Replacement Nuevo Leisure Battery. Rating?

Noticed always my 2003 Neuvo owners manual has stated to "always replace the leisure battery with one of the same capacity as originally fitted" The original being 75AH.

After replacing two 75AH over the years I now feel like the next replacement ideally needs to be of a higher rating for a longer charge retention, say over a couple of days on site. It fits under the drivers seat with the usual vent pipe. (I am hoping there is enough room particularly widthways)

Please, has anyone fitted a larger Amp Hour battery say even up to 100AH and why would the Auto Sleepers manual advice be so specific with the above statement? It is still 12volts or have I missed something more technical or was it just to cover themselves for some reason?

You can add larger battery/ batteries if you want there is no down side apart from the extra space it/they may take up. Buy a good quality battery, we have a Cotswold and use 2 x 110 amp batteries with a 80w Solar panel as well.

Agree with Robbie, get the highest rated battery that will fit. Manufacturers make batteries in various sizes for the same rating, have a look round to see what there is but dont be tempted to buy a cheap leisure battery. AS fit/did fit not sure on current vans, Numax batteries which IME dont last as long as other makes.

Yes thanks for confirming that its o.k. going up in ah rating.

Have spent a long time on my head measuring under the drivers seat swivel space and realise that now the existing size of the 75ah battery will only just fit the available space.

I cannot envisage where I could relocate the battery position without losing valuable space and also it would anyway incur a hefty cost for someone to do it professionally.

(I have by the way made things easier previously by replacing the factory fitted bolts on the seat two rear fixings on the swivel plate with allen key headed stud bolts making it very much easier to gain access to the battery space for replacement. It allows me to simply tip the seat forward toward the steering wheel, after the removal of these two bolts, and with a slight loosening of the two front seat fixing hexagon bolts, allowing enough space to drop in the replacement battery)

I am now wondering if there exists any specialist leisure battery manufacturer with a higher rating battery of the same dimensions of my old 75ah battery ?

Hi LobbyLudd,

A few years back I owned a 2003 Lancashire (similar to your van) and I replaced the 75ah battery with either 90 or 100 ah.

It was a tight fit and I fitted part of an old rubber mat over the top of the battery so it was impossible for it to make contact with the underside of the seat. It sounds a bit Heath Robinson but it worked.

The supplier of the battery was : http://www.batmanuk.com/

He carefully measured the battery for me before I placed the order. It's worth a look.

Good contact that Bob cos most of the Boxers from AS had their leisure batteries under the drivers seat, we managed a 85AHr one in our old van think it was an Exide. But it took some finding.

Thanks Bob, talked to them today, very helpful firm.

Any one know of the best material to use to strap down a battery please, to two fixed position floor bolts, webbing, alloy strip perhaps ?? Battery suppliers spoken to today will not commit themselves and do not know of any recommended product on the market.

The reason being that the only two slightly higher amp hour spec batteries I have tracked down to fit in the most awkward and confined space that could have possibly been chosen by the designer on my Neuvo, have fixing ridges moulded on the long sides only and nothing on the short sides. The old original batteries had fixing ridges on all sides, and yes the fixing plate floor studs are in my van for the short sides. (I am told by the suppliers that most batteries are now like this. )

Auto Sleepers when phoned for advice said it would be 'probably' best to only replace the battery with the 'same as the original specification' In answer to a higher rating battery they did not recommend any particular make or size and if I wished to ask this question I really should talk to a specialist battery manufacturer.

It seems I can only find so far that the limited choice towards a replacement higher Amp Hour size rating, just tightly fitting under the 2003 Nuevo range drivers seat, would be to probably consider the LucasLX24MF @86ah from Bobs link 'Batman UK' or Enduroline 90ah from an internet battery company called 'tayna' both would need the securing modified from the existing floor plates provided!

When I replaced the AS fitted leisure battery I fabricated a new battery cage from MS angle, flat bar and studding but I do have the benefit of more space than you have.
I think in the underseat locations strong webbing may be a better idea, at the end of the day the seat base is effectively a cage and the battery just needs to be held secure.(in case of roll over etc in an accident)

Whilst I agree that a larger battery is desirable don't forget to look at the other side of the equation.

Have you reduced your usage with LED lights? Is your TV power hungry?

