new battery recommendations, and a "how to" question..

[lampini]

Another battery question - oh joy - i hear you cry!

 

following on to my previous thread..

we need replacement batteries!

 

Question part one.. 

 

our current 2x 110ah batts are sealed, unbranded and 52cm(l) x 26cm(w) x 15cm(h) and look like this...

 

 

We can go higher, but not longer or fatter! The terminals are bolted into the batts as in pic. Would rather not have to change the terminal fittings to fit different terminals but maybe this will have to be done..

 

We are pretty low use liveaboards, (240v fridge, 600w inverter, led lights, lappy, NO tv or hair straignteners - no hair!) attatched to shoreline most of the time.

 

We have 2x 140w panels going through a Victron MPPT 75/15 controller to keep them topped up - has worked well for 3 years.

 

Replacement battery recommendations?

 

 

Question part two...

 

How do i disconnect them - do i have to wait till dark or cover the solar panels up? The MPPT controller has a 20A fuse in the bottom, what does this do? Can i just pull it before disconnection? The manual for this isn't helpful..

There is a vague chance that only one battery is fully sha*ged, and we can get by "for now" on one only - but again - i dont want to nacker anything by not disconnecting the solar before starting to unbolt terminals - also, should both battery switches be "off" before attempting to disconnect anything?

 

Sorry for the tedious need for some hand-holding; all above is asked in the spirit of "the only stupid question is the one you DON'T ask!!!

[rusty69]

Why not replace like for like if you are happy with the performance you have, and if they are still available?

 

It is usual to disconnect the solar before disconnecting the battery from the MPPT on many controllers, so if you have no switch between panels and controller, cover  the panels with a blanket or waiting til dark will mitigate the chances of damaging the controller.

 

I would try and ensure there are no loads on the battery before disconnecting the batteries by isolating them at the swtich(s)

 

 

[lampini]

Just now, rusty69 said:

Why not replace like for like if you are happy with the performance you have, and if they are still available?

 

It is usual to disconnect the solar before disconnecting the battery from the MPPT on many controllers, so if you have no switch between panels and controller, cover  the panels with a blanket or waiting til dark will mitigate the chances of damaging the controller.

 

I would try and ensure there are no loads on the battery before disconnecting the batteries by isolating them at the swtich(s)

 

 

Would love to be able to replace like for like, 'specially as they have done brilliantly for 12 years, without solar charging for nine of those years - sadly these batteries are unbranded, the previous owner says he got the from a mate who was ordering a shedload for a solar farm - no idea what they are sadly, no markings to be seen! 

 

Cheers for 'tother advice - pretty much what i thought but best ask and be safe... ?

[mrsmelly]

They dont look at all like 110 amp hor batts innitt. If you take one off and put it on a table with a couple of photographs someone will be able to identify it for you methinks.

[lampini]

50 minutes ago, mrsmelly said:

They dont look at all like 110 amp hor batts innitt. If you take one off and put it on a table with a couple of photographs someone will be able to identify it for you methinks.

Ooh really? This won't be that easy as they're blimmin heavy (and in an awkward place) and i've done me back in.. gonna have to get me some help!

 

ETA When i do get them disconnected, whats the best way to test which is the least shag*ed? - test the voltage of each seperately?

 

ETA#2 Many many thanks to all so far!

Edited October 1, 2018 by lampini

[rusty69]

1 hour ago, lampini said:

Would love to be able to replace like for like, 'specially as they have done brilliantly for 12 years, without solar charging for nine of those years - sadly these batteries are unbranded, the previous owner says he got the from a mate who was ordering a shedload for a solar farm - no idea what they are sadly, no markings to be seen! 

 

Cheers for 'tother advice - pretty much what i thought but best ask and be safe... ?

Doh.Missed the unbranded bit.

 

Similiar, but not exact sized Varta batteries:- 

 

https://www.tayna.co.uk/truck-batteries/varta/p4/

 

I suspect Mrsmelly is correct,yours were likely bigger than 110Ah when new.

Edited October 1, 2018 by rusty69

[mrsmelly]

1 hour ago, lampini said:

Ooh really? This won't be that easy as they're blimmin heavy (and in an awkward place) and i've done me back in.. gonna have to get me some help!

 

ETA When i do get them disconnected, whats the best way to test which is the least shag*ed? - test the voltage of each seperately?

 

ETA#2 Many many thanks to all so far!

I am no expert but deffo check seperately if you can. Just flutter yer flippin eyelids and some sexist, mysoginist or whatever we call em bloke will lift em out for you ?

[lampini]

25 minutes ago, rusty69 said:

Doh.Missed the unbranded bit.

 

Similiar, but not exact sized Varta batteries:- 

  

https://www.tayna.co.uk/truck-batteries/varta/p4/

 

I suspect Mrsmelly is correct,yours were likely bigger than 110Ah when new.

ooh... some of thems would fit size wise... change of terminals tho.....

 

18 minutes ago, mrsmelly said:

I am no expert but deffo check seperately if you can. Just flutter yer flippin eyelids and some sexist, mysoginist or whatever we call em bloke will lift em out for you ?

 

Bring it on! ?

[rusty69]

7 minutes ago, lampini said:

ooh... some of thems would fit size wise... change of terminals tho.....

Yes, you may have to get some of this type of thing to suit.Or someone may be along with a closer match.

Edited October 1, 2018 by rusty69

[lampini]

4 minutes ago, rusty69 said:

Yes, you may have to get some of this type of thing to suit.

OMG i didn't know such a thing existed!! Thankyou!

[rusty69]

1 minute ago, lampini said:

OMG i didn't know such a thing existed!! Thankyou!

Usually different size Positive and Negative. Check stud size fits your connectors,if you can't get an exact match for your exisitng type.

[Neil2]

2 hours ago, lampini said:

Would love to be able to replace like for like, 'specially as they have done brilliantly for 12 years, without solar charging for nine of those years - sadly these batteries are unbranded, the previous owner says he got the from a mate who was ordering a shedload for a solar farm - no idea what they are sadly, no markings to be seen! 

 

Cheers for 'tother advice - pretty much what i thought but best ask and be safe... ?

I reckon they are Chinese made gel batteries which I don't think you can get from a uk supplier.  If so, yes they will be very heavy indeed and more likely to be 250 a/hr by the look of them. 

[cereal tiller]

52 minutes ago, Neil2 said:

I reckon they are Chinese made gel batteries which I don't think you can get from a uk supplier.  If so, yes they will be very heavy indeed and more likely to be 250 a/hr by the look of them. 

They could be UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply )Batteries?