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It is time to stop thinking that all wet acid batteries are the same.
We started this page about 7 years ago with the intention of trying to highlight that the 'Budgets' were not the low cost option they seem. Especially when they can cause charger and alternator destruction when they fail.
Almost all the Motorhome and Caravan mains Charger failures we saw were down to poor batteries, an overlarge battery bank or both.
So we began looking for a battery that wasn't expensive, had decent lifetime and was also kind to chargers.
The Varta LFD90/Bosch L5 range with Powerframe technology became our 'Best Budget Buy' recommendation back in 2013 and since then it's reputation has become legendary.
So much has happened since then, but particularly so in the last 12 months.
During the last few years the Leisure battery industry lost it's way by diverging off into over marketed, short life AGM's, leaving the Powerframe Bosch L5/Varta LFD 90 to have the up to £150 sector to itself.
With the industries realisation 12 months ago that AGM's were not delivering the promised life time when used as motorhome Leisure batteries, there was a massive flurry of activity that is leading to a whole string of exceptional EFB Leisure batteries set to enter the market in Summer 2019.
These new batteries use Enhanced Flooded Battery (EFB) technology, it is the technology of the moment, replacing AGM batteries in many of the big name car manufacturers vehicles like Audi, BMW, VW, Mercedes, Seat, etc.
Even Land Rover are searching for alternatives to poor performing AGM's.
These new advances and investment by the big manufacturers means the 'Best Budget Buy' Varta LFD/Bosch L range is getting really serious competition. While still an outstanding battery in almost every way it's no longer the only choice in that price range.
For example, the Yuasa L36-EFB was part of a 'secret' group test, that we saw the results of, that made the outstanding Varta LFD/Bosch L series batteries look the poor relation, the L36-EFB was that good.
PLEASE NOTE : The YUASA L36-100 is no where near as capable as the L36-EFB. The technology of the moment is Enhanced Flooded Batteries, the '100' version is a conventional battery.
Thanks to the high Carbon, etc. technology inside the Yuasa L36-EFB battery it is also higher capacity, 100Ah versus the Varta LFD's 90Ah. Yuasa claim a charging rate that is 1.7 times faster, which proves this has some major efficiency improvements over an old fashioned, conventional battery range.
We already have the Yuasa L36-EFB test data results to BS EN 50342, so it has laboratory data to back up it's 230 cycle capability, even though Yuasa understate it's capability at just 200 cycles. While it's resting voltage isn't as high as the Varta LFD90's 12.97v, it is still higher than a conventional batteries at about 12.8v, with a 50% discharged SOC of about 12.3v.
So it falls about half way between the VRLA column and the Yuasa YX Micron column in the battery SOC chart.
The Yuasa L36-EFB at around £120 is our new Mid Range Best Buy. While gassing is exceptionally low for this type of wet Acid battery, almost to Gel standards, Yuasa say a vent pipe to the outside is advised.
We need to find out more about all these new EFB batteries coming on to the market in 2019, until then please bear the above in mind when you read the page below, as it will take me a long time to rewrite the whole page.
Most of the technology comments below also apply to the Yuasa EFB which has achieved 230 cycles in testing versus the Bosch L series and Varta LFD's 200 cycles. So you can see the Yuasa EFB is special, but when you also consider it is a 100Ah battery, that raises it above the Varta LFD90's 90Ah as well.
The soon to launch Exide EFB Leisure range and Banner Batteries EFB offerings are apparently due Summer 2019 Launch.
Expect these batteries to all perform way above what we have seen before for only slightly more cost.
It uses a series of technical innovations under the heading of 'Powerframe', yet can be used on any standard Motorhome/Caravan mains charger, Solar Regulator or Alternator.
Johnson Controls build two identical battery ranges on the same production line, one labelled as Varta LFD and the other built for Bosch : the Bosch L series.
The Bosch L version sometimes has a better guarantee and different marketing, but it's specification is identical to the Varta LFD.
The Bosch L series and the Varta LFD range are our 'Best Budget Buy' batteries.
So why is a Varta LFD90 and the Bosch L5 so special?
A conventional battery starts to corrode internally from the moment it is used, as in the photo on the left above. Corrosion, some times called Grid Growth, acts as a barrier to current flow. Plate Corrosion also causes 'Paste shedding' which can result in a battery Self Discharging faster than normal.
You can see from the photo on the Right, that Powerframe technology reduces this Corrosion to zero levels, which also means zero fluid loss. It endows the battery with higher efficiency than anything in it's class, Bosch/Varta claim up to 70% better electrical flow as the batteries age.
Bosch claims very high charge acceptance - it is one of the fastest charging wet batteries around on conventional Alternators and mains chargers, yet because of it's efficiency, it places an overall lighter load on the charger than any other battery.
