The best AGM leisure batteries for a campervan conversion
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 17 дек 2020
- The best AGM leisure batteries for a campervan conversion
I upgrade my batteries to AGM A big thank you to Alpha Batteries for all their help and advice with my upgrade.
12v 115AH Expedition Plus AGM Deep Cycle Leisure Battery
For more detailed information click the link below
amzn.to/3Bnha0f
Benefits and features
Deep cycle AGM non-spill technology. Can be mounted in any orientation
Over 700 life cycles at 50% depth of discharge
4-year warranty
Maintenance-free - dry cell so no topping up with water
My Amazon Store
Where you will find everything that I have used in my van builds. Plus more great van life essentials.
www.amazon.co.uk/shop/melsvan...
3 months FREE of Amazon Music Unlimited
www.amazon.co.uk/music/unlimi... life build
UK Handmade Eco-Friendly Products
www.amazon.co.uk/handmade/b/?...
here's a link to my woodstove
cubicminiwoodstoves.com/colle...
here's a link to the scan tool I use www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...
POWEROAK Portable Power Generator
www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B...
#bigvansmallworld #vanlife #offgridcampervan 
Хобби
My aim is to give you campervan conversion ideas on how to convert a van into a camper and to help inspire you to build your own tiny home on wheels
please consider subscribing to my channel I really do appreciate your support thank you.
To really help support my channel why no join my member's community and get to see my videos first and without adverts, Don't forget to turn on notifications by clicking the Bell thank you 👍🤓👍
ruclips.net/channel/UC72V8FXcD4SIxZx7_P6Ak9gjoin
My Amazon Store
Where you will find everything that I have used in my van builds. Plus more great van life essentials.
www.amazon.co.uk/shop/melsvanworld
John has reccomended EQM-31M
Carbon Nano Gel Battery to me to fit under drivers seat great help they are...no need for lithium
I was also super impressed with Alpha Batteries when I bought mine, they listerned for a start and didn't push me towards something I didn't need and also did try to get me to open a trade account which I couldn't do, like another BIG battery company tried to do. Another good video Mel and what a natural Rebecca is infront of the camera.
Thank you for positive feedback that’s really appreciated 👍😊👍
Useful as always, thanks Mel 👍🏻
Thank you
Love following your van builds you have a great Chanel. Hope you have an awesome Christmas 🎄 keep safe
Thank you buddy merry Christmas 🎄
Hi Mel. Have enjoyed ur videos thru the year. Great tips and how to. Always with a bit of humour thrown in. Merry Christmas
Thank you that’s really kind of you to say I really appreciate your taking the time to comment merry Christmas 🎄 👍👍🍻
Thanks for recommending. I shall give John a ring. Thanks Rebecca 😊, thanks Mel 😊
Thank you you’re absolutely welcome 👍
hi Mel 😊 been watching your channel for for ages mate and find it very informative and entertaining 👍 this is the first time I've commented but will be doing so more often 👍 keep up the good work and stay safe 😊
Thank you for taking the time to comment and thank you for your support really appreciated 👍😊👍
I used Alpha Batteries too. Peter there was really helpful and my batteries arrived quickly with no fuss. Agree with your recommendation 👍
Thank you for the positive feedback really appreciated
Thanks for the information Mel. Will be paying Alpha Batteries a visit for batteries for my own van build as luckily they are only 30 miles away from my home in Preston. Cheers Mel 😊
You’re absolutely welcome thanks for your positive encouragement really appreciated
Hi Mel
Just ordered 2 of those AGM batteries from Alpha batteries, put a note with order that I’d seen them on your channel,good luck with future content
Rod .
Thank you buddy 👍
Great video.
Thank you 😊
Top job Mel 👍
Thank you
Nice one Mel, always love a Mel video 👍 The work is always to a high class 👍 How you doing? Also have a awesome Christmas 🎄 👍👍
Thank you Bex you too sweetheart 👍
Haha, gen thought you was gunna reveal a couple a double A's 😂😂
Fantastic information. Love the way you convey your knowledge in the video, it's mega. Top banana 🍀🤘
Thank you 👍😂👍
good update
Thank you
First time viewer I'm so glad you posted update on your batteries I ordered 4 150ah gel AGM for home solar Was going to go to alfa batteries but went to Voltacon and received normal agm at 120 1lbs each I should of used alfa in the end lol So your video has been helpful as gel and agm are different and it's hard to find people with agm batteries now adays Will be following with interest
Wow just thinking about all that weight hurts my bad back.
@@spike178 lol I've got 6 now and yep they get my back too lol
I also use alpha batteries. Good company great customer services
Thank you yes they are 👍😊👍
Everyone needs a Rebecca under there bed , Winter is coming !
