Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: dazmond on April 09, 2013, 05:12:22 pm

Title: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: dazmond on April 09, 2013, 05:12:22 pm
i bought a new pumpbox around 5 months ago now with 12v lead acid leisure battery.

i charge it every night for around 3 hours until the intelligent charger shows a green light(meaning battery fully charged and maintaining)then i pop it back in pumpbox ready for the next days work.

anyway both today and yesterday the controller is flashing BAT 10.8 after around 5 hours working time and pump keeps kicking in periodically! >:( >:(

i had the whole of last week off but when i checked battery on sun night it was still showing a full charge!

im gonna leave battery on charge all night tonight even when the green light comes on and see how i go on tomorrow.

my last leisure battery lasted 2 and a half years before it finally needed replacing!


any ideas guys?? ??? ??? ???


frustrating as i wanted to get a bit more work done today and i have a busy few days ahead of me!!


thanks in advance



dazmond
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: DG Cleaning on April 09, 2013, 05:14:23 pm
Scrapyard make sure you get one off a nice big diesel. ;D
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: MATT BATEMAN (OWC) on April 09, 2013, 05:15:09 pm
What are your charging connections like on the battery terminals?

Clean them and reconnect with vaseline coating them. If not that hows the charger?
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: ♠Winp®oClean♠ on April 09, 2013, 05:17:02 pm
i bought a new pumpbox around 5 months ago now with 12v lead acid leisure battery.

i charge it every night for around 3 hours until the intelligent charger shows a green light(meaning battery fully charged and maintaining)then i pop it back in pumpbox ready for the next days work.

anyway both today and yesterday the controller is flashing BAT 10.8 after around 5 hours working time and pump keeps kicking in periodically! >:( >:(

i had the whole of last week off but when i checked battery on sun night it was still showing a full charge!

im gonna leave battery on charge all night tonight even when the green light comes on and see how i go on tomorrow.

my last leisure battery lasted 2 and a half years before it finally needed replacing!


any ideas guys?? ??? ??? ???


frustrating as i wanted to get a bit more work done today and i have a busy few days ahead of me!!


thanks in advance



dazmond

You need a new battery. I wouldn't waste any more time, once it's gone it's gone in my experience regardless of whether it shows a full charge or not. ;) Buy the very best & highest Ah you can get.
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: Dave Willis on April 09, 2013, 05:21:54 pm
mine only used to last around nine months - it's probably the nightly charge that wrecks them. They only take so many cycles. Might even last longer if they were charged every other night. Got fed up replacing them in the end and have run off the van battery for the last year with no problems.
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: dazmond on April 09, 2013, 05:25:31 pm
matt the charger is a halfords one 5 months old.its not a cheap one either!specifically for all types of batteries including leisure batteries.

the crocodile clip on one of the negative connection from the controller is a bit corroded.these clips look rubbish!cheap and nasty!!there is also a bit of corrosion on one of the battery terminals.ill clean em and grease them and see how i go on.

cheers.

winpro do leisure batteries give up the ghost after just 5 months  sometimes?very disappointed if they do!! >:( >:(
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: dazmond on April 09, 2013, 05:26:44 pm
would a standard car battery do?thought you were only supposed to use leisure batteries?? ??? ??? ???
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: robertphil on April 09, 2013, 05:30:37 pm
most car batteries have a 2 ,3 or 4 yr warranty. dunno about leisure battery though
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: Tom White on April 09, 2013, 05:36:19 pm
With these more complex flow controllers you need to have a battery in top nick.

We don't use a flow controller and one of the batteries we use is coming upto two years old and I charge it every two days, though when I used a flow controller it played up, so we bought another battery and used that.

When that flow controller knacked I never replaced it and the old battery works fine.
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: DG Cleaning on April 09, 2013, 05:37:51 pm
A battery is a battery leisure might be better as long as the pump spins it doesn't matter what you use.
I found an old battery in my shed I've been using since August with no problems.
 A lot of people wire straight through to the van battery.  ;D
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: DG Cleaning on April 09, 2013, 05:41:10 pm
With these more complex flow controllers you need to have a battery in top nick.

We don't use a flow controller and one of the batteries we use is coming upto two years old and I charge it every two days, though when I used a flow controller it played up, so we bought another battery and used that.

When that flow controller knacked I never replaced it and the old battery works fine.

