Just wondering about getting 2 Lead Crystal Batteries from here: https://www.everybattery.com.au/products.php?cat=Pb+Crystal
I see they are coming down in price, and am just asking if anyone has had any experience with them and their performance?
I have done a search, and can only find older info about them.
My van is 2 years old, and I didn't think the performance of my original 100ah batteries was that good. I pulled them out, and found they were cheap Lion lead acid car batteries!
Just tossing up whether to get a couple of 120ah Thumper Redback Extremes from my local Home of 12 Volt at $650 for 2, or a couple of said Lead Crystals at $778 delivered?
Any opinions or experience of use will be much appreciated!
A brief look at the data sheets suggests their only claimed advantage over an AGM is an increased life of about 3:1 against "Depth of Discharge". If true this is well worth having providing the price is commensurate with the life gain and your usage is deep cycle.
It looks as if their ability to source high current is less than an AGM but this will not be an issue for 95% of users.
However if you don't discharge your batteries much beyond 25% it may be the lead crystal will die from sulfation in a similar time frame to an AGM.
$325 for a 120Ah AGM seems high but I may be out of touch with prices? $390 each for LC is not too much more but I'm not really sure you'll ever discover if they are better. Formal testing is needed.
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I can only answer using the knowlege of my own experience
Snip from the original post Any opinions or experience of use will be much appreciated!
I have experience of failed house batteries, but without knowing if they were previously used or abused
I would assume that if the original batteries are deep cycle and not cranking batteries, they should have lasted more than two years, and as others have said, have a look at the charging system
My Fullriver deep cycle GEL battery, (which by all accounts are supposed to be very good), ended up not being good enough to run the telly, for the boss
Upon investigating, using a good known, AGM spiral bound deep cycle/cranking battery, I came to the conclusion that the Setec 11 charger, as supplied to Jayco motorhomes, was not good enough
If your charging system is not up to scratch, you may be throwing good money away, because your new batteries (regardless of the type or manufacturer). will also deplete very quickly
I would assume that if the original batteries are deep cycle and not cranking batteries, they should have lasted more than two years, and as others have said, have a look at the charging system
Hi Tony Bev,
i think the problem is that they WERE mainly cranking batteries. They are not AGM, just low maintenance semi sealed lead acid batteries. I have 500 watts of solar that normally charges them while away, and a BMPRO mains charger while plugged in. The batteries seem ok, they float at 13.2v, but they dont last overly long.
$325 for a 120Ah AGM seems high but I may be out of touch with prices? $390 each for LC is not too much more but I'm not really sure you'll ever discover if they are better. Formal testing is needed.
I am surprised that there hasnt been any long term testing on them, as apparently they have been around for 30 years or so!
I can only answer using the knowlege of my own experience
Snip from the original post Any opinions or experience of use will be much appreciated!
I have experience of failed house batteries, but without knowing if they were previously used or abused
I would assume that if the original batteries are deep cycle and not cranking batteries, they should have lasted more than two years, and as others have said, have a look at the charging system
My Fullriver deep cycle GEL battery, (which by all accounts are supposed to be very good), ended up not being good enough to run the telly, for the boss
Upon investigating, using a good known, AGM spiral bound deep cycle/cranking battery, I came to the conclusion that the Setec 11 charger, as supplied to Jayco motorhomes, was not good enough
If your charging system is not up to scratch, you may be throwing good money away, because your new batteries (regardless of the type or manufacturer). will also deplete very quickly
I came to that conclusion also Tony. I removed the Setec, installed a fuse block, and fitted a dedicated 40 amp 240v several stage charger.
I ended up getting the AGM's. Shame they weigh about 33kgs each!! The Lion brand I removed weighed 22.6kg each... Brian
There is no shame in that. The shame is in the previous 22.6 kg, that shows there is not enough lead in the battery to do the job. You can not have battery capacity in lead acid batteries that have no weight in them.
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
I can only answer using the knowlege of my own experience
Snip from the original post Any opinions or experience of use will be much appreciated!
I have experience of failed house batteries, but without knowing if they were previously used or abused
I would assume that if the original batteries are deep cycle and not cranking batteries, they should have lasted more than two years, and as others have said, have a look at the charging system
My Fullriver deep cycle GEL battery, (which by all accounts are supposed to be very good), ended up not being good enough to run the telly, for the boss
Upon investigating, using a good known, AGM spiral bound deep cycle/cranking battery, I came to the conclusion that the Setec 11 charger, as supplied to Jayco motorhomes, was not good enough
If your charging system is not up to scratch, you may be throwing good money away, because your new batteries (regardless of the type or manufacturer). will also deplete very quickly
I came to that conclusion also Tony. I removed the Setec, installed a fuse block, and fitted a dedicated 40 amp 240v several stage charger.
Aussie Paul.
We are not talking about the Setec ST, ST II or ST III here. The one he has is the BMPRO. It may be made by Setec but it is a different kettle of fish. Its charging algorithm is very similar to the better multi stage battery chargers and not the original Setec models or the Centurion.
-- Edited by PeterD on Sunday 1st of April 2018 04:15:30 PM
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PeterD Nissan Navara D23 diesel auto, Spaceland pop-top Retired radio and electronics technician. NSW Central Coast.
Realistically the future is to move to Lithium batteries due to their characteristics however, they are very expensive, and require a special charger but are much lighter.
Personally I believe that the lead crystal batteries are the way to go. While they are certainly more expensive than AGMs etc., their life expectancy is superior. Their operating characteristics are superior to all forms of lead acid batteries (AGM, GEL etc.) and are lighter, require a standard charger and charge quicker. When it comes time to replace my current GEL batteries they are the way I will be going.
Realistically the future is to move to Lithium batteries due to their characteristics however, they are very expensive, and require a special charger but are much lighter.
Personally I believe that the lead crystal batteries are the way to go. While they are certainly more expensive than AGMs etc., their life expectancy is superior. Their operating characteristics are superior to all forms of lead acid batteries (AGM, GEL etc.) and are lighter, require a standard charger and charge quicker. When it comes time to replace my current GEL batteries they are the way I will be going.
Hi Sarco Harris
I will believe the story about lead crystal batteries when I see an independent authority or owner, who is qualified, test them and verify the claims. If they were better and having been around for 30 years, I believe they would have some buyer support. I have no knowledge of anyone who has found them better. I have none to say they are worse either, but I do know people who have used AGMs, for example and will speak for their advantages, and lithium too.
Please monitor yours when you get them and let us know.
Just returned from Stone The Crows at Wagga and there were many battery problems there I can tell you. The day we were leaving a gentleman approached me regarding his Lead Crystal batteries. That got my attention so I headed over to check them out. 11 mths old, climb to between 13.6v and 14v while on solar but dropped to 11.6v soon after sun down resulting in the system shutting down. He ended up running his 11mth old caravan from his ute batteries and running his engine to recharge them during the day.
The claim lead crystal batteries can be deeply discharged yet recover completely seems to a furphy if this set up is any sort of an example.
T1 Terry
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