Great vid Mel ,,
@Neale Burgess Almost any inverter over 1500 watts can run a 240v fridge. The problem is the inverter draws power when its not being used. So you have to change the fridge wiring so that 12v goes thru the thermostat and not 240v. Use the fridge thermostat to control a 12v/240v relay and use the relay to send 240v to the compressor. The spare contacts in the relay is used as a switch to turn off the inverter so i run a trigger cable back to the switch on the front of the inverter. In my case i use 2.5mm CCTV plug connector. This is only suitable for those that are VERY confident in 240v and fully understands the wiring that's required.
An inverter override switch is fed back to the control panel so i can force the inverter ON when i need it for other stuff.
However you will save quite of lot of battery as overnight especially in the winter my fridge only turns on maybe once every 60/90 minsr for a few minutes and the rest of the time nothing is taking any power as its off. The result is i can use a £100 fridge and it draws only a tad more than a £900 12v fridge average over 24 hours.
Everything in a van is s time bomb. Make sure everything has the smallest fuse you can get away with in case of any problems. Make sure you can reach around the back of the fridge in emergency with a fire extinguisher. Same with inverters if you box them in how fast can you shut it down and reach it if it bust into flames. These things can and do happen.
An interesting and informative video. One day l will understand electrical things 🤣. You & Rebecca have a nice weekend 😀🍷🍺😃
Thank you and you 🍻👍
I've got the same battery monitor. I think it's very useful to see how much you are drawing from your batteries at a given time. It gives you the net balance, so if you have 5A in use and 2A coming from your solar it will show 3A.
Oh ok I didn’t think about it like that that’s golden 👍
Mel if you were going to buy a different budget monitor what would you go for. I dont want to spend all that on a Victron so wondered if you had any thoughts. Thank you. Love your videos.
Thanks, buying a AGM carbon battery from Alpha batteries soon, hoping for a discount code.
Ive just bought a yuasa AGM they sure do charge up fast
i recommend Alpha batteries too ! got my Leoch extreme 260ah agm battery from them and its been awesome in my van and my 360w solar panel has kept it charged up through my victron mppt charge controller with no probs and i'm not using a split or b to b charger !
Wow 260 AH I didn’t know that made them that big beast brilliant 👍🤓👍🍻
How can they even deliver that weight 😩 have lots steps to my house.
Even 150 Ah be too heavy, wanted 220 Ah no chance.
My best move was to buy a victron "smart" controller, as I can see what I need on the phone app. I don't normally need to see the voltages and stuff until it goes wrong.
I’m seriously thinking about getting one now 👍
Should I buy my hat now Mel😂😂
No lol 😂
My two AGM batteries in van are 12-year old and still work perfect similar to them you have with a screw on top 125A times two I treat em rough run the inverter until the alarm sounds on the inverter and then run the engine to charge I have battery to battery charge system split charges are too expensive and lose too many amps I have an isolator switch to disconnect the starter battery when in van I look on the diesel heater display to see what voltage batteries are at. Your batteries should last you many years.👏👏👏👍
That’s brilliant thank you for the positive message really appreciated 👍😊👍
Hi Mel I have just put a victron smart shunt in which has Bluetooth so I downloaded the app on my phone and very happy charge in and out how much solar battery charge everything you want at $208 here in Tasmania it’s a great price and investment.
I’m looking at them thank you 😊
I ordered a SUNRAY 109 camper, and I changed the 12v battery for two 6v gopower solar batteries, i heard they are much better🤔
I bet you did like the price Mel, where were they from again?
❤️💙❤️💙❤️💙#supportvanlifers
If you have two meters or a fancy switch you can see both in and out :) there is even a picture to help you wire it up :)
Thank you buddy 👍
@@BigVanSmallWorld ruclips.net/video/tObHbsSDWeQ/видео.html that will fry your brains LOL
Mel the victron is expensive for what it does, the AILi voltmeter does the same thing and costs £45 on amazon best thing i ever bought for my leisure battery. look it up you will save a small fortune. merry xmas.
