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The Monkey



Member Since: 11 Aug 2013
Location: Meath
Posts: 63

Ireland 
Batteries....
Hello all,
In about 5 weeks we're heading off around Europe and the Balkins for 8 weeks. I had originally planned on running 3 batteries.

My regular starting battery,
1 leisure battery for the fridge
1 battery for tent electrics phones and light and awning lights.

But I've since been thinking that maybe one leisure battery will be enough.
Can any one give me some advice. I had been planing on buying a

Halfords Leisure Battery HLB700.
Up to 1200 watt hours
Up to 200 cycles
NCC Class: B
Startup Power: 850 Amps
Voltage: 12V
Capacity: 100Ah

Cheers and thanks.
Post #992632 14th May 2023 8:06pm
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Mdm



Member Since: 11 Sep 2013
Location: Sunny Lancashire
Posts: 1523

United Kingdom 
a lot depends on what space you have and where you plan to site the battery.

110-130 amp leisure are common and reasonable money.

assuming your fitting a split charge to it as well?

halfords have good warranty but a better brand name like yuasa/numax / etc would be my choice.
Post #992639 14th May 2023 8:26pm
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wyvern



Member Since: 14 Dec 2009
Location: Cornwall
Posts: 2068

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Firenze Red
We have a simple 110 amp/hr battery for hotel services, (plus the original starter battery for just the vehicle needs) which keeps our vehicle running extra LED internal lights, night heater and water pump, numerous USB devices and an inverter for camera/laptop charging, and have had no issues on extended trips.

On a trip like you are looking at the engine will be used most days so the batteries will be kept topped up and mobile device will be charged when on the road.

We dont have a fridge so am not sure on how much drain you will have to keep this running, but expect that you would be ok on just 2 batteries provided that you are not draining a silly amount of power

but you could have a portable ‘jump stater’ battery pack as a simple back up rather than fit a 3rd battery to the system.

We are looking to do a similer trip next year so would love to hear how you get on.

Thumbs Up Poppy - TDCI (Puma) 110XS 2.2 - Camper conversion - see the build here - https://www.defender2.net/forum/topic56530.html
Elgar -TDCI(Puma) 110XS Dormobile - now sold
Devon & Cornwall 4x4 Response - DC126
Post #992641 14th May 2023 8:37pm
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steveww



Member Since: 05 Jan 2022
Location: Uppingham
Posts: 529

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Bronze Green
I do not bother with the complexity of twin batteries, split charge and inverter.

I use a Jackery 1000 https://uk.jackery.com/products/jackery-ex...-generator The solar panels charge it when sunny at camp.

It charges from the car when driving, will run the fridge for a week, charges phones, lights, etc.

WE've also used ay home when there's a power cut.
Post #992679 15th May 2023 10:30am
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The Monkey



Member Since: 11 Aug 2013
Location: Meath
Posts: 63

Ireland 
[quote="Mdm"]a lot depends on what space you have and where you plan to site the battery.

110-130 amp leisure are common and reasonable money.

assuming your fitting a split charge to it as well?

halfords have good warranty but a better brand name like yuasa/numax / etc would be my choice.
wyvern wrote:
t charge already bought. I'm going to mount it in the rear Tub behind the bulkhead and make a seal battery Box in there. Halfors are mad by Yuasa as far as I'm aware. Didn't want to over complicate things.







[quote="wyvern"]We have a simple 110 amp/hr battery for hotel services, (plus the original starter battery for just the vehicle needs) which keeps our vehicle running extra LED internal lights, night heater and water pump, numerous USB devices and an inverter for camera/laptop charging, and have had no issues on extended trips.

On a trip like you are looking at the engine will be used most days so the batteries will be kept topped up and mobile device will be charged when on the road.

We dont have a fridge so am not sure on how much drain you will have to keep this running, but expect that you would be ok on just 2 batteries provided that you are not draining a silly amount of power

but you could have a portable ‘jump stater’ battery pack as a simple back up rather than fit a 3rd battery to the system.

We are looking to do a similer trip next year so would love to hear how you get on.

Thumbs Up


I think one battery will be enough. The phones can be charged during the day the fridge kicks in and out and the lights are only 3 watts so very low power. I've a portable jumper pack aswell. I'll keep the forum posted. Thanks for the reply
Post #992681 15th May 2023 10:40am
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The Monkey



Member Since: 11 Aug 2013
Location: Meath
Posts: 63

Ireland 
wyvern wrote:
We have a simple 110 amp/hr battery for hotel services, (plus the original starter battery for just the vehicle needs) which keeps our vehicle running extra LED internal lights, night heater and water pump, numerous USB devices and an inverter for camera/laptop charging, and have had no issues on extended trips.

On a trip like you are looking at the engine will be used most days so the batteries will be kept topped up and mobile device will be charged when on the road.

We dont have a fridge so am not sure on how much drain you will have to keep this running, but expect that you would be ok on just 2 batteries provided that you are not draining a silly amount of power

but you could have a portable ‘jump stater’ battery pack as a simple back up rather than fit a 3rd battery to the system.

We are looking to do a similer trip next year so would love to hear how you get on.

Thumbs Up


I think one battery will be enough. The phones can be charged during the day the fridge kicks in and out and the lights are only 3 watts so very low power. I've a portable jumper pack aswell. I'll keep the forum posted. Thanks for the reply
Post #992683 15th May 2023 10:41am
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The Monkey



Member Since: 11 Aug 2013
Location: Meath
Posts: 63

Ireland 
Mdm wrote:
a lot depends on what space you have and where you plan to site the battery.