One other thought re battery. I recall mine required the seat to be removed to check the distilled water, so I bought a maintenance free version.

orian wrote:Whilst I agree that a larger battery is desirable don't forget to look at the other side of the equation.

Have you reduced your usage with LED lights? Is your TV power hungry?

One other thought re battery. I recall mine required the seat to be removed to check the distilled water, so I bought a maintenance free version.

Thanks orion and the reminder of being mindful in how all the various items can drain the total current (yes I still have all the old original lighting -neon strips throughout) We use a very small screen lower drain type flat screen telly, but all in all want to get the highest rating possible for when we are often without an EHU say up to 3 days static. (have a small 'trickle charge' solar panel constantly wired up also)

Will look at the webbing strap route I think if I have to secure the thing as a modification within the under seat space, it is enclosed on all four sides with an access flap at the front.

I agree that Nuevo owners would definately be recommended to go for a sealed 'maintenace free' battery due to its most difficult location. But the idea of having to remove the entire heavy seat even just to replace the thing myself I thought was a nightmare each time and could at least be made a bit easier for one person to carry out in the future (see my 'seat tilt forward' notes in earlier post)

My search continues

Looking through the Tayna website and assuming you have a standard 75amp measuring 266x175x220, you can get a 90amp Enduroline EVX90 which measures 260x175x225 (height is the only measurement thats bigger by 5mm) at £92.95

I'm glad Auto-Sleepers had the sense to relocate the leisure battery to under the beds in the series II Nuevo's.... is it not possible for you to do the same LobbyLudd?

Paulmold wrote:Looking through the Tayna website and assuming you have a standard 75amp measuring 266x175x220, you can get a 90amp Enduroline EVX90 which measures 260x175x225 (height is the only measurement thats bigger by 5mm) at £92.95

Thanks Paulmold it does indeed seem that anyone with this infernal space limitation as I do, has at least this one available as the highest rating (90ah) I cannot find any higher one of this small size listed. It is described as a 'Calcium' battery ? dont know what advantage this description means. I will ask them.

I would love to relocate the position (as in the latest Neuvos) but I really dont feel like all the hastle of the correct spec of re-wiring etc. and particularly drilling the required vent tube hole in the floor of the van.

cable rating is easy to sort, just get an audio amp kit like http://www.dvbcaraudio.co.uk/audio-t1kit2-gauge-1200-watts-amplifier-wiring-p-6299.html

gives inline fuse as well which protects the cable from the battery.

If I needed more backup power I would just have a look at a later van where they moved the battery to and copy it, that way u can add whatever you want and not have to worry again about battery size and always be unhappy with the limited power you currently have.

Thanks Robbie - Thats made me think!

You might find this website useful just enter your power requirements and dimensions.

http://www.tayna.co.uk/Numax-Leisure-Batteries-S284-1.html

Flynn wrote:You might find this website useful just enter your power requirements and dimensions.

http://www.tayna.co.uk/Numax-Leisure-Batteries-S284-1.html

Thanks Flynn, yes had already discovered the company.

This company interestingly seems to offer the only 90AH labelled battery that I can find listed that falls within the generally accepted smallest standard case size 12v leisure battery (i.e. 260x175x225mmhigh) It is a 'maintenance free' sealed version with venting pipe and sounds ideal for my limited space under the drivers seat, together with a slightly higher rating than normal.
They make great emphasis that it is a 'Calcium' battery. New one on me. No one else seems to claim one as high as 90AH in my search.

However the guy at Shield Batteries (Manufacturers apparently since early 1900s ) said in his opinion "you cannot realistically, at the end of the day squeeze out, or rely on any more than a maximum of 80AH from within this size case" ??

