Best buy/don't buy leisure batteries article?

Red King replied on 05/01/2020 11:26

Red King

Posted on 05/01/2020 11:26

I need to replace my leisure battery. There was an article in the club magazine 'recently' in which the lab checked various batteries by cutting them in half. Some were complete cons, mostly empty space. Three brands were recommended.

Yes, I know I should have cut out the page. Yes, I know every issue for the past 12 months is online at caravanclub.co.uk/news-features/club-magazine/archive/ But can I find it despite looking at the contents page of every issue three times? Can I ****!

So could some kind soul who did keep it tell me which ones were recommended or at least which issue?

Thanks in anticipation

25 replies

replied on 05/01/2020 11:33

Posted on 05/01/2020 11:33

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Metheven replied on 05/01/2020 11:33

Member

Metheven

Caravanner

Posted on 05/01/2020 11:33

Was it this one?

Battery Article

1 person likes this

replied on 05/01/2020 11:37

Posted on 05/01/2020 11:33 by Metheven

Was it this one?

Battery Article

Posted on 05/01/2020 11:37

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

MikeyA replied on 05/01/2020 11:53

MikeyA

Caravanner

Posted on 05/01/2020 11:53

IF I remember correctly this is the article in which our "Club" failed to inform its members which manufacturers were found to be guilty of misrepresentation at best or downright illegality at worst.

1 person likes this

peedee replied on 05/01/2020 11:58

Member

peedee

Motorhomer

Posted on 05/01/2020 11:58

Batteries are a minefield, you cannot even rely on those approved by the NCC. It is not unknown for unscrupulous mnufacturers to put concrete in them to make them appear to contain a good quantity of lead! Like you I did not know what was best to buy but my existing battery had performed well for 8 years so I bought a replacement of the same brand, a Lucas but AGM instead of lead acid..

peedee

replied on 05/01/2020 12:14

Posted on 05/01/2020 11:58 by peedee

Batteries are a minefield, you cannot even rely on those approved by the NCC. It is not unknown for unscrupulous mnufacturers to put concrete in them to make them appear to contain a good quantity of lead! Like you I did not know what was best to buy but my existing battery had performed well for 8 years so I bought a replacement of the same brand, a Lucas but AGM instead of lead acid..

peedee

Posted on 05/01/2020 12:14

The user and all related content has been Deleted User

peedee replied on 05/01/2020 12:26

Member

peedee

Motorhomer

Posted on 05/01/2020 12:26

AGM seems to be getting a bad reputation for lack of longevity now but like you PD I tend to go for what I know.

I recall this was true of early AGMs so I am hoping it does not apply to the latest versions

peedee.

KeithandMargaret replied on 05/01/2020 14:05

Member

KeithandMargaret

Motorhomer

Posted on 05/01/2020 14:05

There was an article about leisure batteries in the MMM in 2017 where they mentioned that in 2013, a test was carried out (and witnessed by The Caravan & Motorhome Club and others) on nine batteries, with the expected result being when the batteries were cut open three out of nine would adhere to the leisure specification.

To everyone’s amazement, including the tester, only one proved to be a legitimate leisure product.

Most were not a surprise, but two were well-known manufacturers who had used a starter battery (used for cars) and relabelled it.

The National Caravan Council (https://www.thencc.org.uk › Our_Schemes › ncc_verified_leisure_battery_...) have a chart of recommended batteries for you choose the most appropriate battery.

Hope this helps.