Guest JohnGalway Posted March 29, 2008 Report Share Posted March 29, 2008 Hi folks, I posted this here as shooters, dog men, and others will use lamps so I don't think it's section specific. At the moment I use an AMA 18amp 12v sealed lead acid rechargeable battery. Generally this type does me for one season, I mean from end of the summer to when I finish up in April/May time. I'm looking for a battery that will last longer without me having to downgrade the wattage of my lamp bulb (75W usually), if this is possible.... I've heard batteries such as those out of golf gliders/trolleys are very good. Mate of mine reckons he gets 6 hours lamping time on a 50W bulb, 6 hours full recharge time, don't know the amps of that particular battery though. Keep asking him to get me one but.... Anyway rather than have arguments over bulbs and lamps, which I don't want to hear in this topic, does anyone here use anything different/better than what I have at the moment? (yeah yeah 4x4 etc smartalecs I've thought of those ). Could be on a hiding to nothing here but worth asking anyway. ATB, John Quote Link to post Share on other sites
speedlamper 0 Posted March 29, 2008 Report Share Posted March 29, 2008 a battery should last you years, do you use all the power before you recharge it? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest JohnGalway Posted March 30, 2008 Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 Nope Speedy, I use it until I notice it getting dim, then I head home and stick it on charge Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SportingShooter 0 Posted March 30, 2008 Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 It does seem strange that it needs replacing after a seasons use. Personally i run a , 14 amp 12v with a 75w bulb in my lightforce 170 which ive had for a few years now, lasts for about 75 mins if its left on constantly. but all night if its flicked on and off. Regards Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest smashygadge Posted March 30, 2008 Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 ive only had problems with my batterys when using an incorrect charger low output trickle ive found best and keeps battery life longer Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest JohnGalway Posted March 30, 2008 Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 I'm using a Deben charger, started off with one of their battery packs, all I did to the charger was modify the battery connections to connect to the eye's on the battery terminals Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Deker 3,478 Posted March 30, 2008 Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 (edited) John Our friends at Deben do 2 standard chargers, 6v/12v 500ma and 6v/12v 800ma. Both of these have the red power and green charging lamps, is this like yours? Either will charge your 18AH battery but the 800ma would be recomended, would still be a trickle charge and all being equal will still take in the order of 22 hours to fully charge a completely flat 18AH I struggle to belief that most makes of sealed lead acid rechargeable batteries are that much different, but Yuasa are rated amongst the best (and most expensive). One season from your battery does seem very little, do you follow all the recharging guidelines and ALWAYS keep it charged, this type of battery does not have a memory and should be charged after every use, not simply when you have run it dead! I use mine an awful lot all through the year and would expect/get 2-3 years from my batteries! Deker Edited March 30, 2008 by Deker Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Guest JohnGalway Posted March 30, 2008 Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 I've both chargers, I use the 800ma one on this battery, used to have a 14amp battery that I used the other charger on. The very odd time I'll connect up the charger but forget to plug it in until the next day, due to being knackered, but this happens maybe once or twice a season at most, I never intentionally leave any battery uncharged or half charged. In bad weather when I'm not out if it goes on a long time I'll stick the lamp on for a while and recharge again 2-3 years sounds an awful lot better, may just need to swop battery types. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bill88 6 Posted March 30, 2008 Report Share Posted March 30, 2008 John the batteries you are looking for are the "VRLA or Gel Cyclic" these are the batteries used on golf trolleys,and the amp hour rating varies between 18ah and 36ah,with the former being for small lightweight trolleys doing 18 holes of golf and the latter being for the heavier trolleys doing 18 or 36 holes.I have a 12v18ah cyclic battery here from a "HillBilly" golf trolley,and although its the smallest golf trolley battery,it is very heavy,and would need a well designed harness to carry for long periods.The battery i use on my own golf trolley is a 12v24ah and is almost twice the size and weight of the 18ah.Another factor when using cyclic batteries is charging and working them,they must be charged using a smart charger,and can be completely killed by running them flat,cyclic batteries should NEVER be ran totally flat.I have a Powakaddy smart charger that charges in 4 stages,and can then be left on for as long as you like without doing any damage to the battery,in fact they recommend the battery be left connected to the charger all the time unless you are actually using it.HTH's,Bill Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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