Good point Tosh I didn't consider the fact that I don't use a controller = less problems.
I still managed 29 houses the other day on less than 400L ;D
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: MATT BATEMAN (OWC) on April 09, 2013, 05:47:42 pm
matt the charger is a halfords one 5 months old.its not a cheap one either!specifically for all types of batteries including leisure batteries.

the crocodile clip on one of the negative connection from the controller is a bit corroded.these clips look rubbish!cheap and nasty!!there is also a bit of corrosion on one of the battery terminals.ill clean em and grease them and see how i go on.

cheers.

winpro do leisure batteries give up the ghost after just 5 months  sometimes?very disappointed if they do!! >:( >:(

My connections from the charger are made by removing the crappy crocodile clips and splicing the chargers wires, so about 2 inches is exposed. Then I ensure its connected securely to the terminals by screwing a jubilee clip over the battery terminals with the charger wires clamped in between the jubilee clip and terminal.
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: Dave Willis on April 09, 2013, 05:49:17 pm
The problem is the battery takes the charge but doesn't hold it as long as it used to. I've taken every battery I've had back under warranty and they put it on charge and say there's no problem with it.
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: richard jagger on April 09, 2013, 06:18:07 pm
Take a look at you tube on Restoring batteries.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UY_Wrxl0Rc

Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: TomCrowther on April 09, 2013, 06:18:46 pm
Trojan batteries are a good buy. Guaranteed for ten thousand charges.
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: Mike #1 on April 09, 2013, 06:30:09 pm
Dazmond you are better off not charging every night i only charge my leisure when the it gets down to 11.7 had my first battery from August 2011 till Feb 2013 got from cleaning spot with my Streambox .

The crocodile clips are not great as they can disconnect easily i put some insulating tape around mine not long after i got Streambox and have had no problems since

Now got a Halfords 65ah Leisure battery with 2yr warranty . Mike
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: brianbarber on April 09, 2013, 07:28:39 pm
I had a problem like this,
After it ran flat two days on trot, I ordered another battery....

But discovered the black wire on the charger to the battery, wih croc clip on, was in fact breaking down, so I spent out for nothing....

Also, leisure batteries all have a shelf life, the guy at pure freedom was telling me.
So if you've been unlucky and it Watson a shelf for two years before being sold to you, maybe that is what's possibly happened.

Mr B
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: Diamond standard ltd on April 09, 2013, 07:43:25 pm
Do you know any one with a battery drop tester??? Or take it to a garage to if out if its gone.
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: dazmond on April 09, 2013, 08:01:14 pm
cheers guys gonna take it to a local garage first thing.if battery knackered they sell leisure batteries as well.

its on my way to work!very handy! ;D ;D
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: richywilts on April 09, 2013, 08:06:58 pm
get a solar panel on top of ya van
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: ♠Winp®oClean♠ on April 09, 2013, 08:07:58 pm
matt the charger is a halfords one 5 months old.its not a cheap one either!specifically for all types of batteries including leisure batteries.

the crocodile clip on one of the negative connection from the controller is a bit corroded.these clips look rubbish!cheap and nasty!!there is also a bit of corrosion on one of the battery terminals.ill clean em and grease them and see how i go on.

cheers.

winpro do leisure batteries give up the ghost after just 5 months  sometimes?very disappointed if they do!! >:( >:(

I run off the van Battery Daz, have done for 9 years. I only use top of the range Bosch batteries now, 63Ah, last me about 2 years & are £65 online. ;) No charging, no hassle, no nowt! :)
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: Dave Willis on April 09, 2013, 08:34:02 pm
My van batteries are six years old now - I thought I'd have loads of trouble. Been fine for fourteen months now. (touch wood).  :D
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: home6442 on April 09, 2013, 08:36:05 pm
There is no such thing as a leisure battery check out
the motorhome channel.
They have a very good video on batteries.
www.motorhomechannel.co.uk
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: ♠Winp®oClean♠ on April 09, 2013, 09:00:15 pm
My van batteries are six years old now - I thought I'd have loads of trouble. Been fine for fourteen months now. (touch wood).  :D

Bit dangerous for you a statement like that Dave!!!!!! ;D ;D
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: Dave Willis on April 09, 2013, 09:02:57 pm
 ;D ;D ;D ;D :o
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: nathanharrison on April 09, 2013, 09:43:07 pm
Why not use a split charge relay in the van, Ive got one and never have to take battery out to charge!
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: WGB on April 09, 2013, 10:39:50 pm
would a standard car battery do?thought you were only supposed to use leisure batteries?? ??? ??? ???
daz i use a car battery, first one lasted a couple of years, bought my current one no more than a couple of months ago and its doing the same as ur battery, charges up quick and runs out quick meaning its f**ked. Read last week some power there pump from van battery, would this work?
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: DaveG on April 10, 2013, 06:57:17 am
You guys that run off of your van battery, do you mean you have a split charger, or do you connect pump directly to it?

