Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: m.b.s. on December 09, 2007, 10:09:29 pm

Title: leisure batterys
Post by: m.b.s. on December 09, 2007, 10:09:29 pm
can you over charge a leisure battery
Title: Re: leisure batterys
Post by: Sir Squeaky on December 09, 2007, 10:43:18 pm
Don't know, but I often seem to undercharge it. >:(
Title: Re: leisure batterys
Post by: m.b.s. on December 09, 2007, 10:44:53 pm
Don't know, but I often seem to undercharge it. >:(
just wondering because when i put my charger on it seames that the charged light goes on quickly
Title: Re: leisure batterys
Post by: windowwashers on December 09, 2007, 11:10:16 pm
I had same problem after 2 weeks  ::)
now use a car battery and the other one
Title: Re: leisure batterys
Post by: stevekennedy on December 09, 2007, 11:31:58 pm
how do you wire them up windowwashers?
Title: Re: leisure batterys
Post by: windowwashers on December 09, 2007, 11:44:13 pm
how do you wire them up windowwashers?
with quick release connectors
Title: Re: leisure batterys
Post by: stevekennedy on December 09, 2007, 11:45:48 pm
I was meaning the two batteries. DO you just link them together?
Title: Re: leisure batterys
Post by: windowwashers on December 09, 2007, 11:47:57 pm
I was meaning the two batteries. DO you just link them together?
oh No, just always have one changed, change over at end of day

with these:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Quick-release-battery-clamps_W0QQitemZ310006472817QQihZ021QQcategoryZ76066QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

saves loads of messing about.

I dont rate 85ah leisure batterys. well the one I got in oct is total cr==
Title: Re: leisure batterys
Post by: stevekennedy on December 10, 2007, 09:47:51 am
I thought about doing this too as I have outgrown my driveway at home and will not be able to plug the vans in every night. Thought about keeping batteries on charge and just swapping them out every night.

I have just bought a 140ah GEL battery. COst me a FORTUNE. Haven't put it in yet. Didn't notice when I ordered it, but it has the wrong terminals. It has the screw threads on it. I am gonna have to change everything over  >:(

I thought about just using massive crocodile clips so I could do as you do windowwashers.

Anyone got any better ideas?
Title: Re: leisure batterys
Post by: Elginn on December 10, 2007, 05:55:27 pm
can you over charge a leisure battery
Yes you can, unless you buy a decent charger, I seen posts on here about the halfords intellegent charger, so I bought one and I must say there very good.
Title: Re: leisure batterys
Post by: windowwashers on December 10, 2007, 06:00:45 pm
I thought about doing this too as I have outgrown my driveway at home and will not be able to plug the vans in every night. Thought about keeping batteries on charge and just swapping them out every night.

I have just bought a 140ah GEL battery. COst me a FORTUNE. Haven't put it in yet. Didn't notice when I ordered it, but it has the wrong terminals. It has the screw threads on it. I am gonna have to change everything over  >:(

I thought about just using massive crocodile clips so I could do as you do windowwashers.

Anyone got any better ideas?
there has to be a quick release for that type of fitting will have a look later and post back if I can find any for you.

Ian
Title: Re: leisure batterys
Post by: stevekennedy on December 10, 2007, 06:28:45 pm
Cheers Ian

Thanks for the help.
Title: Re: leisure batterys
Post by: windowwashers on December 10, 2007, 06:40:54 pm
Cheers Ian

Thanks for the help.
Your Welcome  ;)

http://www.maplin.co.uk/module.aspx?ModuleNo=9566&doy=10m12

I am unsure if the fixing will fit, any chance you can measure the size or the connections on your battery.

