Simple battery upgrade?

[hotponyshoes]

I've got a piece of kit using these old style of rechargable batteries


The actual battery in mine is a 12v 3.2ah gel type.
I've seen a modest upgrade to a 3.4ah by switching to lead acid but surely there must be a higher capacity modern equivalent?

It could be smaller but no bigger.

It's plugged in via a flying lead on the battery so the terminal type is not really an issue,

Is there something that I could use as a direct replacement, ie, use the same charger etc?

 

[m_c]

<pedant mode>Gel is lead acid </pedant mode>

You're probably wanting something like LiFePo4 with built in BMS.

 

[julianthegypsy]

<pedant mode>Gel is lead acid </pedant mode>

You're probably wanting something like LiFePo4 with built in BMS.

What's BMS?

 

[Fintray]

What's BMS?

Battery Management System.

 

[dan.taylor.1]

Battery management system, stops it over charging etc

 

[hotponyshoes]

I've had a quick look at lifepo4 battries,
They mostly seem to say they require a dedicated charger, ie not the ones I am currently using.

Is there a particular type of bms that would work with a regular/float charger?

 

[m_c]

You get ones that are aimed as direct drop in replacements for vehicle batteries, however the built in BMS should prevent over-charging.
I suspect the bigger issue might be under-charging, as they do require a good 14V to fully charge, so if you're using a basic float charger, they might not get charged that much.

A quick search of Amazon turns up things like this - https://www.amazon.co.uk/RoyPow-Phosphate-Rechargeable-Replacement-Scooters/dp/B08S74VW95/

I did come across a seller of direct replacements for vehicles/motorbikes/lawnmowers a while ago, but I can't remember who it was.