Thank you I will have a look merry Christmas to you too
@@BigVanSmallWorld this is the other one All About RV mentions in the video - worth a look
Hi MEL great vid Robbie U K
Thank you Robbie
Thanks for the videos Mel. I'm just about to spend a few quid on a couple of AGMs. After seeing this and trawling the internet I've narrowed it down to these alphas or platinum brand. Both seem to be quite good value for money. If anyone has any opinions I'm all ears
They are really good but heavy 👍
@@BigVanSmallWorld thank you. They're not going in a van so thems the ones for me cheers again and see you soon 👍
Lovely batteries mel :) was extremely nice of them :) glad you have better batteries now :) I have no idea how well my battery are, can’t tell :(
Mel any chance you done a in depth video on how to put in the cut
off switch? Wouldn’t know where to start :( and I find your videos totally easy to follow as you get them simple but safe too :) something I feel safe to do have that installed. Another amazing video thanks Mel for being such a massive inspiration 😊🤗🤗💪👍
Thank you and yes I’ll see what I can do for you 👍😊👍
@@BigVanSmallWorld thank you buddy very very much appreciated for that :) your a massive inspiration to everyone :)
Hi Mel. I watched this with interest hoping you would show how you changed over the batteries in detail. There is a lot of debate around whether you should disconnect the negative or positive wire first from the terminal , and also which one you should re-connect first. Which way do you connect?? Thanks again, very helpful video :)
Hi Sharon always discount the negative first and reconnect the negative last 👍🤓👍
@@BigVanSmallWorld Thanks for such a quick reply Mel, you must have realised I had my spanner in my hand lol... Thanks again.
@@shazzam532 well luckily I had my phone in mine 👍🤓👍
Mel try the AILI battery monitor on Amazon well liked in the US Rv community and cheap. Pip pip
Thanks I’ll have a look 👍
Another plus for John @ Alpha
Thank you ☺️
Victron now do a bluetooth shunt, about £125 so no need to have a meter. The big advantage of a shunt is that it monitors your battery condition and remaining charge not just what is going into them.
Thank you 😊
you need two of them one for the input and one for the output make sure all charging source on one shunt and all load to the other shunt its a cheep fix
Thank you that’s brilliant
Hi Mel,
Loving your videos, I get a lot of helpful tips and advice from your cheerful channel.
I'm about to buy the leisure batteries for my camper conversion and while looking online for AGM deep cycle batteries I came across the same one's that you fitted in this video. There don't seem to be many (if any) reviews online so I'm wondering how you'd review them after a year of use? And would you recommend them to me?
Any advice would be very much appreciated :)
All the best and keep up the good work!
Max.
Hi Max they are great 👍
Okay great, I'll trust your judgement and go with them then. What size are your batteries? 115Ah?
yay
👍😊👍
Those battery monitors are very good for the money. Only about £15 on eBay I think. But what you can do is reset the counter and take a reading over 24h to see how many watts you have used. Also you can fully charge the batteries disconnect the solar and measure the power used to take the batteries down to 12v. This will tell you the condition of the batteries and when they are struggling and need replacing. 120Ah @ 12v 1440 watts about 700 watts per battery at 50% Finally it lets you see what is wasting power So the meter is not quite as dumb as you think..
Ohh well done 👍 thank you buddy 👍😊👍
👍👌
Hi Mel, hope you are well. Can you please advise what amp fuses I need to put in my fuse box for a diesel heater, gas alarm, water pump and 12v coolbox. Many thanks
Each device should have the fuse rating on them on a little label or in there users manual good luck 🤞
@@BigVanSmallWorld thanks Mel x
Hello everyone and Mel I have a renault kangoo 1.5 dci van thinking on building a small camper i want to make it as basic as possible with the right amount of power any ideas on battery and kit i would need
Watch today’s waffle 👍
Hi Mel, After a year of use, how have the batteries treated you?
I’m Looking to buy 2 or 3 of the same version as my current batteries have finally bit the dust
Hay buddy they are fantastic I highly recommended Alfa Battery’s send them an email tell them I sent you and you may get a discount my battery’s are doing great 👍
Seems building your own battery from life po4 cells is one way to bring them down to a reasonable price..
Not really that difficult to do, some wiring, a BMS and battery box if your so inclined... Or another technology that is becoming more popular is lithium titonate which should last a lifetime and are a very stable chemistry that can be charged in sub zero temperatures and charged extremely quickly, they are heavy though
Lithium will come down in price though and is already, will prowse has excellent info on lithium's
I'm sure these will serve you well for your needs
Thank you I’m really happy with what I have 👍
I use those meters in various trailer packs (portable battery in a box). They are great if you reset them when the battery is full (charged at home with a mans charger) so you can see what’s been taken out and what’s left, but they are not good as you note because they don’t “count up” when charging. I also have a Victron BMV712, and for around 10 times the price of that cheap meter it does everything you could ask for, and it even has an app for your mobile over Bluetooth to monitor things when driving or in bed. 👍
Brilliant 👍😊👍
Hi, did you vent your original batteries to the outside?
