Batteries Toast?

[Brian Graham]

There's a large set of batteries used for Emerg Power only which were top quality and very well maintained - until 3 years ago. Then absolutely nothing.

I'm presuming that even with a low self-discharge rate, they would have hit 100 DOD at least a year and a half ago and the plates in them are now sulfated beyond any value.

Do you concur?

 

[Brian Graham]

No real feedback on this, so obviously the masses concur. Too bad, too. I had the opportunity to aquire 1/2 of a 20,000 ah battery bank. Well maintained and barely used - until they ceased maintenance 3 years ago..

<sigh>

One _could_ try charging them. They _might_ still work, at a reduced capacity.

But would you rent a truck, drive 6 hours, load 5 tons of batteries, drive 6 hours home, unload 5 tons of batteries, and then recharge 100 batteries - from the mains so you don't toast known good batteries. And if they are toast as expected, you get to rent a truck again, load 5 tons again, unload 5 tons again at a landfill 2 hours away - and pay for the disposal.

Doesn't sound like a percentage move to me!

On the other hand, if you're interested in buying some of these, let me know! Just $20 each. Come get 'em!
--
Brian

There's a large set of batteries used for Emerg Power only which were top quality and very well maintained - until 3 years ago. Then absolutely nothing.

I'm presuming that even with a low self-discharge rate, they would have hit 100 DOD at least a year and a half ago and the plates in them are now sulfated beyond any value.

Do you concur?

 

[Bill Kaszeta / Photovoltaic Resources]

Agree except that you can't take lead-acid batteries to a landfill (at least
in the US). But you can take them to a recycling center that will pay you
something for them.

daestrom

Spent batteries have value these days due to the historic high lead prices
and worldwide lead shortage. If these are where they can be easily loaded
on a truck, 5 tons has a value of at least $500 US.

Cost of new batteries has increased about 40% so far this year.

Bill Kaszeta
Photovoltaic Resources Int'l
Tempe Arizona USA
[email protected]

 

[Terryc]

There's a large set of batteries used for Emerg Power only which were top quality and
very well maintained - until 3 years ago. Then absolutely nothing.

I'm presuming that even with a low self-discharge rate, they would have hit 100 DOD at
least a year and a half ago and the plates in
them are now sulfated beyond any value.

Do you concur?

If they have been on a trickle charger the whole time, they are probably
dry (refill), but you will have reduced capacity. Not sure ofthe value
of the various de-sulphation devices as no one has put their gonads
really on the line over them.

If they haven'ttry chargeing them up and discharging to capacity a few
times.

You didn't spec type.

P.s. not well maintained if they have been that way for 18 months.