Power to take with you. Choosing the right battery for camping/caravans/motorhomes is not always easy.
But the following factors are crucial: capacity requirement, cycle life and optimal mounting space.
The Energy Bull is a special wet-cell battery for slow discharge in the hobby and leisure segment. The Energy Bull is designed to be robust and the ideal energy storage solution for camping/caravanning, use as a motor mover battery (manoeuvring system for caravans), for boat trips and for many other applications right down to indicator systems and traction batteries for electric motors.
Charging
Make sure that the supply cable is dimensioned appropriately (to minimise voltage losses). The charging voltage for Energy Bull batteries should be 14.2 – 14.4 V. We recommend a charging current of at least one-tenth of the battery capacity (e.g. 100 Ah / 10 = 10 A charging current). All in all, the Energy Bull is a good cyclic-use battery that is very forgiving (as compared to gel or AGMbatteries). The main difference between Energy Bull batteries and AGM or gel batteries is in their maintenance. The electrolyte level must be inspected regularly while using the Energy Bull battery. During periods of intensive use (such as camping), this inspection should be carried out monthly; otherwise, quarterly or biannual maintenance is sufficient. Gel or AGM batteries are maintenance-free. The price and resistance to higher temperatures and higher charging voltages speak in favour of the Energy Bull. Make sure that the charger is compatible with the battery technology and has a suitable characteristic curve.
Caution: A highly explosive oxygen-hydrogen mix can form during charging. Fire, naked flames and smoking are prohibited.
Solar
Make sure that the solar cell has an appropriate and “good” regulator. Ideally, this should feature PWM (pulse-width modulation), temperature compensation and freely selectable parameters (charging voltage, etc.).
Discharging
Inverters require a certain amount of discharge current from the batteries. Energy Bull and gel batteries are generally not suitable for high-current discharges (>40-fold nominal voltage*, for >1 min.). If you require higher discharge currents, we recommend using an AGM battery (Traction Bull Bloc AGM or Running Bull AGM).
Series or parallel circuit
Please note:
- Both batteries must have the same type designation.
- Both batteries must be around the same age.
- Both batteries must have the same state of charge.
- The connecting cables must be sufficiently dimensioned
- and be kept as short as possible.
- Always change both batteries.
If the above-mentioned recommendations are not observed, a series circuit will result in a corresponding division of the voltage due to the different internal resistances of the individual batteries and thus in an asymmetrical (= unbalanced) load during the charging and discharging phase. A charging equaliser is used to maintain an equal level of charge for two batteries connected in series. With batteries connected in parallel, high compensation currents sometimes flow between the batteries. If possible, we recommend that you use just one higher-capacity battery.
For a series circuit, add together the voltages of the individual batteries. Two 12 V batteries must be connected in series to create a 24 V electrical system.
For a parallel circuit, add together the individual capacities and cold start currents of the individual batteries.
Degassing
Banner recommends: For safety reasons, always use a degassing tube when installing the battery in the interior/passenger compartment, as this will discharge any gases caused by overloading or high ambient temperatures to the outside. When selecting a battery, choose a type that has a central degassing connection. This can be seen from the GA (gas discharge) note in the technical details = battery with central degassing.