Yes
What was the name of that Fella and company again ? I didn't quite catch it 😂. No seriously I have used Alpha battery's twice now . Very quick delivery times. Only bad thing I had to pay £230 quid for my latest pair. Perhaps next time I'll try and Grift a free pair off them. 👍
Walk in and get them . I'm sure they wont see you 🤷♂️
Yeah love free batteries too from Alpha 😆 give lipos.
Im looking at getting a 200 agm leisure battery,is there any reason you use two batteries rather than just buying one big one before I make a mistake please Mel?im guessing its so you always have one whilst ones charging?Thanks loads
Hi ya it’s really down to what you need some people starting off just get one and then add another as they go they are connected up in parallel so charging them together and discharging them as one as well so I have 2 110 aph you should only discharge 50% which means I get 110 amph of power if I find I need more power I just simply add another 110 battery only down side is they are heavy good luck with your build 👍
Hi Mel what do you class an agm battery as on a solar controller I.e gel wet standard or sealed battery,very puzzled 😅
I’d say gel
@@BigVanSmallWorld thanks Mel
Hi I’ve fitted a usb in my motorhome I’ve run the wires off my reading light how would I put a cut off switch in ?
I’m sorry I really don’t know
So if I buy one of these batteries do I just plug my chargers into it? I only need it for my phone and laptop chargers in my large car that I camp in now and again.
Hi it just so happens in tomorrow’s video I have the perfect solution for you 👍🤓👍
Will you be making a Christmas Special Mel? I hope so 🙂👍
Probably not I’m sorry 😞
@@BigVanSmallWorld OK then. You, family and friends have a very Merry Christmas Mel and a Very Happy New year and don't forget get to come back 🙂🎈🎇🎆✨🎄🍻❄❤💙🎈👍
@@pa_maj.MARTINI-van-MAN thank you so much that’s really kind of you hope you have a wonderful time too 👍👋👋
@@BigVanSmallWorld 👍👍👍
Did u get them from JOHN at ALPHA batteries Mel 🤣😎👍
Yes how did you know 👍😂👍
shame you didnt get the Victron Energy SmartShunt 500 amp Battery Monitor (Bluetooth)
You know what I was looking at them this morning I may invest in one before the start of summer I’ve just had more important stuff to buy 👍😊👍
AGM's have a much lower internal resistance compared to regular flooded batteries. This means that will take a lot more current IF your b2b can push more. Its the reason why most Stop Start vehicles must use AGM. Mine charges at 43A on idle goes to about 47A when driving. So 47A * 14.3 = 670 Watts which basically means i can recover my typical 1/2Kw daily usage in an hour even without any solar whatsoever. Two 120Ah batteries should be enough to cope in any van. I have a mini QT microwave, toaster, 22" TV, quad camera system, Wifi GSM , Cloud PTZ security camera, pump, 240v under counter fridge freezer modified to turn the inverter off, (300wH in 24 hours) 6000W inverter and a 2000W inverter, 2 * 35A chargers for hook up. The lowest i seen this winter is 12.3 v
AGM's of course are more expensive but they are sealed and have a much higher cycle rate.
Thank you for your positive message really appreciated sounds like you have a great setup 👍😊👍
I am really interested in your fridge setup. Which inverter does it run from? And how does it control the inverter? Currently I am using a caravan fridge on gas, but would like to upgrade to electric.
Hi Mel just enquiring buddy if the Energy Expedition AGM 115ah batteries that you fitted were good and reliable. I am looking at the same batteries from Alpha and before I purchase them would like your thought and of course your wisdom as you are a wizard with the campervans Thanks Buddy Pete
Hi Pete I ended up putting 4 of them in my sprinter and they are really heavy but work ok
@@BigVanSmallWorld Thanks Mel just ordered 2 at the moment to see how they go. By the way we always watch your channel and have done for the last 3 years or more as when we were building our van you helped so much when we got stuck. Thanks so much for your reply it is really appreciated. Take care buddy, Pete.
Hi i have a 75ah semi traction battery with a vent tube do i unscrew the caps while charging thanks
If any battery has caps on it I would 👍
@@BigVanSmallWorld thanks
Hi Mel are you running 12v or 24v? Didn’t really understand running at 12.06v would be 50% usage.
12v
Of course 12 volt
Hi what was the reason to having 2 battery’s and not just one
Thanks
More stored power I have now got 4 👍
More POWER.
Don't you need special charger for agm batteries?