Cheers

ps I think these new controllers over complicate things. My stepbrother has one and when it flashes "bat 10.5 " or whatever, he disconnects the controller and it pumps fine..
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: Dave Willis on April 10, 2013, 07:17:42 am
I run directly off mine but the Toyota uses two batteries to start it.
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: Frankybadboy on April 10, 2013, 07:55:20 am
My van batteries are six years old now - I thought I'd have loads of trouble. Been fine for fourteen months now. (touch wood).  :D

Bit dangerous for you a statement like that Dave!!!!!! ;D ;D
can wait for something to happen now,surely dave dont push it
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: ♠Winp®oClean♠ on April 10, 2013, 08:07:01 am
You guys that run off of your van battery, do you mean you have a split charger, or do you connect pump directly to it?

Cheers

ps I think these new controllers over complicate things. My stepbrother has one and when it flashes "bat 10.5 " or whatever, he disconnects the controller and it pumps fine..

No split charger, direct from battery. I use a MKI digital varistream to SAVE battery power. Apparently though, The MKII can be a bit of a nightmare. Taking the "current" varistream model out the equation, an electronic controller should always SAVE power by the pump running slower than without it.
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: DaveG on April 10, 2013, 08:10:05 am
Cheers Dave and Winpro.

I've got the same controller as you Win, think I'll give your idea a go.

Sorry to hijack thread Dazzo!

 ;D ;D ;D ;D

4 smileys for ya!
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: dazmond on April 10, 2013, 08:19:02 am
im off to buy another leisure battery in a min from a local supplier.ill leave it on charge at home and go to work.if battery starts dying on me this afternoon ill simply pop back home and fit the new one.

ive  cleaned  one of the terminals with cola as the negative terminal was slightly corroded.think ill buy some better connectors instead of the crappy crocodile clips that were supplied with the pumpbox while im there.

cheers guys.

ive no idea about split charge relays etc wired up to van battery.how do you get wires to the battery if your pump is at the other end of the van? ??? ???
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: jonboywalton75 on April 10, 2013, 08:22:02 am
I use a 110amp leisure  battery.
Lasts 3 days between charges.
No controller.
I have a cigarette lighter  adapter  as a backup,  so never have to go home early.
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: SherwoodCleaningSe on April 10, 2013, 03:08:08 pm
Hi Dazmond

What charger are you using, you have said an intelligent battery charger but does it stipulate what size battery it will charge or is it an intelligent charger from say a trolly system.  What size is the battery you have, how many Amp hours?

I would recommend spending some money on a good charger like a CTEK, in the long run a good charger will prolong the life of the battery.  I'd also recommend getting an AGM battery, however seeing as you only run one pump this is less of an issue, but an AGM battery as opposed to a standard Lead Acid will last a lot longer.

If your work is compact then I would advise against wiring to the van battery as you will drain you battery and not be able to start back up.  I do think the option of getting batteries from a scrap yard is a good idea certainly cost effective even if the battery only last 3 months or so.

There is a difference between starter batteries and leisure, a starter is made do give out a lot of amps in one go but not to discharge to near empty levels, where as a leisure is the other way around, discharges to near empty ok but can'y give out a lot of amps in one hit.

Simon.
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: concept on April 10, 2013, 03:14:47 pm
i bought a new pumpbox around 5 months ago now with 12v lead acid leisure battery.

i charge it every night for around 3 hours until the intelligent charger shows a green light(meaning battery fully charged and maintaining)then i pop it back in pumpbox ready for the next days work.

anyway both today and yesterday the controller is flashing BAT 10.8 after around 5 hours working time and pump keeps kicking in periodically! >:( >:(

i had the whole of last week off but when i checked battery on sun night it was still showing a full charge!

im gonna leave battery on charge all night tonight even when the green light comes on and see how i go on tomorrow.

my last leisure battery lasted 2 and a half years before it finally needed replacing!


any ideas guys?? ??? ??? ???


frustrating as i wanted to get a bit more work done today and i have a busy few days ahead of me!!


thanks in advance



dazmond

110a leisure battery and split charge system, you will never need to charge the battery again, just replace it in a year or 2.