Lots of fairly "sound" info: in this post. My 2012 type 11 Nuevo does have the L Batt: under the O/S bed, any size Batt: would fit I will add tho as a sparks, amperage capacity can be whatever, 100a.p.h should be plenty i.e could give 100a per hour. would cook a turkey with that. your car battery may be 80a.h and the starter when you turn the key soaks up aprox 300a - for a short time providing the engine starts... So a large dia: cable is used its a direct feed to the starter motor via a relay. Now your leisure battery has a different application entirely the amperage at any one time leaving it to power the average standard fit motorhomes 12v fittings e.g T.V. lighting-go modern !. Laptop, etc 10amps over any lengthy period is normal. therefore 100ah batt relates to x output of 100a for 1hour or as for us campers 10a 10 hours. >>> Theres always a clever clogs who uses an angle grinder I know. it wont suit the 12v cigar lighter outlet.<< The cable from Leisure battery (via say a 20a fuse) only needs to be the same as used by the builder ( 10a--15a rating flexy core ) easy to thread throught the furniture, floor etc: put the "in line fuse carrier should be close to the battery, thus protecting circuit wireing against chafeing due to movement (driving) through any metalwork. no, confuseing I hope not, but Im no "writer" So you who will reply and shoot all this down with "well what abouts" I apologise ----only trying to elieveate "the worries" some seem to have, its only 12v stuff. a fuse (weakest point in any circuit) is the key safety device,, prevents heat/fires. only 12v BUT lots of big amps are possible as explained earlier re car starter motor. I'm not editing, said too much . Every-ones advice on this post is in my view great.

An alternative is to fit an extra battery as I have, the origional is under the drivers seat, and the extra one is under the passenger seat in a plastic crate this gives me 150 amp hours. These are recomended to be of same make capacity and age.

Brian

murph wrote: An alternative is to fit an extra battery as I have, the origional is under the drivers seat, and the extra one is under the passenger seat in a plastic crate this gives me 150 amp hours. These are recomended to be of same make capacity and age.

Brian

Hi Murph

Thats an interesting location for a second one, I think I will be doing a bit of measuring with how space compares with the drivers side.

Presumably you drilled a hole in the floor under your passenger seat for the venting tube - was this a simple and staightforward job ??

Also a plastic crate intrigues me ??? Is a this a ready made battery box or something else . I would want to reassure myself that the battery is secured down in case of an emergency stop say. ?

Any feedback appreciated.

There are 2 holes drilled in the floor 1 under the drivers seat and 1 under the passenger seat to run the wiring from one side to the other (You could run it under the carpet)to connect the two togther. A couple of weeks after fitting the second battery the origional failed but it was over 6 years old. the 2 Varta batteries now fitted do not have the drain pipes that the AS supplied battery did. A word of warning as mentioned on other threads some time ago dont buy very cheap lesuire batteries as some are simply starter ( different internal design) batteries relabled as leisure batteries. they wont last and are bound to fail at a cruical time. Recomended makes are Banner,, Exide or Varta. or similar quality.


Brian

Thanks Brian

Yes I have also realised over the years that the best quality 'deep cycle' batteries really must be the only lasting option.

Shield and Lucas also have 'Sealed for Life' higher spec ones that sound good.

The only thing I have found in general with these higher rated SFL ones (within the smallest battery case sizes, particularly for our under seat locations we have just discussed in the Pug Boxer) is they have no fixing lugs on the short sides of the case base. That was why I was interested in the method you have used to accomodate and retained the second one in position under your passenger seat ?

The drivers side already has retaining plates for the short sides only
limiting extremely, the choice of battery make, unless a modification of securing is made.

Hi Lobbylud,
I had to go and look to see how the origional battery is secured, in fact although it was fitted by an auto electrician with considerable motorhome experience, it just sits in AS s tray with a strap round it. There is a small amount of movement which is restricted by the tray but as it can only be fitted or removed by taking off the seat and lifting it straight out, the seat frame would prevent it coming out in the event of an accident. the extra battery has simply been dropped into an plastic crate of suitable size which has been screwed to the floor.

Brian

PS make sure that the wire between the 2 batteries is heavy enough or the 22nd one will drag the origional down.

You may be interested in my recent experiences in France, as I was in this post.

See:-

http://www.motorhomefacts.com/ftopict-121168-.html
and
http://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=26670&posts=11

Hi,

I have just changed my leisure battery and posted this info under another stream.

It might also be heplful for people in this post.

Chasis is a 2004 peugeot,

"I have now removed the battery and replaced the 85ah Green power battery with 100ah Elecsol battery which is a no maintenance leisure battery that I bought for a Bongo I used to have.

http://www.elecsolbatteries.com/products/Leisure-Batteries/Elecsol-100.html

The battery fits perfectly between the front and back floor mounted stays but is a fraction to long to go in=between the clamp bolts at either end. The solution was to simply "nibble" away a little bit of the lip on the bottom of the battery where the clamp bolts are. This is not part of the main battery body but an added bit to enable clamping"