In the average Motorhome, it charges even faster than an AGM battery, yet the Varta/Bosch Powerframe doesn't suffer the AGM's charger intolerance, temperature issues and resultant short life.
The absence of Corrosion/Grid Growth also means that the normal loss of adhesion by the Lead Paste is reduced, so there is less 'Paste shedding' which is the primary cause of shorted plates and rapid self discharge. Therefore the battery AH Capacity does not deteriorate to the extent other batteries do, performing closer to maximum Ah capacity for longer, right up to end of life from exhaustion of the Paste/Active material.
The Powerframe high Silver content further adds to battery efficiency at both High and Low temperatures. The Bosch L5 Deep Cycle battery will start a big truck engine in freezing conditions and last longer and perform better than most batteries in hot Desert temperatures.
This technology also has very low self discharge rates. Put a perfect Varta/Bosch in the Shed in October and it will still be near to 'full charge' in March. Although an interim 3 month charge is recommended.
So How Does It Manage To Be So Good?
The special Silver Alloy Grid is manufactured using a rolling and stamping process, which changes the molecular structure of the metal resulting in it becoming highly corrosion resistant.
This combination of the Silver Alloy (Silver is a very efficient electrical conductor with exceptional anti-corrosion properties) and the Rolling process makes a huge difference to the way it behaves. There are several other clever manufacturing touches, but the Powerframe Silver Alloy Grid is the key.
This resistance to corrosion not only improves battery efficiency, but when corrosion is the primary cause of Wet Acid battery failure, battery life is also dramatically improved over a conventional battery.
See the chart below from a battery Lifetime study of thousands of batteries showing that 86% of Wet Acid batteries go 'End of Life' from Grid Corrosion as the primary cause of failure.
If you take Corrosion damage out of the equation, you have the potential for one very long life battery where the actual cycle life of the battery will determine it's replacement, not some other side issue :
Two other things you might note about the above chart -
1. That AGM and Gel (VRLA) suffer slightly less from Corrosion, but it still destroyed nearly 60% of all AGM/Gel batteries in the survey
2. That 33% of AGM and Gel batteries died from 'drying out'. Remember hearing the myth that Gel and AGM's never lose fluid by gassing? If you read the manufacturers information, they all state that AGM batteries lose fluid, but the loss is usually fairly low. It is the battery retailers that make statements the fluid loss is 'Zero'.
Together 'Dry Out' and Corrosion accounted for the premature destruction of 92% of all AGM/Gel batteries.
That is 92% of ALL AGM/Gel batteries never reached their claimed cycle life because of premature failure from corrosion or loss of fluid.
Powerframe technology address's the primary forms of battery failure, like Corrosion, Fluid Loss, etc resulting in these special batteries being unique in lasting right to the end of the very last cycle, along with 70% better efficiency that lasts right to End Of Life.
Because Corrosion and fluid loss normally go hand in hand, if you block the process of corrosion inside the battery, it won't gas off fluid. If you then additionally create a special top that causes the slightest amount of fluid to condense back into the battery, you can see why they claim 100% maintenance free.
The graphic below from the Bosch website shows the 'Special Lid Structure' that prevents fluid loss outside the battery, making it 100% gassing free.
We quote from the Bosch page :
"...Labyrinth construction ensures that evaporated liquid remains in the battery. This makes the battery 100% maintenance free, as well as leak-proof and tilt-proof. The Central ventilation opening (as in linking the cells, not as in 'to the atmosphere' ) means it is suitable for installation inside the passenger compartment".
Full extract here :
The above Bosch web page twice states "100% Maintenance Free" and "evaporated liquid remains in the battery".
Despite all the above some people still compare Powerframe batteries it to a conventional Wet battery when they really are not the same. Even battery retailer sales teams rarely have a clue how special this battery technology is.
This battery is safer to use inside the habitation area of a Motorhome/Caravan than even a Gel battery.
Additionally the Bosch PDF, available further down the page, states :
PowerFrame® technology
▶ PowerFrame®: flow optimized grid design for optimum current flow, reduced corrosion and a long service life
▶ Maximum safety through double backfire protection
▶ No leakage of the acid thanks to the sealed design of the battery lid
▶ Absolutely maintenance free
In the notes of the same document it states :
"Labyrinth lid : returns condensed water to the battery".
Our Summary of the benefits of a Varta/Bosch Powerframe as a Motorhome battery.
Low self discharge : Stays highly charged up for 6 months +. Varta claim a 12 month shelf life.
High efficiency : Up to 70% better current flow over a similar age older battery.
Very Low internal corrosion : This makes it more efficient than the opposition, especially after 2 years +.
Long life and strong performance right to End Of Life.
Maintenance free : Zero fluid loss (so as safe inside the MH as Gel/AGM battery, see evidence below), actually safer, as the LFD is less likely to explode than either Gel or AGM.
