EFB "Stop Start" or EFB "Leisure" batteries?

[SlowlyButSurely]

We will need a new pair of 100Ah (or thereabouts) batteries for our domestic bank soon and after reading some info on a motorhome forum I am inclined to go for EFB but can anyone explain what is the difference between batteries marketed as "EFB Stop Start" and those marketed as "EFB Leisure"?

 

[Boathook]

I assume that the stop start type is for engine use where they wont get discharged to much before the engine restarts automatically and then fully charged the batteries. Leisure are quite happy at being partially discharged and then charged up sometime in the future?

 

[pvb]

We will need a new pair of 100Ah (or thereabouts) batteries for our domestic bank soon and after reading some info on a motorhome forum I am inclined to go for EFB but can anyone explain what is the difference between batteries marketed as "EFB Stop Start" and those marketed as "EFB Leisure"?

Very little difference, if any. EFB batteries are better than ordinary wet flooded batteries, but not as good as AGMs. In car use, EFB batteries are used on cheaper vehicles with stop-start functionality, whereas AGM batteries are used on higher-priced stop-start vehicles.

My boat came with factory-fitted Exide AGM Stop-Start batteries, and after 5 years they're still working well.

 

[PaulRainbow]

We will need a new pair of 100Ah (or thereabouts) batteries for our domestic bank soon and after reading some info on a motorhome forum I am inclined to go for EFB but can anyone explain what is the difference between batteries marketed as "EFB Stop Start" and those marketed as "EFB Leisure"?

Exactly which batteries are you considering ? AGM prices have dropped a lot.

019 Hankook SA59520 AGM Start Stop Car Battery 12V 95AH

 

[pvb]

Exactly which batteries are you considering ? AGM prices have dropped a lot.

019 Hankook SA59520 AGM Start Stop Car Battery 12V 95AH

AGM prices have dropped. The 95Ah Exide AGMs fitted to my boat are even cheaper than the Hankook!

EK950 Exide Start-Stop AGM Car Battery 95Ah 017

 

[BabaYaga]

AGM prices have dropped. The 95Ah Exide AGMs fitted to my boat are even cheaper than the Hankook!

EK950 Exide Start-Stop AGM Car Battery 95Ah 017

Out of interest (as I'm also researching this subject), is there a benefit of 'start-stop' AGM compared to this 'marine-labeled' AGM type from the same manufacturer at about the same price (for domestic bank use)?
Exide EP800 DUAL AGM Leisure Marine Battery

 

[pvb]

Out of interest (as I'm also researching this subject), is there a benefit of 'start-stop' AGM compared to this 'marine-labeled' AGM type from the same manufacturer at about the same price (for domestic bank use)?
Exide EP800 DUAL AGM Leisure Marine Battery

I imagine that, apart from the label, the batteries are pretty well identical, so the start-stop AGM is better value.

 

[SlowlyButSurely]

Exactly which batteries are you considering ? AGM prices have dropped a lot.

019 Hankook SA59520 AGM Start Stop Car Battery 12V 95AH

Bosch S4E13 or Yuasa YBX7019 or similar starter batteries compared with Yuasa L36-EFB or similar leisure batteries.

I'm not considering AGM at the moment because that would require me to fit an alternator controller and a new battery charger.

 

[pvb]

I'm not considering AGM at the moment because that would require me to fit an alternator controller and a new battery charger.

Why? You can charge AGMs at the same sort of voltage as EFBs.

 

[SlowlyButSurely]

Why? You can charge AGMs at the same sort of voltage as EFBs.

Our alternator charges at 14.4v and the battery charger at 13.7v. According to the specs I've seen for AGM batteries they need to be charged at 14.8v and float at 13.3v.

 

[pvb]

Our alternator charges at 14.4v and the battery charger at 13.7v. According to the specs I've seen for AGM batteries they need to be charged at 14.8v and float at 13.3v.

Your alternator and charger would be fine with AGM batteries, although the charger voltage is rather low so charging might be slow.

 

[SlowlyButSurely]

in

Your alternator and charger would be fine with AGM batteries, although the charger voltage is rather low so charging might be slow.

In that case the AGMs mentioned above would be doable. Thanks.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Our alternator charges at 14.4v and the battery charger at 13.7v. According to the specs I've seen for AGM batteries they need to be charged at 14.8v and float at 13.3v.

Your alternator will be fine for AGM. The charge is, as PVB said, a bit on the low side, but it's equally on the low side for "normal" flooded batteries, it's barely above float voltage. Unless you can change the settings on the charger, you'd do well to replace it, whatever batteries you go for.
What make/model is the charger ?

 

[SlowlyButSurely]

Your alternator will be fine for AGM. The charge is, as PVB said, a bit on the low side, but it's equally on the low side for "normal" flooded batteries, it's barely above float voltage. Unless you can change the settings on the charger, you'd do well to replace it, whatever batteries you go for.
What make/model is the charger ?

Hi Paul,
Thanks for the confirmation. The charger is the original Lucas Marinapower 10A charger I fitted 34 years ago so it doesn't have any other settings. I have a Victron IP22 on my wish list so it might be a good idea to fit a pair of AGMs and the IP22 at the same time.

 

[pvb]

I have a Victron IP22 on my wish list so it might be a good idea to fit a pair of AGMs and the IP22 at the same time.

The BlueSmart IP22 is a great charger, I fitted one last summer. The Bluetooth app works well too, giving charging current and voltage on your smartphone.

 

[PaulRainbow]

Hi Paul,
Thanks for the confirmation. The charger is the original Lucas Marinapower 10A charger I fitted 34 years ago so it doesn't have any other settings. I have a Victron IP22 on my wish list so it might be a good idea to fit a pair of AGMs and the IP22 at the same time.

The Victron IP22 is (as PVB confirms) a great charger. I've fitted several of these and everyone has been delighted with them. I'd suggest something bigger than 10a.