[AT] desulphating battery chargers

[Robert L. Holtzer]

Been following the various battery discussions.  Interesting.  One thing I 
would note is that battery electrolyte that has been in the battery for any 
significant length of time may contain dissolved lead.  I know of one site 
in California that reclaimed battery lead -- over the years they dumped the 
battery acid in the back yard.  This resulted in substantial contamination 
of the soil and groundwater.  Admittedly this would be a far cry from a 
tractor battery or two.  However, even small volumes of used battery acid 
may be considered a hazardous waste depending on your local 
regulations.  Disposing in the sewer is generally a no-no also.  Please 
check with your local hazmat folks to avoid possible costs of fines, 
cleanup, etc.  Hazmat may have a local disposal place for the acid.

Bob Holtzer

At 02:53 PM 7/18/2004 -0400, you wrote:
>_http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq16.htm_
>(http://www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq16.htm)
>
>16.3. How do I recover sulfated batteries?
>Here are three methods to  try to recover permanently sulfated batteries:
>16.3.1. Light  Sulfation
>Check the electrolyte levels and apply a constant current at 2% of  the
>battery's RC or 1% of the AH capacity rating for 48 to 120 hours at 14.4 
>VDC  or
>more, depending on the electrolyte temperature and capacity of the battery.
>Cycle (discharge to 50% and recharge) the battery a couple of times and 
>test its
>capacity. You might have to increase the voltage in order to break down the
>hard  lead sulfate crystals. If the battery gets above 125° F (51.7° C) then
>stop  charging and allow the battery to cool down before continuing.
>16.3.2. Heavy  Sulfation
>Replace the old electrolyte with distilled, deionized or  demineralized
>water, let stand for one hour, apply a constant current at four  amps at 
>13.8 VDC
>until there is no additional rise in specific gravity, remove  the 
>electrolyte,
>wash the sediment out, replace with fresh electrolyte (battery  acid), and
>recharge. If the specific gravity exceeds 1.300, then remove the new
>electrolyte, wash the sediment out, and start over from the beginning 
>with  distilled
>water. You might have to increase the voltage in order to break down  the 
>hard
>lead sulfate crystals. If the battery gets above 125° F (51.7° C) then  stop
>charging and allow the battery to cool down before continuing. 
>Cycle  (discharge
>to 50% and recharge) the battery a couple of times and test capacity.  The
>sulfate crystals are more soluble in water than in electrolyte. As these
>crystals are dissolved, the sulfate is converted back into sulfuric acid 
>and the
>specific gravity rises. This procedure will only work with some  batteries.
>16.3.3. Desulfators
>Use a desulfator also known as a pulse  charger. A list of some of the
>desulfator or pulse charger manufacturers is  available on the Battery 
>References
>Links List at http://www.batteryfaq.org.  Despite manufacturer's claims, some
>battery experts feel that desulfators and  pulse chargers do not work any 
>better
>at removing permanent sulfation than do  constant voltage  chargers.
>------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>------------------------
>I  test my case this is from the experts that make batteries not some shade
>tree  Mech.
>Walt Davies
>Cooper Hollow Farm
>Monmouth, OR 97361
>503  623-0460
>
>
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