snowy Posted May 26, 2019 Share Posted May 26, 2019 I read in the April 19 MMM magazine about the Yuasa-EFB battery(100ah), it says that Yuasa also make the identical Battery for Halfords, the HLB 700 model ( NCC rated Class B). When I called into Halfords to check it out, it says it is class B and okay for the odd night off grid, it recommends class A for long term off grid. I am due to replace my cab and both leisure batteries in the couple of months. I was going to use the Varta LFD 90 or the Yuasa L36. which seems to be the main ones spoken about here. I am not sure about the Yuasa L36 now, I feel as if I am missing some information some where. I use a 100 watt Solar Panel and have no problems with my running low on voltage ,even after 4 or 5 days on my Pilote five year old batteries, Any information would be welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hallii Posted May 26, 2019 Share Posted May 26, 2019 In view of the lack of replies I will suggest that Varta or Bosch batteries are, in my experience , as good as you will get. H Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buster30 Posted May 26, 2019 Share Posted May 26, 2019 I have just bought a couple of Bosch 90LFD batteries from Alpha Batteries, excellent price and fantastic service, highly recommended Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted May 26, 2019 Share Posted May 26, 2019 And ignore the NCC rating, it's all a load of make believe... http://www.aandncaravanservices.co.uk/campaign-for-battery-change.php Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin Posted May 26, 2019 Share Posted May 26, 2019 Iirc Alan's advise is Yuasa if you can vent, Varta if you can't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted May 27, 2019 Share Posted May 27, 2019 The “POWER PUNCH” article on Pages 226-227 of the April 2019 issue of MMM magazine has a piece on the Yuasa L36-EFB (100Ah) battery with a quoted price of £109.99. As Snowy says, the MMM article states Yuasa also makes the identical £105 Halfords HLB700 model (NCC rated Class B), which is a little cheaper but does have a picture of a caravan on it, so we’d buy this model The MMM article has no stated author, but the on-line Halfords advert for the HLB700 https://www.halfords.com/motoring/bulbs-blades-batteries/leisure-batteries/halfords-leisure-battery-hlb700 shows the label bearing a ‘picture of a caravan’ and identifying the battery as an “EFBLeisure Battery”. The photo of the L36-EFB battery on Yuasa’s own website https://www.yuasa.co.uk/batteries/leisure-marine-garden/leisure-batteries/l26-111.html shows that this is visually identical (except for the labelling) to the Halfords HLB700 and the technical specification provided on the Halfords advert matches the technical specification on the Yuasa webpage. So it’s reasonable to assume that the MMM article is correct and that the Halfords HLB700 is indeed a re-labelled Yuasa L36-EFB. The (limited credibility) NCC Verified Leisure Battery Scheme defines the Class B category as Category B batteries are aimed at those who frequently use sites with hook-up facilities, but require a greater battery capacity to operate devices such as motor movers. The Yuasa L36-EFB and Halfords HLB700 both appear in the Class B listing https://www.thencc.org.uk/downloads/NCC_Verified_Leisure_Battery_Scheme_Website_March_2019_Final.pdf though the data for Capacity (Ah) and Life Cycles 50% DoD differ for both (apparently identical) batteries. The Varta LFD90 battery is not in the NCC listing and its asking--price tends to be a bit cheaper than the Yuasa L36-EFB. Both batteries are ‘dual purpose’ type (ie. both have a motor-starting capability) and neither is designed to have its electrolyte-level topped up. Allan Evans (aandncaravan) commented on the Yuasa L36-EFB and on venting in this forum thread https://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/Motorhomes/Motorhome-Matters/Leisure-battery-recommendation/50804/ As the Yuasa and Varta batteries can both have a vent-tube attached, unless it’s verging on the impossible to fit a tube, it would be sensible to fit one in both instances. (As Colin says, Allan’s advice is that - during normal operation - a Varta LFD90 won’t gas.) The Varta LFD90 was Allan’s original favourite for a reasonably-priced good performance motorhome-suitable leisure battery and plenty of forum members have fitted this battery during the last several years and (to the best of my knowledge) their ‘ownership experience’ has fully confirmed Allan’s recommendation. The Yuasa L36-EFB began to be marketed in the UK more