[Ian_Giles]

I know their is currently another battery topic going, but in a change of emphasis, though still linked, I thought I would ask you all how many batteries you have used, and how long you find they have lasted you?

For me it has been 3 years and I'm currently on my 3rd battery...actually that is 2 batteries linked together...er...2 big, very deep cycle 6 volt batteries
They are connected to one another via a thick steel plate, negative to negative, they don't have normal terminals but rather have bolts that you screw in instead.

So I've doubled the voltage and charge with intelligent 12 volt charger...which seems weird to me, but there you go

I've been using this setup since last Autumn and it seems to be still going strong.

I've always charged batteries overnight, try never to use them 2 days running without re-charging them.
I've so far found that my batteries, even with recharging every night, only last about 12 months before I need to buy a new one.

They are used pretty solidly every working day, up until Valentines day I've always ran a 60psi pump, but now run a 100psi pump.

I don't use the like of a varistream, partly because I like a pretty high flowrate.

As I understand it, were I to use a Varistream I would extend the life of my battery...but that would only happen if I enjoyed using a lower flowrate As the varistream reduces the voltage down to only what is needed to power the pump to the level required to maintain your preferred flowrate....as I understand it that is!

This thread is really aimed at those using full sized van mounts, if you are using a backpack or trolley your batteries will be smaller because of weight, though when I was using my trolley I also used a full sized 85ah leisure battery

So...how long is your battery lasting you? how many of you have found yourselves having to replace your battery far sooner than you expected to?


Ian

[Paul Coleman]

I know their is currently another battery topic going, but in a change of emphasis, though still linked, I thought I would ask you all how many batteries you have used, and how long you find they have lasted you?

For me it has been 3 years and I'm currently on my 3rd battery...actually that is 2 batteries linked together...er...2 big, very deep cycle 6 volt batteries
They are connected to one another via a thick steel plate, negative to negative, they don't have normal terminals but rather have bolts that you screw in instead.

So I've doubled the voltage and charge with intelligent 12 volt charger...which seems weird to me, but there you go

I've been using this setup since last Autumn and it seems to be still going strong.

I've always charged batteries overnight, try never to use them 2 days running without re-charging them.
I've so far found that my batteries, even with recharging every night, only last about 12 months before I need to buy a new one.

They are used pretty solidly every working day, up until Valentines day I've always ran a 60psi pump, but now run a 100psi pump.

I don't use the like of a varistream, partly because I like a pretty high flowrate.

As I understand it, were I to use a Varistream I would extend the life of my battery...but that would only happen if I enjoyed using a lower flowrate As the varistream reduces the voltage down to only what is needed to power the pump to the level required to maintain your preferred flowrate....as I understand it that is!

This thread is really aimed at those using full sized van mounts, if you are using a backpack or trolley your batteries will be smaller because of weight, though when I was using my trolley I also used a full sized 85ah leisure battery

So...how long is your battery lasting you? how many of you have found yourselves having to replace your battery far sooner than you expected to?


Ian

I haven't actually slung a battery away but I find that both my 12 volters struggle on a day when I do larger jobs with little driving.  When I get fed up with one, I swap them round and recharge the low battery from the mains.  I avoid this where possible as it's quite a lump to carry up the steps to my flat.  There have been times when I've felt lazy about this so I sometimes take a spare key out with me, lock the cab, and run the engine while working (off road if possible due to legality).  Obviously this isn't so brilliant for diesel consumption.

[steve m]

be handy to know how much water you us eper day as well.

[AuRavelling79]

2 years ago I bought an "Avon" 85 a/h from Bristol batteries, used a trickle charger overnight, initially pumped 100/150L a day with a 60psi pump.

I put it in my van in October with a 100psi plus varistream (you can run it on "max" for a high flowrate, Ian) set at between 1 o'clock and 3 o'clock on the main dial. I was soon pumping 300L/400L a day and in March I noticed it was dying at the end of the day. (22 months old)

At the end of my tax year at the end of March I bit the bullet and bought a 135 amp battery (£60) and a smart charger (£40) and I charge as per instructions every night.

I do not charge from the van charging system.

[Chris Cottrell]

Ian

I have an 85ah leisure battery with 100psi shurflo & Varisream2, its been in the van for nearly a year now with split charge relay & I have put a digital volt display inside the cab so I can always see the state of the charge, the charge in the battery has never been below 12.5v, and I too enjoy a higher flow rate when its necessary

Chris

[Clear Vision]

I have two 12v leisure batteries. One I have had for just over a year and is still going very strong!

They last me about 3 day's each then I need to recharge them

[Grafters Cleaning Services]

2 years on the same 12v leisure battery

[Paul Coleman]

be handy to know how much water you us eper day as well.

Varies a lot.
Depends what sort of work is on that day.

[KarlJones]

I know this is a bit cheeky, but I go camping a lot and would love someones old 85 Amp job if they are finding it is no longer quite up to the job.  As long as it is not too bad,  ie- if it is half as good as what it was and free

[jeff1]

2 years on the same 12v leisure battery

This post tell me someone looks after his battery well done grafter.

My leisure battery is 8 years old and still going strong  but and this is a big but, it has only been used for wfp since December last year, and I still charge it every day.
 
It will last me to the end of my day with plenty of power left  to continue work if I had to.
Look after your batteries and they will look after you.

[Grafters Cleaning Services]

2 years on the same 12v leisure battery

This post tell me someone looks after his battery well done grafter.

My leisure battery is 8 years old and still going strong  but and this is a big but, it has only been used for wfp since December last year, and I still charge it every day.
 
It will last me to the end of my day with plenty of power left  to continue work if I had to.
Look after your batteries and they will look after you.

yes it is a big leisure battery and i think the secret is to let them discharge complettly sometimes then re-charge

[jeff1]

Your right Jay but not to often I hope?

The trouble is, even if a batery cost us £50 if you look after it, you should get a few years service from it.

I used mine in my caravan and even during the winter period, I didn't just stick it in a shed and forget about it, I kept it charged through out the winter, and its paid me back no end, if it was to die on me tomorrow, there is no way I could moan about it.
If I had one for a year and looked after it, I would have something to moan about.

[Count Phil]

You can still have a high flow rate with a varistream, you can turn it all the way up and use full pump power or turn it down and use less. And save battery life. Whatever made you think you couldn't?

[ok cleaning]

i only have an ordinary battery but it is connected to my main battery with a split charger so i i have been using the same one for olmost 3 years now

[neil100]

I am on my sixth Battery and about to order a 7th one in 18months of wfp.

Five of the batteries have been very cheap to buy, Numax the make, but they are not up to the job of wfp. They have been 3 x 85amp and 2 x 110amp.

I currently mainly use a 115amp Deep cycle American Battery which I have been useing for the last 15 weeks. So far touch wood it seams to be in a diffrent leauge to the other batteries I have had.

I look after my batteries so its so dissapointing that they run out of juice so quick. I recharge them every day after use and I have allways used one battery for the morning and one for the afternoon so as not to take to much charge out of them.I dont know weather I am adding to the work load of the battery by running 60psi flowjet pumps with 100mtr M/bore hoses. I wonder if switching to 100psi pumps will make it easier for the battery.

My current 110amp numax batteries will only last for an hour when fully charged but I try to use them so my American battery is not going all day long.

I need another high quality battery to share the load. I wfp most days for 8 1/2 hours, with the odd house trad.

Maybe I'm allergic to batteries.

Nel

[East coast window cleaning Services]

2 1/2 years on the same 12v leisure battery on 60 psi pump just starting to loose it charge. wheres the best place to buy a replacement