Replacing a professional floor scrubber battery can immobilize the machine for several days if the wrong part number is chosen. For a fleet of 5 to 30 floor scrubbers (cleaning company, local authority, hotel chain, food processing industry), the annual cost of battery replacement ranges from €3,000 to €25,000 excluding VAT – an expense that warrants an informed decision: which technology to choose (gel, AGM, lithium), what size (voltage and capacity), and above all, which exact part number is compatible with each Numatic, Taski, or Nilfisk model in the fleet.
This guide covers five key decisions: understanding scrubber dryer battery technologies, choosing between gel, AGM, and lithium, sizing based on the machine and its intended use, identifying the compatible part number by brand and model, and charging correctly to maximize battery life. Voussert has specialized in professional hygiene equipment since 1981. Our scrubber dryer battery catalog covers original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) Numatic, Taski (Diversey), Duplex, and Nilfisk, with expert after-sales service across all series. Find our complete range of batteries and chargers for scrubber dryers and professional cleaning equipment, along with compatibility information.
Understanding the 3 technologies: gel, AGM and lithium
Three technologies currently dominate the professional floor scrubber battery market. Each has a different technical signature, lifespan, and cost of use.
The gel battery: the historical standard
Principle: The liquid electrolyte (diluted sulfuric acid) is immobilized in gel form by silica. The casing is completely sealed. Result: no leakage possible even if tipped over, no maintenance required (no need to add distilled water), excellent resistance to deep discharge cycles.
Gel technology is now the de facto standard on Numatic, Taski, and Nilfisk professional floor scrubbers. It has a lifespan of 3 to 5 years in daily commercial use (400 to 800 cycles), with an operating time of 3 to 6 hours depending on the machine and capacity. It is sensitive to overload: a charger specifically designed for gel batteries is required (never a standard lead-acid charger).
The AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) battery
Principle: The electrolyte is absorbed by a fiberglass mat between the plates. Like gel, it's sealed and maintenance-free, but with a different internal structure. Less expensive than gel with equivalent capacity, it offers better resistance to high discharge currents (start-up, power surges). Ideal for floor scrubbers with additional electrical attachments.
Lifespan of 3 to 4 years in commercial use, autonomy slightly less than gel batteries of equivalent capacity (5 to 10%). Market: Nilfisk notably offers the Spiracel 12V 55Ah AGM (reference 9100001664), which equips SC351 floor scrubbers and equivalent models.
Lithium batteries (Li-ion, LiFePO4): the new standard
Principle: groundbreaking electrochemical technology, featured in the latest floor scrubber models. Energy density 3 to 4 times greater than gel/AGM at equivalent weight, no charge memory, deep discharge tolerance up to 90% (vs. 50% for gel). Initial investment 2 to 3 times higher, but amortized over its lifespan.
Lifespan of 8 to 10 years in tertiary use (2,000 to 3,000 cycles), autonomy 30 to 50% greater than equivalent gel capacity, charging time divided by 2 to 3. See our /lithium-battery category for references compatible with the latest models.
Today, the majority of manufacturers of floor scrubbers and professional vacuum cleaners are switching to lithium battery power. This is now the primary configuration, even for small appliances such as stick vacuums, mini floor scrubbers, and large ride-on floor scrubbers.
Summary comparison of the 3 technologies
| Criteria | Freeze | AGM | Lithium |
| Indicative price 100 Ah | €400 to €1100 excluding VAT | €300 to €800 excluding VAT | €1200 to €2800 excluding VAT |
| Lifetime | 3 to 5 years (400 - 800 cycles) | 3 to 4 years (300-600 cycles) | 8 to 10 years (2000-3000 cycles) |
| Interview | None | None | None |
| Relative autonomy | 100% | 90-95% | 130-150% |
| Deep discharge | 50% max recommended | 50-60% max | 80-90% accepted |
| Charging time | 6-8 hours full | 6-8 hours full | 2-4 hours complete |
| Relative weight 100 Ah | 30 kg | 28 kg | 10 kg |
| Recommended use | Daily tertiary standard | Machines with electrical accessories | Heavy usage, fleet renewal |
How to choose between gel, AGM and lithium
For an existing fleet equipped with gel batteries: retain the gel battery for replacement with the same model, unless a complete machine replacement is required (in which case, consider the lithium option as a base). For a fleet undergoing replacement: evaluate switching to lithium if you use the machines 6-8 hours/day or if you are looking to reduce charging times with a 2x8 shift pattern (morning + evening). For Nilfisk SC351 and equivalent scrubber-dryers already equipped with AGM batteries: retain the AGM technology for replacement (charger compatibility).