I have a ring DC to DC charge controller with MPPT solar all in one unit it’s bulk charges at 14.6 v and then float charge at 13.6 v as far as I’m aware that’s the best settings for AGMs they are still led acid just a lot better you could still use a standard VSR but would shorten the life of the AGMs as you run risk of over charging them 👍
so mel where the cats gone ,,only one mouth to feed now you is it lol
700 cycles is probably ok for the weekend warriors amongst us, but if you are cycling every day by living in your van, that's only two years, and that's as long as you keep your discharge to less than 50%. As someone else mentioned, with a little bit of thinking, lithium is now pretty affordable, and is much smaller and lighter for a given capacity. Plus of course, you can get away with having half the actual capacity, as you can safely discharge to almost 0% state of charge (So with lithium, 100Ah capacity, compares favourably to lead/acid 200Ah capacity).
Thank you that’s quite interesting
yes around 2 to 3 years is about right for a pair of good AGM's used pretty much daily. I built a battery rack for 3 over the wheel arch just in case but i bought 2 and its plenty enough. I can handle paying another £300 in a couple of years. Lithium is still around £1000 a battery that's too much compared to the £300 for a pair of AGM's plus lithium can and do go horribly wrong with disastrous consequences.
@@tonytca9439 That's what I meant about using the diy route. I sourced four CALB 100Ah cells, direct from China (don't knock it), for about £250, which included a set of bus-bars, the required battery management system unit, and even the stainless bolts and washers, to build it. I didn't even get stung for VAT on the way in. Add a couple of big jubilee clips to lock the cells together, and if you are feeling precious, put them in a nice plastic battery box. So possibly less than lead acid.
lipo 100 Ah batteries are £600+ upto £1000 each for good quality way too much, rather buy 120 Ah AGM for around £150 each.
Not buying grade B lipo batteries from China either complete waste of money.
Hey Mel do you ever go camping with the van ? Or do you just fix them up for people ? You should make some camping videos man 😂
Yes in the spring I’ll be gone 👍
@@BigVanSmallWorld very cool, im still waiting on my camper to come in, I really wanted a van, but i just bought a 2020 Jeep wrangler, if i can do it all over, I would’ve bought a 4 x 4 van 👍👍😎❤️
Hunting for link to Bat Monitor ???
In my Amazon store david you will find everything there 👍😊👍
@@BigVanSmallWorld But I looked there first LOL
Just be aware, I bought the same one and it packed in, i ended up getting the victron copy one off amazon
Have another look I forgot to put it there 😂😊👍
@@BigVanSmallWorld hey it suddenly turned up ..... :)
Sorry Mel, lithium is the way to go.........
No need to apologise if you got the means then go for it 👍
Hm, I have that same battery monitor in my box of goodies ready to fit onto Sprintie when I do the electrics. Wondering Womble has it too. I was considering getting a second one so I could have one on the solar input side as well as one on the output side - so I can keep an eye on both power in and out of 'Big Bertha' my 250AH AGM battery. I only have a cheap PWM solar charge controller for my 200W panel ( we get lots more sun here in NZ 😎), would love the Victron or CTEK stuff, but out of my price range currently - and hard to get here too. Which side did you put your shunt on? If I remember correctly mine will go between the battery and fusebox, so it should give me a more accurate read on power available/used. All About RVs did a great video on it - ruclips.net/video/tObHbsSDWeQ/видео.html - worth a watch. Keep the content coming.
Hi Linz I put my shunt on negative rite of the batteries so all negatives must go through it I didn’t think they would work on the positive that’s a good idea to use one on solar panel if you have a cheaper controller 👍 I’m sure big Bertha will be happy 😊 you got to look after her haha love it 😊 will I hope you have a wonderful sunny Christmas thank you for all the positive encouragement and feedback over the years let’s hope 2021 things will
Be better 👍🍻👍
@@BigVanSmallWorld Hi Mel - I just re-watched All About RVs video - I was putting the shunt between the Negative Busbar on the Fusebox and the battery - but now wonder about the inverter - as that doesn't go through the FuseBox - has its own big fat re-settable fuse - so now I've confused myself! In his video he has another 2 battery monitors, the last one is more like the Victron one, but still under US$50 - that might be worth a look - there is a link to it in the Video. He also shows how to use a simple 2 way switch to use the same monitor to do input and output - which could be useful. Sunny here today, but forecast is for it to be 'a bit British' over Xmas - ie dull, grey and wet - so don't be too jealous.😊 you never know, I might just finish editing the video of my trip down south (Southern Alps) last month to watch some motor racing... Have a good Xmas, give the cats some Turkey!
More free stuff Mel ? lol ;)
I really just like anyone I do have to work for everything I get 👍😊👍
@@BigVanSmallWorld agree , No such thing as a free Lunch , we all pay one way or another
cringey