Here we have for auction a 1972 Smiths electric float which
is a piece of motoring history being registered as an historic vehicle. I
believe it to be MOT exempt, tax exempt and congestion charge exempt. This vehicle
is ideally suited for pleasure park, garden centre, advertising, promotions,
collector or indoor use where emissions and noise are an issue as it is almost
silent running. The possibilities are endless. Has good open sided
load carring capacity and rear lockable storage space. It does need a
little attention cosmetically (check photos) but is in full working
order. There is a lot of these still in use in the Gloucester area and so spares should not be a
problem. The batteries are in good condition being charged in January and
still have life now without recharge. In normal regular use overnight
charge is sufficient. Single phase charger supplied with vehicle.
There are two new tyres fitted and the other two are in good condition..There is
an extensive file of service history, maintenance records covering a lot of its
life. It is registered as an historic vehicle and there is a V5 present.
FYI http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Smiths-electric-milk-float-vehicle-carnival-goods_W0QQ itemZ280048465464QQihZ018QQcategoryZ9883QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Here we have for...
I'm tempted to bid for this one. Does any one know anything about this model? Specifically, performance and range. Also, how much electricity does it use to...
Me again, yes I find that worrying too, I want it but he is rather cagey about things, I think it's been an unsuccessful venture for him and is trying to move...
Clive If he's got the proper charger I wonder why he isn't using it. Does this point to charger problems as well? I think I'm going off this float. I'll...
He couldn't use the charger due to it not having a user selectable 'low power mode' that you need if you are going to charge off a normal 13A socket, alas all...
Hi Clive and Mark I rebuilt a Smiths Cabac in 2001 and have used it every day as personal transport since then. The chassis on a cabac is much stronger and...
Hi - Did your batteries fit ok then? just as well as he has being letting intrested people have a go, and says that he 'hasn't had time to charge the batteries...
Hi Clive I had to make new battery boxes, but it was easier and cheaper than standard float cells. Yes the blue one with those wheels which I used to have on a...
Thanks Peter - I hope so! My chassis is pretty rusty, but it looks like mainly surface rust, and the structure still appears sound. That said, I think it...
Hi Mark and Clive Range can be a difficult thing to quantify as there are a lot of variables, but expect about a 30 mile range. Driving conservatively with the...
Hi Gang, Went to see it today, alas I couldn't drive it as the battery was not only dead, it was going open circuit due being driven repeatedly on it's...
Hi Clive It should not cost £300 to wire in a float charger. I have run mine for the past 5 years wired into a cooker switch with a 40 amp circuit breaker. Of...
... Agreed. My garage ring main is fed through a 32A breaker. I simply removed a socket from the wall and replaced it by a 32A socket for the float charger....
Thanks for that! The seller is going to deliver it here Saturday, the state of the battery is an issue, will see how it gows when it gets here. Went out and...
Hi all, I put the sellers photos of the float in the photos section, this is the condition I bought it in, these photos will make an interesting reference to...
... This isn't true if you have a contactor/resistive speed controller. With these, constant foot-to-floor is the most efficient way to drive. Egg-under-foot...
Hi Tim This makes sence and explains why milk floats leaving the depot for their rounds always seem to be driving flat out. I have a pulse width modulator on ...
Peter, Yep, indeed, with a PWM or an SCR controller, egg-under-foot is the best way to drive. I don't think many floats are left with contactor controllers any...
Tim This would explain to some extent why milk floats were traditionally made to go about 20 mph. Effectively with a contactor and resistor controller your...
I've often thought about upping the voltage when the time comes to renew the batteries. I'm just slightly worried about arcing on the contactors, though. They...
Yes you are right, what damages motors is too much speed ,too much current for too long (heating effect), or commentator sparking. More voltage just means you...
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