Old new battery

L.C.Gray · May 7, 2015

I just acquired another old tractor that was "daddy's tractor" and came out of the barn after 15+ years. The guy said he was going to try to get it running a few years ago and went as far as buying a new battery for it, but never go around to getting it going. So I got a "brand new" battery with a 2008 mfg date on it with the tractor.

What are the chances of bringing this battery back to life and how best to proceed with it?

JMOR · May 7, 2015

(quoted from post at 07:55:57 05/07/15) I just acquired another old tractor that was "daddy's tractor" and came out of the barn after 15+ years. The guy said he was going to try to get it running a few years ago and went as far as buying a new battery for it, but never go around to getting it going. So I got a "brand new" battery with a 2008 mfg date on it with the tractor.

What are the chances of bringing this battery back to life and how best to proceed with it?

would put chances in the slim to none range.

Russ from MN · May 7, 2015

If it has been dead most of the time it's probably junk. Although, we have a JD Strongbox that has been going about 12 years, but its never been dead or even run down.

Blackhole49 · May 7, 2015

There is no such thing as a "brand new 08 battery" that has had acid in it. It would have been better off being used than sitting dead. That said, if it were mine, I would put an ounce or two of hydrogen peroxide in each cell and try slow charging it. With it that dead, it may take several hours before it even starts charging.

ss55 · May 7, 2015

I agree, an unused 2008 battery is still a seven year old battery in 2015, especially if it has not been periodically recharged. Worst case it's a $15 core exchange battery.

I'd try putting a small automatic trickle charger or a motorcycle charger on it for a few days to see if it will even take a charge.

big jt · May 7, 2015

Chances are iffy but what do you have to lose?

First make sure the fluid levels are up. Add distilled water to bring them up.

If you have one get a old school charger. Just put it on lowest rate and let it go for a day or there abouts. Usually it will show very low rate charge when you first hook it up then the charge rate will slowly rise till about the max rate of the charger. The newer computerized chargers won't work at least in my experience.

Battery will not last forever but you might be able to get some use out of it.

jt

Duner Wi · May 7, 2015

I had pretty much the same deal as yours.
New battery stone dead that sat for years .
I hooked it to another battery for a few minutes and then added my low amp charger to the mix.
that battery has been working fine for 5 or so years.

rustyfarmall · May 7, 2015

(quoted from post at 04:55:57 05/07/15) I just acquired another old tractor that was "daddy's tractor" and came out of the barn after 15+ years. The guy said he was going to try to get it running a few years ago and went as far as buying a new battery for it, but never go around to getting it going. So I got a "brand new" battery with a 2008 mfg date on it with the tractor.

What are the chances of bringing this battery back to life and how best to proceed with it?

Put one of those battery maintainers on it. You might just be surprised, and even if it doesn't work, the battery maintainer will come in handy later.

mEl · May 7, 2015

I also would put a battery maintainer on it BUT My mainainer is like the newer chargers, won't charge till it sees voltage. I used an old school charger to activate the maintainer then left the maintainer do the rest. Just a short touch was all it took, battery is fine.

Owen Aaland · May 7, 2015

If you can get it to start to take a charge, expect it to take at lease 100 hours at a low charging rate to bring it back. I've seen some where even after charging for that long will accept more charge after setting for a couple of weeks. Some turn out working fine, others are just good for core exchange.

guido · May 7, 2015

Hello L.C.Grey,

Have you taken a voltage reading? Probably zero. If the battery was discharged and froze you're re done. You can try charging it at the slowest rate that you have,about 2 amps or less. Monitor the voltage, good luck!

Guido.

NoNewParts · May 8, 2015

probably junk
but like said, what do you have to lose.
If it is not shorted or froze cracked.
I have a few lawn tractor, bike batteries that were/are junk.
I parallel them with a good battery and hook the battery
tender or charger on low power to the good battery.
sometimes works. They don't have much power and don't hold a charge but they will start a garden tractor when 'recovered'

Old new battery

L.C.Gray

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JMOR

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Russ from MN

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Blackhole49

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ss55

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big jt

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Duner Wi

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rustyfarmall

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mEl

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Owen Aaland

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guido

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NoNewParts

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