Replace portable vacuum cleaner battery with lithium?

[richardm47]

My Waeco PowerVac PV100 needs a new 12v battery. It has quite a small lead acid battery pack, which was always slow to recharge, and now doesn’t last long.

Old battery label: KT1226 12v 2.6 Ah
Chinese manufacturer: Power One Battery Limited
Size: 178x34x60mm

I can’t seem to find a new KT1226 in the U.K. Found them in Germany but delivery cost is high.

Would it be sensible to replace it with a lithium battery? That should recharge quicker and might last longer? I found the following online. Would this one be suitable to run the PowerVac's electric motor?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BATTERIE...292396?hash=item3af585d6ec:g:3rMAAOSwDmBY5OI8

I'm a bit out of my depth on this: any advice welcome.

 

[MikeCC]

No, the charging for Li-ion is completely different and there is a fire risk if you don't do it correctly.

Take a look at CPC who have a huge range of small batteries for just this sort of thing. Don't look for the part number, just the voltage and dimensions (which could be +/- 1 or 2mm)

 

[macd]

No, the charging for Li-ion is completely different and there is a fire risk if you don't do it correctly.

Wouldn't that be taken care of by the charger that accompanies the battery the OP asked about?
The greater issue might be the configuration of the terminals and the securing of the battery in the vac.

I'm puzzled as to why he's thinking of spending £36 when what appears to be much the same kit is available for £9 elsewhere on EBay: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Super-Du...&sd=253227292396&_trksid=p2047675.c100623.m-1

 

[MikeCC]

OK, didn't look at link, thought it was for the replacement LA. But yes, expensive.

If terminal connections in vac are on flyleads and you can make safe connection plus use their charger, then why not. Might even be able to get a larger one that fits.

 

[richardm47]

Well this is going to be interesting.

I’ve ordered a lithium battery and charger from eBay, using Mac's info. It is 6800mah and £12. From China. Says it takes up to 8hrs to charge, a bit disappointing. But extra capacity will make up for that. I’ll have to fiddle around fettling the connections, have to solder I think, but it will be a big improvement if it works.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/322688913947

I now have a Plan B too. A lead acid battery by Yuasa from CPC, as suggested by MikeCC. That would be 2.3ah and £14.
http://cpc.farnell.com/yuasa/np2-3-12/battery-lead-acid-12v-2-3ah/dp/BT00575

Thanks to both Mike and Mac for the pointers!

 

[Ric]

I would make sure I was on the boat all the time that the battery is charging.

We've had multiple fires and explosions with the various lithium batteries that we use for our drones at work. One even exploded in mid flight wiping out a $3000 drone.

 

[greeny]

My Waeco PowerVac PV100 needs a new 12v battery. It has quite a small lead acid battery pack, which was always slow to recharge, and now doesn’t last long.

Old battery label: KT1226 12v 2.6 Ah
Chinese manufacturer: Power One Battery Limited
Size: 178x34x60mm

I can’t seem to find a new KT1226 in the U.K. Found them in Germany but delivery cost is high.

Would it be sensible to replace it with a lithium battery? That should recharge quicker and might last longer? I found the following online. Would this one be suitable to run the PowerVac's electric motor?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BATTERIE...292396?hash=item3af585d6ec:g:3rMAAOSwDmBY5OI8

I'm a bit out of my depth on this: any advice welcome.

Can you wait until March for it to be delivered?

 

[William_H]

The problem with lithium batteries is that they are described as 3.7volt per cell but start at 4v when charged. This means that a battery would be described as 12v but that is max volts and goes down to 11.1v then even lower. This may be OK for user. but a vacuum cleaner needs lots of compressor RPM provided best by lots of volts to the motor for best vacuum. I would suggest a 4 cell lithium battery. This can easily be made up of 4x 18650 cells. You connect up a charge controller which controls charge and also controls discharge. You will however need around 17 volts or more to charge it. A laptop power supply would do that. https://www.ebay.com/itm/4S-6A-Li-i...598918?hash=item33af8d3486:g:CRMAAOSwo~lZeBoD fro batteries
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Battery-Ca...hash=item41bf43e5f0:m:mAZ0BcZ4MujKR-Bu1oJ3rrQ fro battery holder.
I really have some doubts about Chinese claims to AH capacity but still good and cheap. If you want more capacity and have room fit another 4 cells in parallel.
NB you can go 3 cells if you want of course but less volts by 4v. olewill