Leisure battery recommendations

Johnston97

New Member
Can anyone please recommend the best value leisure battery for under £200? Something that will allow us to go off grid for at least a couple of days at a time. Thanks!
 
Good advice above.

Lithium is the future..... But the cheaper unit don't have a blue tooth monitor.

Run time is dependent on usage.....so are to looking to run?

If you want to stick with SLA.

These are very good.

Screenshot_20241210_064418_Chrome.jpgScreenshot_20241210_064550_Chrome.jpg
 
Thanks for the above guys. I could go for the Fogstar but is it simple enough to just change to batteries over from agm to lithium or do I need to alter my setup? And would my charge controller need to be changed or would it still work on the fogstar? (Attached photo of my current charge controller)IMG_8103.jpeg
 
I have a T6 Cali Ocean, anyone got any idea if I could just drop two of these in 1 (Under the passenger front seat) the other in the rear cargo wardrobe lower compartment. Also I can't see to identify when a safe drop in charge is on these, hoping for more than 50% ? At least I would total 220AH.


Thanks IN ADVANCE..

ANT
 
if the dimensions are good,

and the terminals are in the right place, then you are good to go.

the other option is the LOACH i listed above..

++++

as for drop-n voltages. - i would FULLY charge both battery's before putting them in the van, that will reduce the shock on the van when the engine charging starts.

they will need at least 24hrs on a 10A smart charger - each ( or untill the charger reaches FLOAT or STOREAGE mode)

++++


i think Lifpo4 needs more work in a stock OCEAN as it uses relays to connect the battery's to the engine bay, which means the lithium battery wont charge properly, there will me a massive stress on the alternator, and the lithium's will just back drain into the starter. . . you need to replace the OCEANS relays with DC-DC charger/s.

there was a guy on here with an ocean that done it. . . but it was massive work IIRC


+++


 
if the dimensions are good,

and the terminals are in the right place, then you are good to go.

the other option is the LOACH i listed above..

++++

as for drop-n voltages. - i would FULLY charge both battery's before putting them in the van, that will reduce the shock on the van when the engine charging starts.

they will need at least 24hrs on a 10A smart charger - each ( or untill the charger reaches FLOAT or STOREAGE mode)

++++


i think Lifpo4 needs more work in a stock OCEAN as it uses relays to connect the battery's to the engine bay, which means the lithium battery wont charge properly, there will me a massive stress on the alternator, and the lithium's will just back drain into the starter. . . you need to replace the OCEANS relays with DC-DC charger/s.

there was a guy on here with an ocean that done it. . . but it was massive work IIRC


+++


Thanks, yes I did read a lot of that, he did a great job with the solar in Germany too, but the vans since gone I think. I would have driven to Germany if he could have moved it all across lol.

Are all these options still going to be 50% discharge? And which would you prefer if I can jam a double into the Ocean? Planning on adding the 310 charge system to it as funds allow.

 
Are all these options still going to be 50% discharge? And which would you prefer if I can jam a double into the Ocean?
what we refering too . . the victron battery or Loach above?
 
Thanks, yes I did read a lot of that, he did a great job with the solar in Germany too, but the vans since gone I think. I would have driven to Germany if he could have moved it all across lol.

Are all these options still going to be 50% discharge? And which would you prefer if I can jam a double into the Ocean? Planning on adding the 310 charge system to it as funds allow.


I like the use of the aluminium sheet used to mount the flexy PV panel on the roof in the Califaktur kit. It seems an elegant solution in terms of ease of mounting and dispersing heat.
 
I like the use of the aluminium sheet used to mount the flexy PV panel on the roof in the Califaktur kit. It seems an elegant solution in terms of ease of mounting and dispersing heat.
Me too.. probs got OCD about not trimming down all those 5mm bolts poking in the air, apart from that looks like a nice all in one system.
 
what we refering too . . the victron battery or Loach above?
Same question for both I guess.. and no one seems to mention gel much anymore, are they an option or a no-no? I think tomorrow first thing I will get access to the front and rear compartments and take my own measurements see what looks like might fit.
 
I've had the Loach previously . . in fact i had two. (before i upgraded to lithium)

the Victron are good - but mormally pricey.

Gel are still about . . but effectively the same as AGM.

++++++

so for you the main thing is the size and layout so they fit.

other options are OEM equivalents . . ie 070, 075, 095, or whatever they are.

other, other options - swap out the vans split charge relays and fit DC-DC chargers.. . though you will loose the fancy OEM power screens.


+++++++

Some lifepo4 manufactures say they do drop in replacements that work with SLI chargers. . . but its never that simple. especially on Calis.
 
that would be interesting . . . .

you can do it.

but you have to rip out all the fancy Ocean power meters and screens, to go back to basics and just used the cables and fuses.

then replace the relays with DC-DC chargers.

That other guy had nightmares trying to integrate with the OEM kit, he spent fortunes.

but ultimately ended up just fitting a standard dc-dc / solar / lithium setup.

then decided the van was to small and went back to boating. . . :mexican wave:


+++++++


out of interest, is there anything on the Cali forum about it?

id imaging some of those guys would have tried/done some upgrades.?

though most Calli people I've met are absolute purists and wouldn't have anything non VW Cali fitted in there vans. lol.

you should see the Cali camping section at Busfest . . those vans are lined up and pitched with Military precision and layed out like they were in a VW showroom.
 
Dell do you fancy a how I done it on a Cali Ocean..lol
Full lithium and solar and two phases
that would be interesting . . . .

you can do it.

but you have to rip out all the fancy Ocean power meters and screens, to go back to basics and just used the cables and fuses.

then replace the relays with DC-DC chargers.

That other guy had nightmares trying to integrate with the OEM kit, he spent fortunes.

but ultimately ended up just fitting a standard dc-dc / solar / lithium setup.

then decided the van was to small and went back to boating. . . :mexican wave:


+++++++


out of interest, is there anything on the Cali forum about it?

id imaging some of those guys would have tried/done some upgrades.?

though most Calli people I've met are absolute purists and wouldn't have anything non VW Cali fitted in there vans. lol.

you should see the Cali camping section at Busfest . . those vans are lined up and pitched with Military precision and layed out like they were in a VW showroom.
I can imagine, my mod list is fairly extensive.. the Cali Ocean baseline is a good starting point, but it can be improved upon in many ways.. this is one.

I have the top mfd but it's a T6 so I just thought it was just a crude voltage meter up top there. Does a shite job of reading dead batteries..
 
Been looking at upgrading my factory fitted 75Ah second battery to Lithium of 100Ah or so. I was looking at Fogstar but that new Renogy heated battery early bird offer looks like a smoking deal at £237.99 with the monitor (and I assume shunt?) thrown in for free. Any thoughts from the experts?
 
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