

Pudsey_Bear

Vennwood

inkey-2008

teemyob

Vennwood

Pudsey_Bear

teemyob

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