110-130 amp leisure are common and reasonable money.

assuming your fitting a split charge to it as well?

halfords have good warranty but a better brand name like yuasa/numax / etc would be my choice.


Ive a split charge already bought. I'm going to mount it in the rear Tub behind the bulkhead and make a seal battery Box in there. Halfors are mad by Yuasa as far as I'm aware. Didn't want to over complicate things.
Post #992684 15th May 2023 10:43am
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captain slow



Member Since: 22 Jun 2011
Location: Herts
Posts: 350

United Kingdom 2014 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 CSW Corris Grey
steveww wrote:
I do not bother with the complexity of twin batteries, split charge and inverter.

I use a Jackery 1000 https://uk.jackery.com/products/jackery-ex...-generator The solar panels charge it when sunny at camp.

It charges from the car when driving, will run the fridge for a week, charges phones, lights, etc.

WE've also used ay home when there's a power cut.


I agree. I think this is a simpler solution. 2.2 Tdci 110 XS CSW Corris Grey
Prince Harry's D3 (gone but not forgotten)
300 Tdi 110 CSW (gone but not forgotten)
Post #992705 15th May 2023 12:47pm
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The Monkey



Member Since: 11 Aug 2013
Location: Meath
Posts: 63

Ireland 
They're 1500 pounds. It's money I don't have spare unfortunately.
Post #992782 15th May 2023 9:16pm
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sako243



Member Since: 08 Jul 2014
Location: Wales
Posts: 1186

Wales 1994 Defender 110 300 Tdi CSW Alpine White
For what it's worth I just used an old 110Ah starter battery from the Range Rover in mine for the fridge and a couple of auxiliaries via a split charge.

If you're on the move all the time it doesn't really matter as they'll be topped up continuously. We've done plenty of similar when guiding some offroad trips around Scotland and we could quite happily charge phones overnight, keep the fridge running and the CB during lunch stops etc., without any issue. I think we also left the fridge running for three or four days whilst we stopped off at my nans without any issue.

Apart from the split charge it cost nothing but a bit of time as I had the wiring and battery lying around. Capacity and battery type really only come into play if you're parked up for a long period. Ed
82 Hotspur Sandringham 6x6
95 Defender 110 300Tdi
Post #992807 16th May 2023 7:15am
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steveww



Member Since: 05 Jan 2022
Location: Uppingham
Posts: 529

United Kingdom 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 XS CSW Bronze Green
The Monkey wrote:
They're 1500 pounds. It's money I don't have spare unfortunately.


Google is your friend here. I found my set up considerably less expensive than that.
Post #992893 16th May 2023 6:12pm
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The Monkey



Member Since: 11 Aug 2013
Location: Meath
Posts: 63

Ireland 
sako243 wrote:
For what it's worth I just used an old 110Ah starter battery from the Range Rover in mine for the fridge and a couple of auxiliaries via a split charge.

If you're on the move all the time it doesn't really matter as they'll be topped up continuously. We've done plenty of similar when guiding some offroad trips around Scotland and we could quite happily charge phones overnight, keep the fridge running and the CB during lunch stops etc., without any issue. I think we also left the fridge running for three or four days whilst we stopped off at my nans without any issue.

Apart from the split charge it cost nothing but a bit of time as I had the wiring and battery lying around. Capacity and battery type really only come into play if you're parked up for a long period.


I'm doing similar! The fan we bought is rechargeable so only thing will be the fridge, awning lights 3watt and maybe charging a phone.
Post #993053 17th May 2023 10:26pm
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Timcat



Member Since: 20 Jul 2016
Location: Tanzania at the moment
Posts: 1005

United Kingdom 2012 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 SW Indus Silver
Do you want the long or short answer?? Two questions, how deep are your pockets & how much use will the system get?

100-110ah AGM or similar will be absolutely fine for your needs depending on park up time & draw.

The Jackery type all in one units are also superb ( friends of ours are using that system as permanent travelers)

We have opted for dc-dc & 100ah lithium system which runs our set up as it is for days & days with the added help of solar. Total cost of our system was just over £1k plus the solar but that’s a permanent traveler set up.

If your planning on a weekend / week here & there you can achieve this with the 100 / 110ah std battery plus a basic split charge set up ( national Luna do a bomb proof system)

Hope this helps…
Post #994420 29th May 2023 6:56pm
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Mo Murphy



Member Since: 01 Jun 2008
Location: Letchworth Garden City, Herts
Posts: 2077

United Kingdom 1984 Defender 90 200 Tdi HT Pennine Grey
Don't overthink it Monkey. If it's a touring trip and if you are driving most days then a simple voltage sensing split charge system and a leisure battery will suit your needs. Simple, inexpensive and easy to replace parts in event of failure. Tempting though it is, don't rely on a single battery as if you stay anywhere for more than a couple of days, the fridge will flatten it.
An alternative to a second battery is a mains hook up if you are staying at large campsites, simply run the fridge on 230v whilst camping.
Mains hook ups can be had cheaply from plenty of reputable suppliers.
HTH
Mo The Land Rover 90 - Many are called, few are chosen.
Post #994481 30th May 2023 12:30pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7682

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
as Mo said, keep it simple. 2 batts is plenty. if driving every day and its a decent fridge your do it off one decent battery.

my preference would be two batts, one starter and 2nd aux battery (i use Numax) on a split charge. my setup will do 3 days no engine run on CXV31 leisure for charging, lights, engel fridge. Cheers

James
110 XS Utility
130 Puma Station wagon/camper (in the making)
90 Puma Hardtop
Post #994485 30th May 2023 1:06pm
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