Battery life

[Tom Dunlap]

My chipper is a Vermeer 1230. For some reason, the batteries only seem to last about 18 months.On one hand, that isn't too bad. I've gotten three new batteries and the warranty just keeps getting extended. On the other hand, its a pain in the butt to have to run to the battery store every year and a half. The other two chippers that I've run in the previous 25 years have all had batteries that died after the warranty was expired just like they're supposed to.

What kind of life do others get out of a chipper battery? I've wondered if the jiggling and banging of the chipper deteriorates the batteries prematurely. I might just take the chipper in to have the charging system checked. Over charging will toast batteries I know.

Tom

 

[jsirbasku]

Tom ,
Im going on 2 years and still starting strong. Some advise if you will, those portable battery jumper packs cost around 80 bucks if it gets you going just once it has probably paid for itself.
Another trick i learned but have not yet implemented, run some heavy gauge wire along the chassis of your truck from the truck battery back to the rear of the truck with enough excess to reach the battery compartment on the chipper. Put clips on both ends and you have yourself a hardwired jumper cable system to start your chipper in a pinch or vise versa. I would think even something less than standard gauge jumpers would give enough of a trickle charge to get things going.
I know i strayed a bit from your question, but hopefully this will help from down time on the job
John

 

[Frans]

batteries

Tom
You are on to something with your thought of vibration affecting the batteries. Yes this will in time affect the plates inside. Batt. failure is common due to vibration.
Do you underinflate your tires on the chipper?

Frans

 

[Tom Dunlap]

The extendo jumper cable is a good idea John. That would be an easy one to build.

Frans,
The tires are up to standard. I always change out the winter air in my tires and put in summer air too. Part of the spring/fall checkup.

If vibration where really a killer, then why didn't the batteries die in my old chippers? I'm expecting that others may be experiencing the same thing or that maybe the batteries I'm getting aren't built as tough as they should be.

Tom

 

[treeclimber165]

Frans mentioned a good idea, although I think you missed it, Tom. Most chippers come with heavy duty 6- or 8-ply tires that can take 50-80psi max. I've always seen chipper tires only inflated to 30-35 lbs, to help absorb some of the jolts while driving down the road. I'm sure it helps while chipping, too. It gives the tires a bit of 'cush' that tends to make life easier on the whole machine.
Look in the rear view mirror while bouncing over some railroad tracks while the chipper tires are inflated to max pressure. Then try it again with the tires at 30psi.

 

[DDM]

Tom? are you using an automotive battery? or a Tractor/equipment battery?
Tractor batteries are built to take vibration ect Where as Auto Batteries are not.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I've made custom jumpers, not hard wired, but just realy long ones so we did not have to jockey trucks around. The longer the wire, the heavier guage. If you build a long one get a heavy guage braided wire.

Military vehiles have a "slave" system, you can plug one into another without poping the hood. You could have fun designing your own so that your plugging into the starter system of the chipper.

an eiser option may be, covered outlet in the back of the truck you can plug a modified jumper into. Maybe have a knife switch under the hood of th truck.

 

[DDM]

You could get a couple of those Plugs and receptacles like used for a boats trolling motor. They work quiet well.

 

[Stump Man]

I have to replace the battery every two years on my Vermeer 2465 stump grinder. It must be vibration.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Steve,

That's kind of what I'm thinking too. I'm going to talk to the tech people at Batteries Plus to see what they say. If they will allow me a lateral trade in, I'll get a different battery. Since the one I have in the van is now brand new, I'll be chaning the battery next winter some time

The sliver is still in my palm. the skin healed over my excavation and it isn't too tender. Some time it will pop up or get dissolved by my body. That's why I'm glad I heal and don't seal

Tom

 

[Stump Man]

Battery Life.

Yes, I have been using just regular car batteries in stumper. I am going to try a tractor battery this time. Also have same problem with my Mini-Chief self propelled stumper. Thanks for Help
Steve

 

[Stump Man]

I just got back from my battery dealer. I purchased an OPti-Cell which is a sealed funny looking battery. It is surposed to still all kinds of vibration. The fellow says a lot of construction companies use them on heavy equipment, all stock cars. It was around $95 but it seems like it is the answer to my problems with batteries.
Steve