Low cost : It's production uses 20% less energy, so it costs less than it's technology would normal merit.,
Faster charge up : Upto twice that of a budget 110Ah battery. See more below on "110Ah Budget batteries".
Lightest load on a charger of any battery technology : Significant from our point of view, they place a lighter load on the battery charging systems, both Mains 230v and the Alternator.
Exceptional high/low temperature operation range : To support the claim of high temperature tolerance, we publish this image below showing a Varta Silver/Bosch Silver Powerframe lasting more than twice as many miles as ordinary batteries in Desert conditions :
This real world independent test In extreme desert temperatures shows a Powerframe lasted 94,000 miles versus 41,000 miles. A ratio greater than 2 to 1. In other words, at an annual mileage of 10k, a Varta Powerframe starter battery used in the hottest, most extreme conditions, lasts 9.5 years versus just 4 years for a conventional battery.
We think, strong evidence that the Varta LFD90/Bosch L5 will not only out last a conventional wet habitation battery by a big margin, but do so when used in heat of Southern Spain.
Motor Movers on Caravans.
Because the LFD90 and L36-EFB are also designed to start an Engine, they cope well with a short duration high current draw so are better suited for powering a Motor Mover on a Caravan more than almost any other battery.
However, even an LFD90/Yuasa AND the Mover Electric Motors, should be rested for 30 seconds for every 5 minutes of use of a powerful Motor Mover setup.
Please do not use an AGM or Gel battery with a heavy Motor mover equipped Caravan. A four wheel drive mover going up a slope or on a tight turn uses huge amounts of power for several minutes which will overheat an AGM/Gel with resultant shorter life.
It is also very important not to charge up a battery that is already warm from exertion/power drain, let it cool for at least 60 minutes first before turning on the charger when you first hook-up if the Battery has been working hard powering a Mover.
Where to buy a Varta LFD 90 Yuasa L36-EFB batteries
This company below sells the Varta LFD90, it isn't a huge business so has limited stock space so you can be sure the battery has not lost half it's life from sitting on the shelf for months. They can deliver to your door and because the Varta LFD 90 is so well sealed it travels better than most wet batteries. If you mention us they may give you a small discount, at Alpha Batteries discretion.
Alpha Batteries : 01706 356356. https://www.alpha-batteries.co.uk/motorhome-batteries/
If you are ordering two batteries they guarantee to give you matched pairs from the same batch.
How can the Varta LFD90/Bosch L5 wet batteries be safer inside the Motorhome than a Gel battery?
Because :
1. The special Powerframe technology reduces bubbling to zero levels.
2. Should Bubbling occur under exceptional circumstances, the fluid condenses back to Water.
3. Gel and AGM batteries operate under pressure, the safety valve can, and does, open to vent gas.
4. See the section near the bottom of the page on Battery Explosions and Thermal Runaway.
AGM batteries used in the Motorhome environment where an AGM optimised charger is rarely available, have a higher premature failure rate and a higher risk of explosion. See top of the "Long Term EHU" webpage for the email from Sarah if you think that is rare.
Note that Gel, like all VRLA batteries, can have a higher 'resting', or 'State Of Charge' voltage which affects the 'guide' discharge voltage. If you look at the chart below from Yuasa Batteries, a VRLA/Gel battery is 50% discharged at 12.5v, whereas a conventional battery is 50% discharged at 12.1v.
We suggest you use the Sealed VRLA column above as a guide to the discharge level for a Varta LFD/Bosch L5 battery as they have a resting voltage nearer to that of Sealed/VRLA and their characteristics are more on par with a VRLA than a 'conventional' battery.
The photo above shows a new Varta LFD90 at close to 13v after being fully charged and left to 'rest' for a week or two.
You will find many different charts around, but most seem to be based on redundant technology Antimony based batteries, which fell out of favour in the eighties.
A battery 'State of Charge' chart that doesn't recognise that different technology batteries have different voltages, is clearly not to be relied on.
If nothing else convinces you, that chart alone shows just how different the Varta LFD/Bosch L ranges are in real use compared to a conventional flooded battery :
When 50% discharged the Varta has almost the same voltage as a fully charged conventional Lead Antimony battery!!
That is useful higher 'voltage' when it comes to Diesel heating, which can draw so much start-up current it can cause significant voltage drop. Likewise some TV's that require a minimum voltage, may run better on a Varta/Bosch Powerframe.
Remember this is a chart of quality batteries, don't expect a conventional Platinum Battery to perform anywhere near as well as a Yuasa Conventional battery.
That is all very well, but a 90Ah battery is too small for me, I like 110Ah batteries?
When we were cutting open batteries in 2012 - 2013, the budget 110Ah batteries all showed poor quality construction and significant signs of failure. We have not yet tested a budget 110Ah battery in the L5 package (same physical size as LFD90/L36-EFB) that had even 95Ah capacity, despite the label stating 110Ah..
