Battery Selection

[Bill B]

Setting up a Shurflo system. Deciding on a 12V battery. Two options are a normal (large) marine battery and a (smaller) ATV type of battery. Should be able to get several hours out of the smaller battery. What are your experiences? Is the extra reserve on the marine battery worth the weight?

Also are you charging with a trickle (1-2 amps), or a higher charge system?

 

[ron]

RON P

One battery is made for a hot stat-up, thats one big push then reload.
The other a constant 12 volts.
if i were to use my pump for an hour a day and had a charging system on my rig then i would use the smaller battery. If i did deck work all day everyday, i would get the big battery.

 

[Aplus]

I use a heavy duty Diehard marine battery. I can go several days without recharging with no problem. I can tell when it needs to be recharged, because my sureflow pump will have a different sound to it. The battery is heavy, but it provides lots of reserve power. Sometimes I wish it were lighter, especially after washing several decks, and fatigue sets in. I charge it overnite using an inexpensive 2amp manual charger.

Because my battery is powerful enough, I have been thinking about adding a second pump, hose and gun, to allow two guys to spray, saving time. That would not likely be possible with a smaller battery.

 

[Bill B]

Tony, do you know the amp hour capacity of your battery? Also, what size pump (gpm, pressure) are you using?

I like the two spray concept. Would speed up work on large jobs.

 

[Aplus]

Bill,

It is a group 27, 72 month Diehard with the following specs:

750 marine cranking amps
180 minute reserve capacity
105 AH

The pump is 60 psi & 1.4 GPM. I think it draws a max of 5 amps.

It sometimes takes me 20-30 minutes to properly apply stripper to a deck and railings, plus time to apply the brightener. An extra pump could easily save enough time to pay for itself. And for spraying stain, it would be really cost effective too.

Besides, my trailer is nearly full, and I really wouldn't want to lug around two complete spray cart setups.

 

[Bill B]

Thanks for the info Tony. I am looking at about the same draw on the pump, but less daily usage. May try the smaller battery.