Is it worth keeping a 10 yr old battery as standby

[PINBALL]

I have a 10 year old medium sized car battery in storage that was only ever used for 3 days life on an exhibition stand & then put into storage under a pile of stuff at back of garage.
Last time I looked at it, it still looked ok without any corrosion around poles/connections.

Is it still woth keeping as a standby?
Is it worth trying to recharge it up again?
Or should I dump it (no doubt acid must have gone weak by now).

Any suggestions please.

Keith.

 

[tom7035]

Acid does not evaporate, only the water content. Add distilled water if required to level then recharge slowly. Its worth a try IMO.

 

[tamrsoft]

It will almost certainly have deteriorated over 10 years if not used. I would charge up as normal and then use a proper discharge tester to see whether there is any capacity left in the battery. When I keep used batteries in storage, usually from my boat over the winter, I put them on a constant trickle charge of about 80-100 mA, this accounts for internal discharging. The rate of internal discharge increases as the battery ages from use.

 

[television]

A battery that has not been used will have no sediment in the bottom to discharge it, was there any voltage at all before charge, try it and see.
though batteries do not fair well when left in a discharged state, this was not the case with this one
Malcolm

 

[Parrot of Doom]

Make sure its slightly warm before you charge it. Frozen batteries can explode.

 

[woodcider]

Does anyone have any experience of using "Bat-aid" tablets. These are manufactured by Granville Oil & Chemicals Ltd., Unit 29, Goldthorpe Industrial Estate, Goldthorpe, Rotherham. S63 9BL. Tel 01709 890099.

They are said to discourage the lead sulphate deposits which form on the battery plates and which will eventually lead to a "duff" battery. ("duff" is my terminology)

I am presently experimenting with a battery removed from my motor mower, (not an MB marque I would add) wouldn't risk it on my SL battery.

Any comments?

regards dougC................

 

[philharve]

Hi woodcider

I've used Bat Aid Pills but not recently. I used them in my Mini. Drop one pill in each cell and await results. Two or more pills per cell is a waste of money.

Bat Aid Pills have been around a few decades and if they were no good I feel they would have disappeared long ago. There must be a market for them and I guess they are purchased by people who don't or can't afford a new battery. They delay the inevitable battery replacement but not by much.

Personally I would rather buy a new battery than take a chance of not being able to start the car. An old battery is still an old battery and the natural aging process cannot be halted indefinitely by additives.

REGARDS Phil

 

[television]

wouldn't risk it on my SL battery.

Any comments?

regards dougC................

Your location is the same as mine, also with an SL

Malcolm

 

[turnipsock]

Lead Acid batteries do not like being totally discharged, however they will hold their charge for a long time. If there is still a reasonable charge then it might be OK.

I think bat aid tablets were to clean up the plates, however most batteries are sealed for life these days, so you can't get them in.

 

[dogsbody]

Is it worth keeping a 10 year old battery as a standby?

err.......... NO!

 

[woodcider]

Your location is the same as mine, also with an SL

Malcolm

Hey, hallo neighbor.....:grin:

 

[woodcider]

Wasn't sure what to expect from the Bat Aids but a bit of fun experimenting. Always nice to know what can/can't be done.

regards dougC.......

 

[Cooky]

If you want to store a battery long term then the way to do it is as follows:

1. Fully charge the battery
2. Turn the battery upside down and empty all the acid into a large plastic drip tray. Put the acid into a plastic or glass bottle, label it and store it safely.
3. Flush out each battery cell with distilled water a couple of times, and throw the water away.
4. Store the battery with the plates dry. When you want to re-use it, simply put the original acid back in, check the specific gravity and re-charge if necessary.

Batteries used to be delivered from the manufacturers in a dry state and the acid was put in by the battery retailer. Probably a long time ago now, but the principle is still valid.

Incidently, flushing out the cells gets rid of the lead oxide sediment that build up in the bottom of the battery - this is what eventually starts to short out the bottom of the plates, thereby reducing the capacity of the battery. It's a useful tip for breathing a bit more life into an older battery.