[H h20]

Can anyone tell me what is the best battery to buy to power a 12v shurflo 100 psi 6a pump,do i need a gel or a acid and what amp hrs,Gaz

[Sarah Sarill]

Hi Gaz,

I have just spend a few days sourcing stuff for a self build trolley and the cheapest place I have found is a company called Bristol Batteries.  Speak to Mark Gaisford.  Based on using a Sureflow 8000 series 100psi pump he suggested I use a SEALED LEISURE battery made by Yuasa at a cost of £56.06 + Vat.  Delivery was free to us a they are in SE Wales every Thursday.

Its a 12V 38 AMP SLA Battery. (Sealed Lead Acid)  and is used throughout the golfing/caravaning indstries.

I had many other quotes for different types but they were the cheapest and Yuasa are a good brand. (made in Wales so have to be a little patriotic)

There are a few on ebay too Gaz but cant comment on the brands.

Regards,

Sarah

[Moderator David@stives]

if the battery is to be tipped and handled in and out of a car i would reccommend a gel type

Dave

[matt]

as sarah said a sealed lead acid will do fine

the 1 she has ordered is a fair size 1, i use a 12 Volt 12 A battery, it lasts all day and is very small and light weight

[Moderator David@stives]

Also a gel type will do fine too

[Sarah Sarill]

Lots of batteries will do - the gel ones are great if you can afford the extra cost but as the acid battery is sealed it is guaranteed not to leak, does not need topping up and is safe for frequent movement.

Gaz,  Another consideration is the number of hours continuous use you get from the battery.  The battery suggested to me was based on the fact the hubby needed an average of 7-8 hours charge with about a 5 hour working period during the time.  If you dont need that spec them a lower  Amp  will be suitable.  He also mentioned something to do with quicker burn out times on constantly used low voltage batteries.

As I said it would be worth talking to Mark because as a specialist he can match your personal requirements to a battery.

Minefield eh !!!!

Sarah

[H h20]

Thanks for the replys,so it`s time for battery shopping now,Gaz.

[John Walker]

Look on the OmniPole site - they specialise in batteries for WFP at good prices.  A battery for every occasion 

John

[AuRavelling79]

I too used Bristol Batteries (glad to see they're not afraid of crossing the Severn bridge, Sarah ) and bought a caravan type battery for £30.00.

(They'd quoted me for a 75 amp/hour but were out of stock when I got there and let me have an 85a/h for the same money. Top banana!)

It's a bit heavy for a girly (15kg), but it sits in the bottom of my trolley (the one on Peter Fogwill's aquatec site) in a metal and wood holder I made so it's centre of gravity is low which is good.

Basically bog standard caravan batteries are the cheapest cuz of the amount made, whereas m/cycle or wheelchair type batteries are more expensive but are typically 35/40 a/h. So they don't last as long but are much lighter. (Which doesn't bother a big boy like me! - Oooh! Me back! )

BTW - divide the amps (of your pump) into the amperage rating of the battery and that's the amount of time you get from it. E.g. 40 a/h battery divided by 6 a/h (pump) = 6 hrs 40 minutes running time - may be 5 hours by the time you allow for switching on and off if that takes more juice.

But as the battery gets tired after a couple of years this will probably gradually deteriorate. Bear in mind that the pump probably runs only a percentage of your work day. (You need to take away the time you spend where the pump isn't actually on.)

[matt]

I Bear in mind that the pump probably runs only a percentage of your work day. (You need to take away the time you spend where the pump isn't actually on.)

good point

the pump isnt really on that much of the day, well its not if you only do tops, you have the time to do the ground floor, and walking between houses etc etc

i prefere a smaller lighter battery, sure you need to charge is every night, BUT its light and cheaper to replace

[thewindowcleaner1]

I,ve got a 110 amp hr and a 80 amp hr liesure battery brought both from Halfords easy to get, two year guarentee(spelling) prices good.
both are charged up at the week end (two vans) and last all week

[John Walker]

And just to confuse the equation further - if you are using a VariStream or EcoFlow controller, the pump will be running at a much reduced power consumption.

At a guess, I reckon it could double the work time from any given battery ??

I will check over the weekend to see just how much current is actually being drawn by my 100psi 6amp pump when running at my usual Varistream setting.

Ok Sparky - tell me I'm wrong   

[windows_chepstow]

glad to see they're not afraid of crossing the Severn bridge

A bit off-topic; but Wor Lass holds the Chepstow Harriers female record for the Severn Bridge run (it's a five mile race, begining from beyond the bridge and back).

This evening on a personal training run, she trimmed 1 minute 42 seconds from her record.  She's full of beans because of that.

I just wish she was this efficient when we're window cleaning.

Luckily enough, we've got the Abbey Hotel on Monday; leaded windows galore and she's doing the insides.

That'll extract the 'wind from her sails'.

[Moderator David@stives]

The battery in my back pack has been brilliant i have only had to charge it once in 6 weeks

[H h20]

Well i`m back from shopping and got my battery and charger,the battery is a 28 amp hr golf trolley battery,got them both for £70,so it`s tools out and my trolley should be up and running ready for next week,Gaz 

[Sarah Sarill]

Hiya Gaz,

Thats a good price for both.

Where do get them from in the end and did you have any guidance re the 28 Amp issue raised here ?

Sarah

[H h20]

Hi Sarah,i got them both from my local golf shop,i had to put on my charm to haggle the best price as they wanted £39.99 each,as for the amp hr issue i now know obviously the more amp hr the longer the use before charge,so i think the 28 amp hr will do me fine,Gaz

[Sarah Sarill]

Hi again Gaz,

Before I order the one I was recommended by Bristol Batteries @ £56 + Vat - I am keen to explore the possibility that a 28 amp would do the job on a trolley.

What sort of usage time did they say you would get and how often for re-charging.

Yours,

(Hoping to save a further £20) 

Sarah

[matt]

sarah as its for you, and i am not being a "male pig etc" but with the thought of size and weight, have you thought of a smaller battery again

my 12ah battery will last me all day, i currently have 2 of them, the only reason is, i am testing a theory that if you only half discharge them, they will last longer

though i got 9 months usage out of my last un, and they only cost 25 quid - ish

they really are small and lightweight

[Sarah Sarill]

Hi Matt,

You have been trying to get this point over a couple of times and I dismissed it without a thought.  Naughty girl   

What make and outlet are they from Matt ?  Are they sealed ?

Thanks - your a diamond 

Sarah