It says they fit all batteries but I am unsure, if not there has to be something out there I will keep looking in the meantime  ;)


Ian
Title: Re: leisure batterys
Post by: Village Gleam on December 10, 2007, 06:51:01 pm
That's one of the reasons many of us have split charge relays. If you come to the end of the day and the flow is slow, we have the option of starting the engine.
So,
110 ah battery minimum
Split charge relay
decent charger on as often as possible

Yes you can damage your battery MBS. If you want a  proper technical answer the expert in this field is on the other forum- the one where Ian is a mod-. Links aren't allowed.
Title: Re: leisure batterys
Post by: windowwashers on December 10, 2007, 07:00:22 pm
That's one of the reasons many of us have split charge relays. If you come to the end of the day and the flow is slow, we have the option of starting the engine.
So,
110 ah battery minimum
Split charge relay
decent charger on as often as possible

Yes you can damage your battery MBS. If you want a  proper technical answer the expert in this field is on the other forum- the one where Ian is a mod-. Links aren't allowed.
have to say I am changing my mind about split charge relay, I still would only use that as a back up method and never the main source of power to battery.

Ian
Title: Re: leisure batterys
Post by: Ian_Giles on December 10, 2007, 07:02:38 pm
I thought about doing this too as I have outgrown my driveway at home and will not be able to plug the vans in every night. Thought about keeping batteries on charge and just swapping them out every night.

I have just bought a 140ah GEL battery. COst me a FORTUNE. Haven't put it in yet. Didn't notice when I ordered it, but it has the wrong terminals. It has the screw threads on it. I am gonna have to change everything over  >:(

I thought about just using massive crocodile clips so I could do as you do windowwashers.

Anyone got any better ideas?

My own BATTERIES are 2 huge 6 volt ones that I've wired up in series...er...or is that in parallel  ???
Whatever; I've got them wired so their output is doubled up to 12v and been using them for the last 12 months or so...fantastic batteries.

But these batteries have the screw in terminals too.
It really isn't a problem, just go to a hardware store and buy a couple of bolts that will fit them.
Also get a couple of nuts, when you screw in the bolt into the terminal, spin the nut onto the bolt onto the bolt first and use that to pinch the bolt in tight, leaving and inch or 2 protruding.
You can then either use quick release crocodile clips or whatever, or have another nut on the bolt that you simply use to clamp the wire for your pump on, and then use the crocodile clip method for your charger...works for me anyway...really easy and simple.
Leisure Batteries are the right thing for WFP, but like anything in life, if you go for bargain basement stuff I'm afraid you get what you pay for, and I think it really shows with something like batteries.
Buy cheap and replace often :-\

Ian
Title: Re: leisure batterys
Post by: stevekennedy on December 10, 2007, 07:50:02 pm
Thanks Ian, I have checked it out and they look like they are for the standard type batteries wioth the round terninals.

Mr Sol, I think you must have the same terminals as me. I have about 10 wires going to each terminal (this is Ionic after all!  ::)) I will try to get a pic on here with the terminal. What you say about split charge is interesting. We have split charge and it works fine, but I was wondering...

...when we bought the gel battery we had to buy a smart charger as the battery will overcharge otherwise. Will the split charge overcharge my battery?

Ian G, you are spot on about cost I think. My friend who works in a motor factors told me to go for the gel battery even though it cost £300  :o. He assures me I will save in the long run.
Title: Re: leisure batterys
Post by: Davew on December 10, 2007, 07:55:56 pm
I have a theory that not all batteries are the same - there are some massive price differences about on leisure batteries and i'm sure it's not down to branding or discounts. My 85ah lasted just over six months before it started playing up. I know it has warranty but as it was purchased as part of a package it would prove difficult to return it i feel. (rather heavy)
Title: Re: leisure batterys
Post by: Village Gleam on December 10, 2007, 08:21:00 pm
My split relay wouldn't damage it. Jeff reflections would know a proper answer.

I like all the best equipment too and think I am becoming a WFP snob.
Title: Re: leisure batterys
Post by: stevekennedy on December 10, 2007, 08:23:01 pm
WFP SNOB ;D ;D ;D

Love it!
Title: Re: leisure batterys
Post by: billozz on December 10, 2007, 08:26:07 pm
Will the split charge overcharge my battery?


absolutely no chance of the split charger overcharging your battery. imo they are a waste of money the ammount of charge that trickles into the battery is no good, we have to charge ours every night in order to keep it topped up.
also the main thing about leisure batteries is that they are "slow charge" "slow discharge" they are designed to discharge slowly, that is why they are great for wfp all day, but dont try to recharge them quickly with a super fast charger or you will cook the battery and it will not last very long