Caravan Battery we think is dead even though we have solar

[JTQ]

Tayna have been known to allow a little bit of discount to those who are members of the two big clubs, if asked.
Though IMO the predominant reason for using them is their massive turnover of stock and knowledge of how to treat their stock. A big plus to start with a healthy battery.

 

[IanB1485]

There is also alpha batteries , not used them myself other people have said good things of them.

 

[Martin_E]

There is also alpha batteries , not used them myself other people have said good things of them.

I have used them several times, excellent service/delivery the explorer semi traction batteries are very good and seem to last.

 

[Buckman]

Tayna have been known to allow a little bit of discount to those who are members of the two big clubs, if asked.
Though IMO the predominant reason for using them is their massive turnover of stock and knowledge of how to treat their stock. A big plus to start with a healthy battery.

The big issue with buying off the internet is if the battery needs to be returned due to it being faulty. A real big hassle and normally you need to pay for the carriage which is reimbursed if the battery is proved to be faulty.

 

[JTQ]

The big issue with buying off the internet is if the battery needs to be returned due to it being faulty. A real big hassle and normally you need to pay for the carriage which is reimbursed if the battery is proved to be faulty.

Clearly yes if it has to be return as defective or incorrectly ordered, but in reality buying from these major battery retailers/wholesale outlets the chances of it being a defective lead acid battery is very low, considerably lower than from a non principal, low turn over vendor. Their stock is likely to be fresh, they know how to look after them and as importantly they use couriers who know what they are doing.

Its never happened to me or within family & friends who I have helped with battery issues; Lead acid technology is very well sorted and as long as you don't seek budget brands, a new and genuinely "fresh" battery is going to have a very high reliability.
IME where the issues arise and there is a return, it is not the battery failing but being abused that is by far the bigger issue. One, some major retailers I feel take on the chin to avoid being bad mouthed as the internet so readily facilitates one sided, half stories.

 

[Buckman]

Clearly yes if it has to be return as defective or incorrectly ordered, but in reality buying from these major battery retailers/wholesale outlets the chances of it being a defective lead acid battery is very low, considerably lower than from a non principal, low turn over vendor. Their stock is likely to be fresh, they know how to look after them and as importantly they use couriers who know what they are doing.

Its never happened to me or within family & friends who I have helped with battery issues; Lead acid technology is very well sorted and as long as you don't seek budget brands, a new and genuinely "fresh" battery is going to have a very high reliability.
IME where the issues arise and there is a return, it is not the battery failing but being abused that is by far the bigger issue. One, some major retailers I feel take on the chin to avoid being bad mouthed as the internet so readily facilitates one sided, half stories.

Several years ago a battery we bought for our Corolla went faulty and was not holding the charge. The previous battery was over 10 years old. We could have returned the battery paying the courier, but the battery is regarded as hazardous material and that is where the issues lay as the LA battery needed some seals fitted in addition to secure packaging.

Eventually I decided it was not worth the hassle and bought a battery locally paying a little extra and that battery lasted until we sold the car last year. Nothing against buying a battery Online as very unusual for a LA battery to go faulty, just a warning.

 

[JTQ]

We could have returned the battery paying the courier, but the battery is regarded as hazardous material and that is where the issues lay as the LA battery needed some seals fitted in addition to secure packaging.

With Tayna the battery comes within a protective sealed "bag" & in my cases a transit vent plug.
I for a short time keep that to hand, though never have needed to. Surely Tayna will advise on suitable courier choice for returns, in part of setting up the return process?

 

[IanB1485]

Yes tayna batteries turn up well packaged, inc the sealed bag , which says "open immediately in open air" so you don't get gassed when opening it very thoughtful of them.
Like like JTQ I always keep the packaging for a year , just in case and after that period the cat usually claims the cardboard box as his new bed,till another one comes along!

 

[RogerL]

The big issue with buying off the internet is if the battery needs to be returned due to it being faulty. A real big hassle and normally you need to pay for the carriage which is reimbursed if the battery is proved to be faulty.

Is it a big issue? What % of batteries are faulty?

I've had one delivered faulty, the case was damaged in transit - sent the supplier photos and they refunded the money but didn't want the faulty battery back.

 

[Buckman]

Is it a big issue? What % of batteries are faulty?

I've had one delivered faulty, the case was damaged in transit - sent the supplier photos and they refunded the money but didn't want the faulty battery back.

I never implied that the battery itself was a big issue however I did state that returning the battery for inspection was an issue. Please read my post again. It is up to the individual if they want to buy Online, but I know what I would do if I had to buy another battery.

 

[RogerL]

I never implied that the battery itself was a big issue however I did state that returning the battery for inspection was an issue. Please read my post again. It is up to the individual if they want to buy Online, but I know what I would do if I had to buy another battery.