Never seen the point in charging batteries nightly or messing about taking them out, invest in decent gear and it repays you in an instant.

£70 leisure battery
£80 DECENT split charger with correct gauge cabling

Trouble free.
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: Dave Willis on April 10, 2013, 04:52:14 pm
I had an electrician run the power from the van battery to the back with an inline fuse. I fully expected problems starting the van at the end of the day but have had none on six year old batteries too. Most of my work is compact. I reckoned I spent £500 on leisure batteries since 2007. What a waste of money!
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: evo on April 10, 2013, 04:54:01 pm
i bought a new pumpbox around 5 months ago now with 12v lead acid leisure battery.

i charge it every night for around 3 hours until the intelligent charger shows a green light(meaning battery fully charged and maintaining)then i pop it back in pumpbox ready for the next days work.

anyway both today and yesterday the controller is flashing BAT 10.8 after around 5 hours working time and pump keeps kicking in periodically! >:( >:(

i had the whole of last week off but when i checked battery on sun night it was still showing a full charge!

im gonna leave battery on charge all night tonight even when the green light comes on and see how i go on tomorrow.

my last leisure battery lasted 2 and a half years before it finally needed replacing!


any ideas guys?? ??? ??? ???


frustrating as i wanted to get a bit more work done today and i have a busy few days ahead of me!!


thanks in advance



dazmond

110a leisure battery and split charge system, you will never need to charge the battery again, just replace it in a year or 2.

Never seen the point in charging batteries nightly or messing about taking them out, invest in decent gear and it repays you in an instant.

£70 leisure battery
£80 DECENT split charger with correct gauge cabling

Trouble free.



run off van battery £0 even better :) i have been doing this for the last 2 years with out any problems and i only do 4000 miles a year
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: dazmond on April 10, 2013, 06:52:04 pm
cheers for all the advice guys!

it seems as though i should of charged it all night on sunday night after a week off work last week even though my charger was showing a full charge.

today before work it was reading 12.7 volts and 12.2 volts after a full days work with no problems whatsover.
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: Ian Sheppard on April 10, 2013, 07:12:53 pm
i bought a new pumpbox around 5 months ago now with 12v lead acid leisure battery.

i charge it every night for around 3 hours until the intelligent charger shows a green light(meaning battery fully charged and maintaining)then i pop it back in pumpbox ready for the next days work.

anyway both today and yesterday the controller is flashing BAT 10.8 after around 5 hours working time and pump keeps kicking in periodically! >:( >:(

i had the whole of last week off but when i checked battery on sun night it was still showing a full charge!

im gonna leave battery on charge all night tonight even when the green light comes on and see how i go on tomorrow.

my last leisure battery lasted 2 and a half years before it finally needed replacing!


any ideas guys?? ??? ??? ???


frustrating as i wanted to get a bit more work done today and i have a busy few days ahead of me!!


thanks in advance



dazmond

Check the connectors are all in good condition replace any that are worn or damaged. If you have a new V11 controller they come with a low battery cut off over ride. Check your quick start guide and see.
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: dazmond on April 10, 2013, 07:19:21 pm
ian as you seem to know a lot more than me about controllers and batteries is the volt charge of 12.7 ok when fully charged then 12.2 volts after 7 hours work on a high flow?

and should i be trickle charging it every night overnight?


thanks in advance ian.

by the way its a 75 ah leisure battery(5 months old)


regards


dazmond
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: Mike #1 on April 10, 2013, 07:26:09 pm
Dazmond you should be able to work for 5-6 days without the need to charge your battery leisure batterys are typically ran quite low before the need to charge . Mike
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: dazmond on April 10, 2013, 07:35:27 pm
MIKE pure freedom always advise you to charge your leisure battery on trickle charge EVERY NIGHT!! :) :)
Title: Re: why is my battery only lasting 5 hrs?
Post by: Mike #1 on April 10, 2013, 07:42:09 pm
I know but i never payed any attention and got over 2yrs out my first trolley battery which was a 110ah deeep cycle battery .

Got over a year out of second one which was not as good , Then with my streambox 85ah battery i got 18 months out of it by only charging every few days . Mike