Re: Are batteries that won't hold charge salvageable?

Posted by Mark - IN. on December 20, 2009 at 07:08:44 from (64.12.116.74):

In Reply to: Are batteries that won't hold charge salvageable? posted by Zachary Hoyt on December 19, 2009 at 12:40:38:

Wet cell batteries, like for instance in tractors, cars, and trucks are not in theory considered toxic waste, because in theory, when one goes bad, the core gets shipped back to a smeltery where the acid or electrolyte is drained, and then the lead plates melted down, waste removed and good lead reused.

As a kid growing up through some tough economic times decades back for many, I recall a few times during the winter months when some down and out folks would bring their failed batteries into the parts store that I worked at with whatever pennies they could scrape together that still didn't add up to the cost of a lower end battery, and a few times I was able to find a core in similar shape to what it sounds like your battery is in already setting in the back waiting for return, and drain the electrolyte, filled with distilled water and dish soap like Dawn or the sort, and then toss on a charger until was bubbling up, drian that, refill with distilled water to rinse that off the plates, drain that and fill with new electrolyte, charge, and then trade them their core for that core and get them through at least the winter for the cost of new electrolyte, which was pennies until they could scrape together the cost of a replacement. That process seemed to adequately nuetralize whatever buildup was on the plates in the jar and I never had one blowup.

Then again, a year or so ago, I had a battery low on electrolyte and added new electrolyte to the existing electrolyte and smoked that battery. That wasn't a smart thing to do. It wasn't in a piece of equipment, but got so hot to the touch just setting idle that it was toast. Do not add new electrolyte to old discharged electrolyte or directly to an empty battery just setting, they don't mix. I had a fella from a large battery manufacturer, one of the largest tell a class that I sat in, that the proper way to store a wet cell battery is to first charge the battery, then drain its electrolyte into a clean glass jar, and then refill it for use with that same exact electrolyte that was removed from it when going to place it into service, not to mix the electrolyte with any other, and not to put the wrong electrolyte into a battery that it did NOT come from. I proved him correct on putting electrolyte into a battery that it didn't come from when I did and smoked it.

Its entirely possible and probable that your electrolyte went into a reversal whereas it will never hold a charge and will continuously discharge forever. If you can afford a replacement battery, that's the way that I would go. If you can't, well...

Good luck.

Mark

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