Curly. My comiserations to your brother in law.
Nims…I would say…as large as you can get. 5000 mAhr I think may be largest: for MAX running time.
BUT depends on your pocket…two smaller capacity batteries may add up to less money for your mA than one large capacity. BUT 12V nims are not common..unlike 7.2v ones which come fairly cheap.Or split the difference and go for slightly less capacity but two packs for a slightly larger spend. Nothing like having just one run and having to pack up.
Ashley