Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: takinatrip on October 31, 2012, 05:23:37 pm

Title: Leisure or normal battery?
Post by: takinatrip on October 31, 2012, 05:23:37 pm
I currently run my system off the van battery supplying one analogue controller one 100psi pump and 2 x 100 meter reels (controller set on 5) Works fine plenty of power no issues with the van starting etc. If I was to add a second battery with a split charge would a leisure or normal battery be best?
Title: Re: Leisure or normal battery?
Post by: matty72 on October 31, 2012, 05:45:01 pm
leisure 100%, other type get wasted, leisure is perfect for the job, its what its for trickle charge
Title: Re: Leisure or normal battery?
Post by: takinatrip on October 31, 2012, 09:03:52 pm
thanks would 85amp be enough?
Title: Re: Leisure or normal battery?
Post by: Ian Sheppard on November 01, 2012, 03:25:56 pm
Would agree with Matty

would advise on a leisure battery. The characteristics of a leisure battery are different to a Vehicle battery as they discharge at different rates.

As for how big. A pump will draw some where between 3 - 6 amps an hour, how much the battery is recharged will vary greatly depending on how far you travel between jobs.
The alternator will only trickle charge the battery and you will still need to charge every so often.
Title: Re: Leisure or normal battery?
Post by: EandM on November 01, 2012, 03:39:48 pm
Definitely a leisure battery as they are designed to be continuously discharged whereas a normal lead acid car battery is designed to produce a short burst of starting power and then immediately be topped up by the alternator. One cycle, from fully charged to completely discharged, can be repeated on a leisure battery 500-1000 times depending on composition - by comparison a car battery can cycle about 20 times before the lead plates start to disintegrate.
Title: Re: Leisure or normal battery?
Post by: SunShineCleaning on November 01, 2012, 04:11:51 pm
Just to throw a spanner into the works, I have only ever used old car batteries. In fact I have in 7 years yet to buy a battery at all.
I also have a 250w solar panel and during most summers the battery never needs charging.
Title: Re: Leisure or normal battery?
Post by: takinatrip on November 01, 2012, 05:06:47 pm
I was getting a definitive answer and then sunshine comes along with a spanner.

Do you still use a split charge on your old car batteries?
Title: Re: Leisure or normal battery?
Post by: roundbuilder on November 01, 2012, 05:12:46 pm
I run everything from the van batteries. In 5 years i have never had an issue or problem. Dont have to ponce about charging a leisure battery 3 times a week.
Title: Re: Leisure or normal battery?
Post by: James Leet on November 03, 2012, 04:18:42 pm
Just to throw a spanner into the works, I have only ever used old car batteries. In fact I have in 7 years yet to buy a battery at all.
I also have a 250w solar panel and during most summers the battery never needs charging.

Matt on the cleaning forums only uses old car batteries, he has for years

I would link to the post but this place seems to edit posts about him

Just google cleaning forums matt

Title: Re: Leisure or normal battery?
Post by: Lee GLS on November 03, 2012, 04:54:08 pm
I had a leisure battery and it lasted a year, I now go to the local motor factors and get a few old free battery's, I've got one on the van now that has been on there 18 months. No more leisure battery's for me
Title: Re: Leisure or normal battery?
Post by: James Leet on November 04, 2012, 11:46:52 am
Good stuff Lee
Title: Re: Leisure or normal battery?
Post by: DG Cleaning on November 04, 2012, 01:09:44 pm
I found an old battery in the cellar done a great job so far
Title: Re: Leisure or normal battery?
Post by: LWC on November 09, 2012, 03:53:34 pm
Been off van battery now for about 5 years to, no probs
Title: Re: Leisure or normal battery?
Post by: evo on November 09, 2012, 04:07:21 pm
Been off van battery now for about 5 years to, no probs


lwc do you run 2 pumps of your van battery or just the one cheers james
Title: Re: Leisure or normal battery?
Post by: Klean07 on November 09, 2012, 04:34:52 pm
I started off with a lesuire battery but it only lasted 2 years so now I've got two car batterys. I bought them new about £50 each. Oldest one is 4 years old and lasts 3 days off a full charge.
Newest one only two weeks old!!
Title: Re: Leisure or normal battery?
Post by: SunShineCleaning on November 09, 2012, 05:04:57 pm
I have now bought my first leisure battery so I will see how long it lasts.

I also have a 25w solar panel on the roof to top up.
Title: Re: Leisure or normal battery?
Post by: LWC on November 09, 2012, 08:19:08 pm
Been off van battery now for about 5 years to, no probs


lwc do you run 2 pumps of your van battery or just the one cheers james

1 pump but i used to run 2 pumps off van battery in last van
Title: Re: Leisure or normal battery?
Post by: gregmyster on November 12, 2012, 02:57:10 pm
i havent done this but when i was asking about this in the local car parts deparment near where i live because of the price difference the guy suggested buying a normal battery as they have a long gaurantee but i cant remember how long it is, and then if it knackers up just take it back for an exchange as they dont know or even ask what it has been used for they just send em back to the manufacturer.