Best Battery and Charger for Standby Battery

[ghost123uk]

There is a whole section in the wiki about what fits and what is best buys.

Here = https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Ca ... s_that_fit" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Also read the bit right at the bottom of that page (written by me) about protecting your new battery from damage due to excess discharge.

[Paule39]

My bet is it's on it's way out

Just go for the biggest one that will fit where yours is located. There is a whole section in the wiki about what fits and what is best buys.
Note you can use a normal battery as a leisure battery. If you choose a leisure only type, don't be tempted to use it to jump start the van. Most leisure batteries are not built to do that.

Thanks - will look on the wiki and insulate it up

[a1winchester]

A couple of years ago, I was suffering mystery starter battery drain problems. I bought a new battery, but that didn't cure it. As has been mentioned, I think it's a combination of radio and immobiliser that cause the problem.
I had the big yellow van out a couple of times, and they carry starter packs, which are simple to attach to your dead battery with the croc clips.
So, I thought, let's cut out the middle man, and I bought a starter pack for myself. I also bought a battery isolator for when I leave the van for any length of time.
Of course, this is a bit belt and braces, but I have never had a flat starter battery since.
The battery pack also has a flash lamp, hazard warning lights, and spare 12v power supply, so is a useful power supply for camping too.
I notice you can also get one with an air compressor combined. That would be useful.
These are some examples: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/33168563 ... rmvSB=true

[Paule39]

A couple of years ago, I was suffering mystery starter battery drain problems. I bought a new battery, but that didn't cure it. As has been mentioned, I think it's a combination of radio and immobiliser that cause the problem.
I had the big yellow van out a couple of times, and they carry starter packs, which are simple to attach to your dead battery with the croc clips.
So, I thought, let's cut out the middle man, and I bought a starter pack for myself. I also bought a battery isolator for when I leave the van for any length of time.
Of course, this is a bit belt and braces, but I have never had a flat starter battery since.
The battery pack also has a flash lamp, hazard warning lights, and spare 12v power supply, so is a useful power supply for camping too.
I notice you can also get one with an air compressor combined. That would be useful.
These are some examples: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/33168563 ... rmvSB=true

Cheers, I will bear that in mind if I get more problems, am currently toying with the idea a solar panel on the top to solve the problem...!

[Paule39]

My bet is it's on it's way out

Should I just go for another Varta D21 (£54) or a more powerful LB?

Just go for the biggest one that will fit where yours is located. There is a whole section in the wiki about what fits and what is best buys.
Note you can use a normal battery as a leisure battery. If you choose a leisure only type, don't be tempted to use it to jump start the van. Most leisure batteries are not built to do that.

Ive decided not to go for a leisure type battery and go for either another Varta D21, or one of these as the new starter battery and use the current starter battery (D21) as the leisure (last one lasted 5 years).
http://www.carparts4less.co.uk/cp4l/p// ... &0&cc5_996" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Any views on whether its worth upgrading to the Bosch starter (it fits under passenger seat and is more powerful than the D21 so Im thinking belts and braces.....etc)

[ghost123uk]

As the starter battery is only used to start the van, and nothing else (as the alternator does all the work as soon as the engine is running), I have always been of the opinion that buying a more powerful one is a waste of money and space. As long as the standard one starts the van, it does not need to be any better than that.

[Paule39]

As the starter battery is only used to start the van, and nothing else (as the alternator does all the work as soon as the engine is running), I have always been of the opinion that buying a more powerful one is a waste of money and space. As long as the standard one starts the van, it does not need to be any better than that.

Good point - was just think as the CCA was higher, so might be worth the extra £. But as you say the standard one starts it so save £30...?

[graman]

a1winchester wrote:
A couple of years ago, I was suffering mystery starter battery drain problems. I bought a new battery, but that didn't cure it. As has been mentioned, I think it's a combination of radio and immobiliser that cause the problem.
I had the big yellow van out a couple of times, and they carry starter packs, which are simple to attach to your dead battery with the croc clips.
So, I thought, let's cut out the middle man, and I bought a starter pack for myself. I also bought a battery isolator for when I leave the van for any length of time.
Of course, this is a bit belt and braces, but I have never had a flat starter battery since.
The battery pack also has a flash lamp, hazard warning lights, and spare 12v power supply, so is a useful power supply for camping too.
I notice you can also get one with an air compressor combined. That would be useful.
These are some examples: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/33168563 ... rmvSB=true" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I was just wondering whether with experience of using the RAC/AA style starter packs anyone could recommend a specific model? Should I be particularly looking at the cold cranking amps and peak amps numbers, I'm running 2L petrol air-cooled, and really want a starter pack thats up to the job, thanks.

[myheadsashed]

I have one of these.... http://www.antigravitybatteries-uk.co.u ... arter.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It will crank over upto a 4.5 litre diesel engine or something silly. My diesel Westy is light work for it. You can also charge just about everything else off it.
At a £185 it's not cheap but I know it works and its tiny.

[California Dreamin]

As the starter battery is only used to start the van, and nothing else (as the alternator does all the work as soon as the engine is running), I have always been of the opinion that buying a more powerful one is a waste of money and space. As long as the standard one starts the van, it does not need to be any better than that.

Put it this way John.....if the battery activity is the same irrespective of battery size (charge/discharge over a set time) then the larger capacity battery will effectively have been worked less and therefore the active sacrificial components (lead peroxide/lead) will take longer to deteriorate. In theory...not only will there always be a greater reserve of electrical energy but the battery should last longer.
Also....as the battery is larger it has more electrolyte and therefore will take longer to evaporate the water content in the fluid (given the same electrical activity (this point is particularly important as practically ALL batteries are now sealed so any evaporation cannot be replaced)

Martin

[a1winchester]

I was just wondering whether with experience of using the RAC/AA style starter packs anyone could recommend a specific model? Should I be particularly looking at the cold cranking amps and peak amps numbers, I'm running 2L petrol air-cooled, and really want a starter pack thats up to the job, thanks.

Clarkes make a range of starter packs that are highly recommended. (Which? Caravan best buy) but I have seen others that look identical.

As far as starting capacity goes, I would buy the biggest your budget allows. If your main starter battery is flat because your van won't fire for some reason, you might need the extra capacity while you try to sort the problem.