In July 2018 one big Battery Wholesaler took the very major, and in our view honourable, step of down grading the label capacity of all their budget batteries by 5 to 10Ah. The 110Ah, although exactly the same as before, now had a label stating a lower 100Ah, which it clearly has been all along.
It has been known for some time that battery capability at the lower end of the market has been exaggerated.
Hopefully now that the governmnet DBEIS team are in the process of targeting such batteries with full testing, the manufacturers and wholesalers will be more honest.
We don't sell any batteries, this is as independent as it gets.
Lead Crystal Batteries?
We would advise caution in regard to buying Lead Crystal batteries as the technology inhibits the heat transfer that develops whenever any battery is used. Therefore it's use may be severely limited by this restriction to an even greater degree than the poor temperature performance of Gel or AGM when used in motorhomes.
It is now universally accepted that AGM won't deliver the capability suggested by laboratory tests, often failing in miserably short times. As these Lead crystal batteries have AGM based cell technology, with even tighter than usual temperature working tolerances, they are likely to be even poorer performing in real world motorhome use.
The marketing blurb states :
"A unique micro-porous high absorbent mat (AGM), pure lead plates, safe SiO2 electrolyte solution that solidifies into
a white crystalline powder when charged/discharged"
They also require special battery chargers/Alternators, see this below from the Blurb, which took me some time to find on the Betta website as it's not covered at all on the usual marketing pages :
"Our patented Lead Crystal® Batteries have different charge characteristics compared to conventional lead based batteries and therefore need suitable chargers to function optimally. The Lead Crystal chargers are embedded with optimized micro-processor controlled charging algorithms that ensure correct charging of all Lead Crystal® Batteries".
Note that failure to use of one of their special chargers will almost certainly invalidate the Warranty, see the second paragraph in the Warranty extract in Red letters below, plus cause the battery to under perform.
How you would integrate one of these chargers with something like a Sargent EC325, EC328, etc. and still have the charging information displayed on the LCD unit above the door would be a complex puzzle for someone. As it would be for most Power Controllers where the charger is integrated into the entire Power control/Distribution unit.
Note that despite a claimed 8 - 10 year life, the warranty is just 3 years, less than some poor quality budget batteries. In any case the warranty is pretty much useless as the battery has to have failed to the point were it is absolutely devastated beyond scrap before you can even think of making a claim, see this extract from the warranty manual :
"Betta Batteries will replace a battery if, when used within its parameters, the available capacity falls to a level lower than 40% in 10 hours under no load within 18 months, or if the capacity falls lower than 30% in 10h under no load within 19 to 36 months.
The guarantee will be null and void in the event the battery is installed incorrectly, misused, used or (dis)charged outside specifications, damaged by external influences".
In other words the battery has got to be so bad that the warranty will only be valid if the battery leaks 40% of it's capacity in just 10 hours when standing unconnected to any wires!! A self discharge of 40% of capacity in 10 hours is a battery that actually became unusable months before.
The warranty stipulates the battery must be used 'within it's parameters', but I can't find anywhere where those parameters are printed.
To me that is a warranty from a company that expects lots of premature failures so has designed a warranty where no one can make a claim. Add in the ridiculously short warranty period for a supposedly long life product, plus the stipulation of a specialist charger to keep the warranty active and that suggests to me this is a battery to avoid at all costs.
Not a confidence boosting start when considering a very expensive £450 for a 100Ah battery?
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bosch brochure 2014.pdf Size : 3717.21 Kb Type : pdf |
The resistance varies with the state of charge, not just internal degradation, which can skew the results. While they sometimes use the voltage to ascertain a batteries state of charge, some are unable to cater for the different voltage ranges of the different battery technologies.
Further to that, one issue may reduce the resistance, like Antimony poisoning, while Internal Corrosion may increase it balancing each other out and showing a 'healthy' battery when it isn't.
Batteries degrade for a number of reasons and it is possible to fully charge a battery that then delivers enough power to start a Fiat 3.0, but will slowly lose charge over days.
So while the Starter battery might get a 'Pass' of 550 out of 650 'cranking amps' when tested straight after a recharge, it may be down to half that after just a week.
Such a battery is no use to many motorhomes that stand idle for long periods, but be perfectly adequate for a Car/Van that is used every day.
Conversely a battery could be down to 70% of it's rated capacity yet hold it's charge for months.
The third type of battery tester that adds a 'small 'load' just prior to the resistance check, can be more accurate, but not infallible when used on Motorhome/Caravan batteries..
All the test units check primarily for the 'instant' power a car/Van/truck Starter battery can deliver, as this is the most important factor for the vast majority of vehicles that are used every day.