recently and its in-use record as a motorhome leisure-battery consequently has a shorter history. The Varta LF90 is a known quantity: the Yuasa L36-EFB less so. There’s every reason to think that Allan’s opinion of the Yuasa L36-EFB will be borne out in practice, but the Varta LFD90 is a proven product and the Yuasa has yet to fully prove itself. Personally, I’m comfortable accepting Allan’s confidence in the Yuasa L36-EFB and that’s the one I’d go for - but I’d be happy to fit a Varta LFD90 if I felt it necessary to save a few quid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weldted Posted May 27, 2019 Share Posted May 27, 2019 Following AandN excellent battery advice I purchased two Yuasa L36-EFB 100 amp. These were to replace my Exide Marine 130 amp. I was a bit concerned losing a potential 60 amps of capacity but have to say am very pleased with their performance. I fitted them August 2018 and have been away in the van since 4th of November. They are linked to 300 watts of solar panels using a Votronic 450 mttp dual output regulator. Mains charging by way of a Victron 30 amp Bluetooth charger. Fairly heavy use of tv Aldie heating etc so they cycle down to no less than 60% of their capacity fairly regularly but seem to recover quickly. Although in France with the low sun I use where it will not disturb others my Honda Eu10i. As previously posted I am able to use the mains charger when on the move as I run my inverter from the engine battery, this also allows me to run the fridge freezer on mains power which avoids the upto 17 amps d.c.draw which would be constant. Against the mains being temp controlled. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowy Posted May 28, 2019 Author Share Posted May 28, 2019 Enjoyed reading the replies on the replacements, especially the one by Derek, I certainly wish I had the way of clarity in writing that you have. I contacted Halfords Customer Services, and they confirmed that all their batteries are made by Yuasa. The equivalent one to the L36-EFB was the Halfords HLB 700 as the article said. I will replace the batteries in August, so I think it will be with the Halfords ones, and save on the delivery charge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted May 28, 2019 Share Posted May 28, 2019 Snowy, If you can find anyone with a Halfords Trade Card you can get a 20% discount on the usual price! Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowy Posted May 28, 2019 Author Share Posted May 28, 2019 Thanks for that information, I didn,t know they done a trade card. That would save me an extra £60. I will ask around to see if anyone I know has one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted May 28, 2019 Share Posted May 28, 2019 https://www.halfords.com/advice/motoring/trade-card/trade-card Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowy Posted May 28, 2019 Author Share Posted May 28, 2019 My son is going to apply for one, I knew he would come in handy one day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted May 29, 2019 Share Posted May 29, 2019 Regarding the validity of the NCC Verified Leisure Battery Scheme, it’s worth noting the enquiry on Page 168 of the July 2019 issue of MMM magazine. The enquiry (in the Tech help! section) asks about the advisability of using a Halfords HLB800 AGM battery as a leisure-battery for a 2014 Elddis motorhome and the response from Clive Mott highlights that the Elddis’s charging system would not fully charge that battery. The Halfords HLB800 and its Yuasa L36-AGM twin both appear in the Class A list of the NCC scheme (as do several other AGM batteries) but - as Allan Evans has emphasised here previously - such batteries demand specialised charging to achieve their full potential. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickt Posted May 29, 2019 Share Posted May 29, 2019 I fitted 2 Yuasa L36 EFB last December and so far they have performed well, that is I only camp of grid and have a 80watt solar. Mine came from Alpha Batteries at £119 each with 3 year guarantee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest pelmetman Posted May 29, 2019 Share Posted May 29, 2019 Buster30 - 2019-05-26 9:27 PM I have just bought a couple of Bosch 90LFD batteries from Alpha Batteries, excellent price and fantastic service, highly recommended I've got 3 :D ........ Starter and leisure in the camper.......and just leisure in the Carlight Caravan.........which I now rotate once a year ;-) .............. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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