This model of battery doesn't appear to be available here, so I'm wondering what is a suitable substitute brand/model/type?
It's in a dual battery system with a mains charger, solar panel charger and auto-link controller to vehicle alternator for charging (voltage sensing relay). The mains charger charges to nominal 14.7V then drops to nominal 13.8V float charge. The controller automatically disconnects the battery from the system when the terminal voltage drops to nominal 10.5V.
tmenz,
Sep 8, 8:04pm
That one would do but it has the wrong type of terminals. It seems that there is none available locally that has the right dimensions, capacity and terminals. Yes, I know I could make one fit and/or reterminate the cables to suit, but it would be nice to find a drop-in replacement!
As an aside - how can I tell what percentage of discharge has been reached? e.g. what does it show when it gets down to 50%?
mojo49,
Sep 8, 8:09pm
OP. There are people in Silverdaie who specialise in motorhomes, solar etc. Do a bit of Googling and you will find them. Take the motorhome in and talk to them about the best option. They will understand your dual battery and multi charging system and be able to provide a drop in battery that best suits that mix of factors.
intrade,
Sep 8, 8:26pm
you posted a link of a european car battery like opel holden or vw with AGM normally is calcium AGM is deeper discharge but need special charger for agm How long did that battery last you?
tmenz,
Sep 9, 7:49am
It's in an imported vehicle built in Italy, used in UK. I don't know the history of the battery but it probably isn't older than about 3 years.
Got one local in Chch for my A6 and it was considerably less than this listing in cost paid $269 incl and has the same warrenteees . They are not deep cycle batteries .
robbief,
Sep 10, 8:31am
x1
we have one like that in our fiat camper and its the truck batterie one not a deep cycle one.we have two deep cycle ones as well all charged by the truck but the house batteries also charged by solar.
tmenz,
Sep 10, 8:58am
Looks like Sunpowerplus at Silverdale will be the 'go-to' place!
clark20,
Sep 10, 10:34am
So you will not call the Varta agent in NZ , HCB batteries?
tmenz,
Sep 10, 10:52am
They don't appear to list a drop-in sized replacement, but I'll contact them if I don't succeed elsewhere. It's all a bit of a can of worms!
johotech,
Sep 10, 10:57am
You can buy a battery monitor for under $300. It logs the charge and discharge currents and calculates the state of charge (once it's calibrated).
It's a good thing that your system disconnects at 10.5V, because that is dead flat.
50% is approx 12.06~12.1V 70% is approx 12.35V 80% is approx 12.5V
As you can see, we're talking fractions of a volt, that most people couldn't measure accurately because they don't have a meter good enough and also you have to measure the battery "at rest" - i.e not charging or discharging.
A battery monitor is the only way to know what the state of charge is in real time.
But as I said in my first post, if you're regularly needing to discharge below 50%, then the battery is not big enough.
budgel,
Sep 10, 12:41pm
Have a look at their reviews first!
johotech,
Sep 10, 1:08pm
Their feedback doesn't look good. But keep in mind that the only have 14 Google reviews, and only 7 of those are bad. I imagine that they have thousands of other customers that haven't written reviews.
Any company can have a few customers that aren't satisfied.
I've only dealt with them once about 7 years ago, and they were fine.
tmenz,
Sep 10, 10:38pm
OK, I fully charged the battery, allowed several hours float at 13.8 Volts, then isolated it from the system and allowed it to 'rest' for 4 hours. then did a monitored discharge test on the battery using my trusty Fluke multimeter, a clamp current meter and a test load of 4.5 Amps - which is the 20 hour rate value. The initial 'rest' voltage was 13.18V which dropped quickly to 12.62V, rose to 12.69V after an hour then fell away steadily until just under 6 hours later it reached 12.1V then sagged rapidly through 11V heading for 10.5V - when I disconnected it and reconnected the charger. The upshot is that the capacity is only 6/20ths or 30% of what it should be. I don't need a bigger or beefier battery - just a good new one that fits in the hole and attaches to the installed wiring! Apparently, the Varta LA95 is no longer made or available, so all I need is a physically and electrically equivalent battery at a decent price. Silverdale will be the first port of call!
johotech,
Sep 10, 11:04pm
Sounds like it is stuffed.
Most deep cycle batteries have the terminals the other way around. I'm pretty sure all Sun Power Plus / AA Solar batteries are all the opposite way. (Take a look at the ones on their website).
Make sure you've got the actual measurements of the space available, not just the old battery size. Just in case there is something taller/longer.
But if it were me, I would be arranging the wiring the opposite way. Surely the cables can't be that short that they won't reach across the battery (when it's the other way around, the terminals will be on the opposite side).
It would only be a half hour job to extend the wires in any case.
Good luck.
jacinda2059,
Sep 11, 8:10am
check out there warranties, if anything happens they will try and b/s you. that it was your fault. re. charging at to higheramps, with a smart charger,
tmenz,
Sep 11, 8:38am
The cables will fit either way. The main problem is that the present battery has standard post terminals whereas the possible replacements favour the bolt down stud style. This is not a show-stopper - I can reterminate the cables if necessary - but it's a nuisance that I'd prefer to avoid! The main issue is making sure the replacement will fit inside the fitted box and on the tray underneath without having to perform surgery on it!
Thanks for your info and comments.
tmenz,
Sep 11, 8:42am
Yes, their warranty conditions are a bit concerning. As is their feedback! The RV Supercentre has a special on a similar Camec battery at the moment for not many more dollars, so I'll be looking closely at their options - they're a much larger organization with a proven track record for backup!
tmenz,
Sep 11, 6:01pm
Went to Silverdale. very helpful and informative. Bought 12V130 battery and adapter posts, so no wiring changes needed. Got a discount because I was collecting from there. All Happy!
gpg58,
Sep 27, 10:10am
Wondering if any have researched how these are working out, thinking of some for my boat.(nickel iron) they say - Costs less per amp hour than any other battery (based on the life of the battery) Note x 10 cells for 12v. http://www.ironcorebatteries.com.au/page2.php
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