Hi
I have 'accumulated' a couple of 12V dead lead acid batteries from rechargeable lanterns and from a UPS. They are rated from 1.3a/h to 7a/h.
One of these had a corroded off negative terminal which I succesfully repaired today by chipping out the surrounding epoxy and re-attaching a similar terminal by selftapper and re-filling with epoxy again.
I took the top plates off and removed the rubber caps on each cell of three of these batteries and found them completely dry and the cells sulphated, if that's the correct terminology.
I filled all the cells with distilled water, replaced the cell caps and put them on slow charge with a charger which I bought for one of these batteries.
I realise a full charge may take several days on each and since I haven't used the charger for several years, I checked its output which is 11.7V @a/h?
Before these procedures, I checked the capacity of each battery and got dc readings of 5.7V, 7.7V etc which was insufficient to light a 12V bulb or even a 4.5 or 6V lightbulb.
After several hours on charge, the capacity has increased to around 9.5V with still no capability to power any dc lightbulb.
Before I dispose of these batteries, is there any method with which to resuscitate them for further use? Long ago, some auto accessory stores used to sell a concoction which they claimed, could be used to revive this type of battery. As far as I know, none of these batteries have shorted-out cells but how can I test for this condition?
Thanks for your advice and attention.
bulgin
I have 'accumulated' a couple of 12V dead lead acid batteries from rechargeable lanterns and from a UPS. They are rated from 1.3a/h to 7a/h.
One of these had a corroded off negative terminal which I succesfully repaired today by chipping out the surrounding epoxy and re-attaching a similar terminal by selftapper and re-filling with epoxy again.
I took the top plates off and removed the rubber caps on each cell of three of these batteries and found them completely dry and the cells sulphated, if that's the correct terminology.
I filled all the cells with distilled water, replaced the cell caps and put them on slow charge with a charger which I bought for one of these batteries.
I realise a full charge may take several days on each and since I haven't used the charger for several years, I checked its output which is 11.7V @a/h?
Before these procedures, I checked the capacity of each battery and got dc readings of 5.7V, 7.7V etc which was insufficient to light a 12V bulb or even a 4.5 or 6V lightbulb.
After several hours on charge, the capacity has increased to around 9.5V with still no capability to power any dc lightbulb.
Before I dispose of these batteries, is there any method with which to resuscitate them for further use? Long ago, some auto accessory stores used to sell a concoction which they claimed, could be used to revive this type of battery. As far as I know, none of these batteries have shorted-out cells but how can I test for this condition?
Thanks for your advice and attention.
bulgin
Some steps to look at
Hi bulgin!
You may start with the charger. If it is really giving you the 11.7 volts you show it is your first problem. A 12 volt battery usually charges at 13.5 volts dc.
There are de-sulphating circuits that I have collected if you are interested. Just drop me a line and I'd be happy to send you a copy if your game on making one up.
Mark
Hi bulgin!
You may start with the charger. If it is really giving you the 11.7 volts you show it is your first problem. A 12 volt battery usually charges at 13.5 volts dc.
There are de-sulphating circuits that I have collected if you are interested. Just drop me a line and I'd be happy to send you a copy if your game on making one up.
Mark
First Aid for
Hi Mark
Thanks for your attention. You're right. I checked the output of the built-in chargers of two lanterns from which two of these small batteries came and it shows 13.5V on both. The small charger I'm using now (which has had little effect) was bought years ago as a charger for one of these batteries. I never checked its output or charging rate as I assumed the counter salesman knew what he was selling me - often a very wrong assumption!
I also have a car battery charger for 6V or 12V car batteries rated @ 4A which I have used for years successfully but thought this equipment would not be suitable due to the small size of the batteries I want to re-charge now.
Then, I have a bench powersupply with digital volt and amp display where I can set what's needed accurately. I think this equipment is rated @30V 5ampere. Will this equipment be suitable to use?
I would be interested in your de-sulphating method as it seems a waste to dump these batteries.
Thank you for your kind assistance.
bulgin
Hi Mark
Thanks for your attention. You're right. I checked the output of the built-in chargers of two lanterns from which two of these small batteries came and it shows 13.5V on both. The small charger I'm using now (which has had little effect) was bought years ago as a charger for one of these batteries. I never checked its output or charging rate as I assumed the counter salesman knew what he was selling me - often a very wrong assumption!
I also have a car battery charger for 6V or 12V car batteries rated @ 4A which I have used for years successfully but thought this equipment would not be suitable due to the small size of the batteries I want to re-charge now.
Then, I have a bench powersupply with digital volt and amp display where I can set what's needed accurately. I think this equipment is rated @30V 5ampere. Will this equipment be suitable to use?
I would be interested in your de-sulphating method as it seems a waste to dump these batteries.
