Acorn 130 stairlift how to charge batteries when not on rail

[quintain]

I need to long term store a Acorn 130 stairlift carriage with internal batteries that is removed from the rail.
The carriage normally picks up electrical charge to the 2 x 13v sealed batteries via 2 x contacts normally acting on 2 x charging points on the rail; one at the rail top and the other at the rail bottom.
The 2 x carriage contacts to the rail charging points are readily seen by a brown and also blue lead.
Would the charging setup work, with the carriage off the rail, if I connected the dedicated charger from the mains via the stepdown to the brown & blue leads i.e. cutting the leads and putting in suitable connecting point/s.

 

[timhoward]

They are not particularly special 12v 7AH batteries. The batteries can be removed.
From the service manual
"Pull the seat straight up out of the way, there are two screws at the back that need loosening (you will probably want a stubby screwdriver for this as there is not a lot of room) and one at the front over the footplate that needs removing.

You then have four screws holding the plastic flexible cover under the seat, thereafter it's just a matter of gently working the cover off. as it could quite easily be damaged some care should be taken, this will expose the battery compartment."

Personally I'd remove them and connect each of them to a 12v trickle charger. I wouldn't start cutting manufacturer wiring.

 

[quintain]

Tim thank you
That's something I had not even considered and it sounds a good option.
You say a trickle charger is that something I can look at on Ebay, are they at reasonable (low) cost level.
I am also assuming connect the trickle charger to the 2 x batteries and leave it switched on long term. i.e 2 x batteries connect one negative to the other positive and then connect the charger to the remaining positive and negative???
Do I set the charger for 12v or 24v???
I will wait to see if any one else replies with other thoughts but your idea is definitely a way forward.

Again thanks
quintain (AKA Richard)

 

[timhoward]

The stair lift uses the two batteries in series as a 24v supply. They could be trickle charged independently at 12v each or as a pair at 24v.
By the way I'd guess that generic replacement batteries could be obtained for under £50 so any expenditure on keeping them charged should be limited.
Depending on the length of anticipated storage it might be more cost effective to just get new batteries when it goes back into service.
(Very similar batteries are used in fire alarm systems and they tend to get replaced every 2-3 years depending on test results.)

 

[quintain]

The stair lift uses the two batteries in series as a 24v supply. They could be trickle charged independently at 12v each or as a pair at 24v.
By the way I'd guess that generic replacement batteries could be obtained for under £50 so any expenditure on keeping them charged should be limited.
Depending on the length of anticipated storage it might be more cost effective to just get new batteries when it goes back into service.
(Very similar batteries are used in fire alarm systems and they tend to get replaced every 2-3 years depending on test results.)

Hi Tim would the following from Ebay be suitable for a 2 x 12v in series (24v) trickle charger left on continuously..https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/385045991662?hash=item59a68790ee:g:TagAAOSwD3Bi7gsI

 

[Lucien Nunes]

IMO we should be talking about a float charger i.e. one that outputs a constant voltage, rather than a trickle-charger. Or better still, a multi-step charger, which does various things in sequence to charge faster without overcharging.

But I agree with @timhoward that unless the batteries are fairly new and in good condition, and/or they are not going to spend much time in storage, there is some sense in replacing them on re-installation.

 

[timhoward]

Thanks @Lucien Nunes a float charger is what I really meant.
A couple of these would do it:

Lead Acid Battery Charger | 2/6/12V 600mA : Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

Shop Lead Acid Battery Charger | 2/6/12V 600mA. Free delivery on eligible orders of £20 or more.

www.amazon.co.uk

Disconnecting the batteries and replacing them seems to make increasing sense to me as in most typical scenarios the duration of storage isn’t known in advance.