Hi,

I circulated the original email amongst the committee of Branch and Mobile Libraries – the responses are below

Kindest regards

Karen

Hon Sec

From: Jon Davis [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday 03 August 2011 14:43
To: Shepherd, Julia
Subject: RE: Mobile library batteries

Hi Julia,

If yours last 8 – 12 years, you’re doing very well indeed. We do operate very power-hungry vehicle specifications – we have IT on all vehicles, heat & light and all bar two of our vehicles have air-conditioning which runs from the auxiliary batteries. All that use tends to wear them out quickly, especially when fast-drain items are used, such as the air-con or kettles/microwaves. We do tend also to replace ours at the first sign of deterioration – I’d rather spend £3-400 every three years or so than risk staff complaining about being cold or uncomfortable, or having routes cancelled or vehicles out-of-service because their batteries only managed half a day!

Steve Skidmore’s point about regular maintenance and charge cycles is also well-taken – as I say ours do get some pretty heavy use – and we are not directly responsible for maintenance, out Transport Services guys are. Now, far be it from me to suggest that Transport Services are anything but absolute models of efficiency, but experience has led to the last five vehicles I’ve ordered all having something called ‘Aqua-alert’ fitted – which is a device for monitoring electrolyte levels. When the Aqua-alert alarm is triggered, (at intervals of anywhere from three to six weeks, depending on usage,) my guys are instructed to take the vehicle to Transport Services straight away to have the batteries checked and topped-up, I have a feeling the batteries in my newer vehicles may last somewhat longer as a result!

Bear in mind also that the ‘sealed-for-life’ heavy-duty vehicle battery in modern cars is actually only guaranteed for 5 years!

Feel free to forward this to Lucy at Luton if appropriate.

Cheers,

Think you need to get new batteries...ours last for 8-12 years apparently!!!  (If we're talking about the same thing!!)

Julia

From: Skidmore, Steve
Sent: Wednesday 03 August 2011 11:50
To: Shepherd, Julia
Subject: RE: Mobile library batteries

Hi Julia

I presume you are asking about the main traction batteries for the mobile libraries

On a day to day basis the traction batteries last a minimum of 10hrs winter and 16hrs summer operation without requiring a recharge

If that is not the case re your enquiry would recommend firstly checking power usage, ( are they running additional power hungry equipment through the 240 volt inverter, for ex hoover, microwave, additional heating/cooling fans etc)

If the problem is not there have the maintenance guys call in the supplier to check the batteries output rating (amps) against use requirements (they may just be to small for the power drain) and failing that check them for damaged cells, the circuits and the installation

I would expect them to continue to provide adequate service levels during a minimum of life span 8 years if properly maintained, virtually all of ours have lasted the service life of the Mobile (12 yrs)

Main causes for them not lasting are lack of maintenance (not having them checked at inspection/servicing for water levels) or allowing them to totally discharge (go flat) on several occasions

Hope that helps

Regards

SteveS

From: Shepherd, Julia
Sent: Wednesday 03 August 2011 10:55
To: Skidmore, Steve
Subject: FW: Mobile library batteries

Hi Steve

Do you know how long your batteries last?

Julia

From: Karen Newton [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday 02 August 2011 15:49
To: [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]; Strange, Anna; [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]; Jon Davis; Shepherd, Julia; [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]; [log in to unmask]
Subject: FW: Mobile library batteries

Can anyone help with the below?

Karen

Hi All,

I hope you can answer this question! How long do your batteries last? I refer to the main battery-supplied power source. Ours have just lasted 18 months and we are wondering whether this is a standard length of time or whether our batteries are little insipid!!

Thanks

Lucy

Lucy Cross

Information and E-Delivery Services Manager, Luton Culture

Luton Central Library

St Georges Square

LUTON

LU1 2NG

Tel: 01582 547439

E-mail: [log in to unmask]

www.lutonculture.com

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