You said "the big issue" - I'm suggesting it's not a big issue as few batteries are faulty and need returning - it's no more an issue than returning anything to the manufacturer for warranty whether bought online or in a shop.

 

[otherclive]

Some time ago I preceeeded Buckmans experience in trying to return a “mechanically “ faulty battery to Tanya. Initially I kept being referred to the manufacturer. Eventually after insisting on my rights Tanya agreed to accept the battery back providing I arranged transport and at my cost. As Buckman says a used battery is classed as hazardous waste and only a licensed courier can transport it. Eventually Tanya agreed to arrange their transport company to bring me a new one and collect the old one providing it was packaged as per a new battery. I didn’t ask if the courier was licenced.

Well documented in some of my historical posts.

 

[Hutch]

Well since following this thread, I put my two batteries on charge, Normal caravan battery 7 years old, started charging at 12.65 volts, left that for a day. All ok. Left to sit for several hours 12 .9 volts.
Went to the "spare battery , ex My Santa Fe, 12 years old, dismay to find it's sitting at 10.6 volts, put it on a recovery charge, for 24 hours. Charger eventually went to "end". Unfortunately still at 10.6 volts, so will take that one to the tip,

 

[Dustydog]

The couple who own it go on holiday, it’s a bungalow attached to a field where the caravans are stored. Security fence all the way around and barrier at the front.

We don’t mind it’s closed as we only start heading out for holidays around the April / May if booking

Hope the T Leafs don’t know 🙉

 

[IanB1485]

In t'he old days a senior engineer were I did my technical apprenticeship had previously worked on diesel electric submarines looking after the batteries. He showed me how to take apart batteries ( they used to have rubber casings and sealed with bitumen ) and scrape the sulphate off the plates( or placing them in boiling water to dissolve the lead sulphate) and refit and re-fill with the correct concentration of acid. Those days are long gone now with sealed batteries being the norm. It's really frustrating that when one cell shorts out either through piercing the insulation between the plates or debris build up. Batteries (50 years ago) used to have about 25mm beneath the plates for debris to collect without shorting out the plates, but over time this seems to have been reduced in the drive for smaller higher capacity batteries. I've never used them but the AGM batteries claim to have a higher vibration resistance which may help prevent shorting out when flat ( the plates tend to swell when discharged). I have ,out of curiosity, cut open several 'dead' batteries , having emptied and neutralised the remaining acid with baking power (THO often wondered why we used so much).I never really determined how the batteries had failed as when separating the plates of the offending cell the plates tended to disintegrate, so after a while I gave up cutting them open and was resigned to just taking them to the council tip.I did watch a couple of videos were a battery was cleaned with coke a cola ( phosphoric acid) and the electrolyte was replaced with a slightly acidic solution(Epsom salts) Its intriguing:- see

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq-LSj1aV64

 

[otherclive]

In t'he old days a senior engineer were I did my technical apprenticeship had previously worked on diesel electric submarines looking after the batteries. He showed me how to take apart batteries ( they used to have rubber casings and sealed with bitumen ) and scrape the sulphate off the plates( or placing them in boiling water to dissolve the lead sulphate) and refit and re-fill with the correct concentration of acid. Those days are long gone now with sealed batteries being the norm. It's really frustrating that when one cell shorts out either through piercing the insulation between the plates or debris build up. Batteries (50 years ago) used to have about 25mm beneath the plates for debris to collect without shorting out the plates, but over time this seems to have been reduced in the drive for smaller higher capacity batteries. I've never used them but the AGM batteries claim to have a higher vibration resistance which may help prevent shorting out when flat ( the plates tend to swell when discharged). I have ,out of curiosity, cut open several 'dead' batteries , having emptied and neutralised the remaining acid with baking power (THO often wondered why we used so much).I never really determined how the batteries had failed as when separating the plates of the offending cell the plates tended to disintegrate, so after a while I gave up cutting them open and was resigned to just taking them to the council tip.I did watch a couple of videos were a battery was cleaned with coke a cola ( phosphoric acid) and the electrolyte was replaced with a slightly acidic solution(Epsom salts) Its intriguing:- see

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq-LSj1aV64

My father would buy his car batteries from a company in Leicester who rebuilt batteries. Kept his motoring outgoings affordable. I bought a rebuilt unit from an outlet just outside Devonport Naval Base. Too small though to be an O boat one.

 

[JTQ]

If its in your interest to keep in with your favourite small automotive garage, they are quite likely to welcome you giving them your old lead acid batteries. Particularly our relatively heavy caravan batteries.
If like mine, they can get a good bit of money for them.

This high scrap value accounts for why on getting any hint you are bringing one into a council household waste centre, the licence holder can be so very willing to lift these heavy lumps out for you!