Thank you for your kind assistance.
bulgin
I was told once that by using an Arc Welder to short the terminals for a few seconds of a lead acid battery it can refresh it, something to do with removing the crystals from the lead plates? This sound dangerous to me so I don't recommend it, I only mention it as it was interesting and maybe somebody can dispel or verify this..
I have no idea if this is true or works, do some research and see what you can come up with.
I have no idea if this is true or works, do some research and see what you can come up with.
First Aid for
Hi
Thanks for your kind replies. I did some searches and came across both the arc welder thing and various circuits for pulse re-generation but the former has unacceptable risk and I'm not convinced about the latter. The charger I've been using has a pot so I adjusted the output to 13.5V but this still didn't help as these batteries are beyond salvage. Yes, lead is recyclable here too. Heck, they even saw off lamppoles in my neck o' the woods
On my next trip to where the scrapdealers are, I'll just take the dead ones along.
bulgin
Hi
Thanks for your kind replies. I did some searches and came across both the arc welder thing and various circuits for pulse re-generation but the former has unacceptable risk and I'm not convinced about the latter. The charger I've been using has a pot so I adjusted the output to 13.5V but this still didn't help as these batteries are beyond salvage. Yes, lead is recyclable here too. Heck, they even saw off lamppoles in my neck o' the woods
On my next trip to where the scrapdealers are, I'll just take the dead ones along.
bulgin
Try this link,
I tried this method but it didn't work on my WAY past dead batteries. But Epsoms salts work on recharging a lead acid battery.
http://www.ysuusy.com/YSUUSY_BATT1.html
Ron
I tried this method but it didn't work on my WAY past dead batteries. But Epsoms salts work on recharging a lead acid battery.
http://www.ysuusy.com/YSUUSY_BATT1.html
Ron
I looked into this a while back, and had no great success.
If it battery gets one weak cell, the battery as a whole just won't deliver any subtantial current anymore, and to recharge only one cell is impossible in MOST batteries.
Shorting the battery is likely to damage it further - as the high current heats up the plates, causing them to warp and shed the porous lead sulphate that makes up the electrode.
Battery acid is a key constituent in local illegaly brewed "beer", so there's a market for this stuff!
If it battery gets one weak cell, the battery as a whole just won't deliver any subtantial current anymore, and to recharge only one cell is impossible in MOST batteries.
Shorting the battery is likely to damage it further - as the high current heats up the plates, causing them to warp and shed the porous lead sulphate that makes up the electrode.
Battery acid is a key constituent in local illegaly brewed "beer", so there's a market for this stuff!
Steerpike said:
I think the stuff is pretty cheap on its own, There has to be lead taint comming out of a battery.
BTW automotive batteries are designed to have too little structure on the plates when totally discharged anyway. Solar off-grid batteries (golf cart, phone closet) are designed with plate material left after deep discharge, more expensive too.
That beer is ROT GUT!
So....someone uses ACID that has been immersed in LEAD in the process to make beer for consumption? That person probably won't be hurt too much because they obviously already lack the brain cells to think this one out, so a little lead poisoning wouldn't lower their IQ much further........might as well make some lead paint chip sandwiches to go with it, eh?
So....someone uses ACID that has been immersed in LEAD in the process to make beer for consumption? That person probably won't be hurt too much because they obviously already lack the brain cells to think this one out,
so a little lead poisoning wouldn't lower their IQ much further........might as well make some lead paint chip sandwiches to go with it, eh?
Re: beer of low pH
There was a TV documentary on it only a week ago. The reporters took it to a lab to get it analysed, and yes, plenty of lead in it too.
The weird thing is, the kinds of people who buy it will NOT accept that it is harmful. They seem to think that there is some conspiracy to do them out of a cheap and quality product.
When they are told that X number of people died from it, their response was: People who drink tea also die, so what's your point?
There was a TV documentary on it only a week ago. The reporters took it to a lab to get it analysed, and yes, plenty of lead in it too.
The weird thing is, the kinds of people who buy it will NOT accept that it is harmful. They seem to think that there is some conspiracy to do them out of a cheap and quality product.
When they are told that X number of people died from it, their response was: People who drink tea also die, so what's your point?
Steerpike said:
Yeah well, consuming lead tainted products probably won't aid much in their ignorance, but if they took a high school chemistry class and paid a wee bit of attention, they would know that lead as other metals, will dissolve in an acid.
I suppose these are the same people who drink absynth.
I may be mistaken, but doesn't absynth contain wormwood extracts?
Now if you have a tapeworm or a buggin' parasite, absynth might do you some good.
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Personally, I think many Americans could benefit from a tapeworm.
Of course I doubt the tapeworm could hang on very long wrt to all the cheeseburgers and garbage these people cram down their gullets on a daily basis.- Status
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