Suitable generic battery for Bravo HP pump

Fenlander · 05 July 2015, 19:04

Getting some last minute pre-hols kit together...

I know I've seen it somewhere on here before but can anyone point me in the right direction for the battery capacity needed for a Bravo HP pump?

I seem to remember a generic Ebay one for alarms etc at about £15 would do.

willk · 05 July 2015, 19:45

Any 7 amp hour 12v alarm battery will suffice. Do yourself a favour and buy a 12 Ah version - I understand that the 7s get almost drained during an inflation/deflation cycle and it's hard on them. I'm currently using a 32 Ah from my lawnmower (which is cheating) and it's good for anything I throw at it.

willk · 05 July 2015, 19:58

single Powerline 12V 12Ah AGM GEL Battery Mobility Shoprider Whisper Sunrunner S | eBay

Fenlander · 05 July 2015, 21:02

Ahh thanks. Agree re capacity... particularly as we're taking two SIBs. That Ebay seller looks OK so I'll get that one.

lightning · 06 July 2015, 07:08

The 7Ah one doesn't almost get drained on one inflate/deflate cycle on my 2.8m Zodiac.
It will easily do two cycles, and l've done three without it going flat. The Bravo pump draws about 10 Amps and will inflate the boat in five minutes.
I've had the battery four years and it's still OK, (somebody said these batteries don't last long when used in this way)

However if there's a 12 Ah battery then why not l suppose, the extra capacity won't do any harm particularly if you have two boats to inflate.

Fenlander · 06 July 2015, 08:27

Yep the cost of the 12ah over the 7ah wasn't a deal breaker and I'd no intention of trying to store it in the side pouch of the pump bag (where the £100 OE rechargeables would go) so the extra width wasn't a problem.

I've ordered the 12ah now plus a small battery charger that is OK for gel batteries. My existing charger is a huge dusty old thing in the garage with no mention it is gel compatible.

It will be a luxury being fully portable as in the past we've struggled to get the boat near the battery end of the car when car parks are busy. Usually we have tried to park with an adj space free and quickly set the boat up before it becomes the only free space when we might have to drag the part inflated boat away (on a tarp) to avoid seafront wars.

Fenlander · 08 July 2015, 12:04

Good service from that Ebay seller Wilk linked... delivered on time and properly packed. The charger I bought as well is really neat.

I'll give some feedback on battery capacity after the hols.

Fenlander · 04 August 2015, 08:17

Just an update. The 12ah battery has been fine but as I commented in another thread I actually used the footpump more than elec this year... to a certain extent as we were in such a quiet holiday location the elec pump noise seemed intrusive.

I did the first inflate with the Bravo elec and 12ah battery though and it just managed to inflate the Aerotec and Zodiac 340 with HP floor to pressure before the pump slowed down loads.

willk · 04 August 2015, 20:55

So, depending on how you want to view it, I either gave you good advice or a bad link?

Fenlander · 04 August 2015, 21:49

>>> I either gave you good advice

What... borrow your lawnmower???

Yabadabadoo · 05 August 2015, 12:02

Afternoon all, hope you don't mind if I hijack this thread to ask about chargers..

I have this http://m.screwfix.com/p/ring-rcb104-...rger-12v/37258

If I use it on a gel battery to re charge will I create a pool of plastic? The trickle charger Fenlander shows seems to be more gentle..

Fenlander · 05 August 2015, 13:54

Hmm... not sure. I'm a bit of a by the book guy so looked for a charger that actually mentioned gel suitability.