Voltage, capacity and cycles: the sizing trio
Three technical parameters determine the correct battery. An error in any of the three renders the installation unusable or destroys the machine. Battery installation on a floor scrubber, whether lithium or gel, should be carried out by a trained person, ideally a technician from the manufacturer or distributor. If you are responsible for this replacement, here are some guidelines that can save your floor scrubber's life.
Tension: never negotiable
The battery's nominal voltage must exactly match that required by the floor scrubber—indicated on the machine's nameplate and usually mentioned in the manual. Three standard voltages are used in the professional market:
- 12V: Compact canister scrubber dryers (Taski Swingo 350 B, Nilfisk SC351, Numatic compact models). One battery only.
- 24V: Intermediate canister scrubber-dryers and small ride-on scrubber-dryers (Numatic TTB1840, TGB3045, HGB3045, Taski Swingo 750, Combimat 1100). Two 12V batteries in series. New Taski Swingo XP ride-on scrubber-dryers in 24 volts.
- 36V: ride-on and industrial floor scrubbers (older Taski Combimat 1400-1900 models). Three 12V batteries in series.
A 12V battery connected to a 24V machine will not start. A 24V battery connected to a 12V machine will fry the machine in seconds. Check three times before installation.
Capacity (Ah): autonomy and cycles
The amp-hour (Ah) capacity determines the machine's operating time before recharging. A practical rule for gel/AGM batteries: usable capacity should be approximately 50% of the nominal capacity (beyond this, the battery will undergo deep discharge, which damages it).
Example: A 100 Ah gel battery provides 50 Ah of usable power under normal use. On a floor scrubber drawing 15 A under normal operating conditions, this equates to 50 / 15 = 3.3 hours of effective runtime. With a lithium battery, the usable capacity is 80-90% (providing 4.5 to 5 hours of runtime on the same machine with a 100 Ah lithium battery).
Life cycles: the true measure of wear and tear
A "cycle" = a discharge followed by a recharge. A gel battery for a floor scrubber lasts 400 to 800 cycles depending on the depth of discharge applied. At 400 cycles, with 1 cycle per working day = 400/220 ˜ 1.8 years. At 800 cycles = 3.6 years. The difference is due to 3 factors: adherence to the depth of discharge (< 50%), charger quality, and operating temperature (ideally 15-25°C).
How to charge and maintain your gel battery
Charging is the number one factor in battery lifespan. A fully charged gel battery can last up to 800 cycles. A poorly charged battery drops to 200-300 cycles. That's a difference of three times less lifespan.
Use a charger suitable for gel type
Gel batteries require a specific charging profile (IUoU curve or similar, end-of-charge voltage of 14.1V for a 12V battery, never 14.4V like a conventional lead-acid charger). Using a lead-acid charger on a gel battery will cause overcharging that destroys the battery in 6-12 months.
Numatic, Taski, and Nilfisk professional floor scrubbers are generally supplied with an integrated or companion charger compatible with their original battery technology. If you change battery technology (gel to AGM or gel to lithium), check and replace the charger as well, if necessary. See /battery-charger.
Charge after each use
An absolute rule: connect the charger after each use cycle, even if the discharge is only partial. Gel batteries do not have a memory effect, unlike some other technologies. Leaving a battery discharged for 24 to 72 hours will cause irreversible sulfate damage, resulting in a loss of 20 to 50% of its usable capacity.
Avoid deep discharge
Never discharge a gel battery below 50% of its nominal capacity. Modern floor scrubbers have a battery level indicator: when the indicator turns red, stop the machine and connect the charger. A single discharge to 20% reduces the battery's lifespan by 50 to 100 cycles.
Extended storage
If the machine is stored for more than 15 days (summer period, off-season), remove the batteries fully charged, store them in a dry place between 5 and 25°C, and perform a maintenance charge every 2 to 3 months. A gel battery left discharged for 6 months is unrecoverable.
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