[TomCrowther]

Hi Guys. I have recently taken on a part time helper and am suffering a bit with the battery/controller situation.
I bought a new 100psi shureflo pump and a streamline digi controller for the new reel. The other reel also has a 100 psi shureflo pump but the older "analogue" style controller with the numpty.
With a fully charged battery,after a few hours continuous use, the digi controller packs in saying bat, meaning low battery while the other keeps going no probs all day. Also when on stop and start type jobs, usually domestic work it lasts longer but then the flow drops off later in the day.
I need a set up that will allow both to keep going all day. Do I need to use two batteries? The battery is on a split relay.
Cheers.

[Lee GLS]

Just use one pump for both reels and see if your battery lasts longer. It's probably your battery that is knackered, we used 2 pumps from one battery and it would easily last 1-2 days.

[Ian Sheppard]

Running one pump to two reels is one answer, just beware of pressure drops  between the two lines.

Running two pumps for one battery you need to take into account the current drawn from the battery with two pumps will effectively double.

One pump will draw 3 - 5amps two pumps will draw 6 - 10 amps this will reduce how long the charge will last.
Lee,s advice on the battery is right, an older battery will not hold a charge as well as a newer one. It may be worth considering a second battery for the second pump and controller.

How long have you had the digiflow? The newer V11 warns at 11V and cuts off at 10.5V plus it has a low battery cut off override. 1st I need to confirm which version you have.

[Pete Thompson]

from what I've read, these digital type controllers (with the digital display) are much more prone to problems with low battery that the analogue ones.

[DaveG]

from what I've read, these digital type controllers (with the digital display) are much more prone to problems with low battery that the analogue ones.

Agreed, I think they "over complicate" things..

[Ian Sheppard]

A thought, Check the wiring and connectors replace any worn connectors also keep cabling as short as possible. Long cable can lead to volt drop meaning the controller will see a lower voltage.

The rationale behind the low battery cut off.

We were advised that to regularly run a battery below 11V for prolonged periods would damage the cells and the ability of the battery to recharge and hold a charge.
Having a voltage meter on the controller is a very good diagnostic tool for us and helps to quickly identify what and where. For the people using them knowing the battery state has also proved useful.

The single biggest draw on the battery is the pump, with out a cut off the pump will simply drain a battery to a point where it damages the cells ability to re charge and hold that charge.

The 2013 range of digitals do have a battery cut off over ride. which allows the days work to be completed then charge the be charged

We would recommend that the battery cut off is left active and if switched off that it is reactivated once the battery has been recharged.

[david wood]

i had the same trouble now i use 2 batterys

[TomCrowther]

Thanks guys. I will probably use a splitter then and try the one pump but will also get a new battery and keep the old one charged up just in case of emergencies.

[Ian Sheppard]

Short video showing the low battery cut of overide feature. Please note this is on the newer controllers available since November
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3u2-5R66GcA&feature=youtu.be

[bobplum]

Hi Guys. I have recently taken on a part time helper and am suffering a bit with the battery/controller situation.
I bought a new 100psi shureflo pump and a streamline digi controller for the new reel. The other reel also has a 100 psi shureflo pump but the older "analogue" style controller with the numpty.
With a fully charged battery,after a few hours continuous use, the digi controller packs in saying bat, meaning low battery while the other keeps going no probs all day. Also when on stop and start type jobs, usually domestic work it lasts longer but then the flow drops off later in the day.
I need a set up that will allow both to keep going all day. Do I need to use two batteries? The battery is on a split relay.
Cheers.

have you fitted a relay charger from your van battery to the second battery,this will charge your second battery as you drive

[wayne m]

Digital controllers are useless they always seem to read .5 or 1 volt lower than what is actually in the battery I had this problem even with a brand new 110a battery kept losing pressure so brought one of r c property new twin controller in one box works perfect give him an email I'm sure he will sort you out!

[Ian Sheppard]

While copper wiring is a good conductor of electrical current it still has a resistance factor. In short there will always be a difference in voltage along a length of cable between the power source and the item drawing that power.

The longer the cable the greater the resistance in the cable so the greater the voltage drop along its length. Another factor in volt drop is the quality and condition of connections. Even with a pump connected direct to a battery you would see a drop in volts at the pump compared to the volts at the battery.

[SherwoodCleaningSe]

The majority of leisure batteries are not up to the job of supplying 2 pumps.  I used to get through 1 decent leisure battery every 6 months or so.  I eventually invested in an AGM type battery from Elecsol 135 Amp/Hr, this has lasted 2 years with no problems so although a lot more money it's now saving money.

A bench charge every now and then with a decent charger like a C-Tec also works wonders.

Simon.