The Types of Batteries Found in Floor Sweepers and Scrubbers

Flooded lead acid batteries 

Flooded Lead-Acid batteries are the most common variety of lead-acid batteries found in battery powered commercial floor scrubbers You’ll need to have the right amount of water (distilled water) in these batteries to keep them functioning correctly. This means periodic maintenance (every 1-2 weeks depending on usage) is required which also means you'll need to have dedicated employee(s) assigned to this task in order to minimize damage to the batteries due to operator misuse and neglect. 

Flooded lead-acid batteries generally last 2 to 5 years, but with improper training, the life cycle can be much shorter. The cost can vary widely, but these typically start at around $175.

Pros

Since these are the most common kind of batteries, they’re also the most readily available and cheapest upfront to replace when the time comes. These also provide end users with the longest possible runtime on a single charge.

Cons

Because these batteries need a specific amount of fluid in them to operate properly, you’ll need to be comfortable maintaining your battery system every 1-2 weeks depending on your usage. They also can be impacted by extreme hot or cold temperature conditions. 

Gel Batteries

The next step up in lead-acid battery types is the gel battery, generally found in commercial sweepers Gel batteries suspend their lead plates inside a thicker gel instead of a liquid. These generally last 18-24 months, but we have seen these last less than a few months due to improper operator training as well as operator neglect. The cost can vary widely, but these typically start at around $225.

Pros

Gel batteries don’t require any regular maintenance, and you don’t have to worry about fluid leaking out as with flooded batteries. Because of this, they do not need to be installed upright. They also work well in high temperatures, unlike other types of lead-acid batteries. This makes them commonly used in special use cases or as high temperature starting batteries for engines. 

Cons

Gel batteries need more care when charging to make sure they’re not damaged. They require a particular type of charge controller and need slower charging cycles at lower voltages. All of this means an increased cost to the overall system beyond just the price of your batteries. Like other lead-acid types, deep discharges and fast recharge are not great for these batteries.

AGM Batteries

AGM, stands for absorbent glass mat technology which is also a type of sealed lead acid battery.  In this type of battery, the lead plates sit between fiberglass saturated electrolyte mats. This allows for increased efficiency in discharging and recharging.

AGM batteries are mainly used in battery powered carpet extractors like Karcher's Chariot 3 iExtract to avoid potential leaks and spills of acid onto carpeted areas. These types of batteries are also popular in facilities that use battery powered floor sweepers and scrubbers on single shifts.

AGM batteries generally last 18-24 months, but we have seen these last less than a few months due to improper operator training as well as operator neglect. The cost can vary widely, but these typically start at or around $300.

Pros

AGM batteries don’t require any regular maintenance, are leak-free, and work well in most temperatures. They also don’t require the special charging equipment and care needed with Gel batteries and tend to have a longer lifespan.

Cons

These additional benefits come at a cost. AGM batteries can be significantly more expensive than lead-acid or gel batteries with similar capacities. The cost can vary widely, but these typically start at around $300.