Date: Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:56:01 -0700
Reply-To: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Reconditioned Battery Opinions?
In-Reply-To: <c4e7c5f90908191100x2224e9b7ja2cec2e95438f6e3@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
What they likely do to 'recondition' a battery is to 'de-sulfate' the
inside. I am no scientist but I did some research at one time after
wrecking a couple of expensive deep cycle batteries by running them totally
flat and letting them stay that way for a while. (trying to refridgerate,
for extended camping, using a 12v fridge)
It's my understanding that in a totally discharged state there is some
type of electrolysis that goes on inside the battery...the electrolyte
inside is no longer acid, in a totally discharged state, it becomes some
other stuff and can "rust" (not the proper term, but similar to what happens
to iron and water) the plates inside the battery. It forms a surface
(similar to rust) on the batterie's plates. With this coating on the plates
there is no longer an effective transfer of electrons (take and give a
charge). The stuff that inhibits the transfer of eletctons is Sulfate (of
some sort) and it can be 'removed' using some other gnarly chemicals that
are probably not sold to the public any more..
Might be worthwhile trying a deep cycle reconditioned battery rather than
buying a 'disposable' new one mainly for the warrantee and planning one
'sleazing a replacment' when you wreck it.
I just had to replace my aux battery, a napa 42, bought in sept. '07. I
was going to take it to recycle but I just checked and it has a "65-month
Nationwide Guarantee"..So I guess I will check with NAPA and see what that
is worth.. Two years of service including 4 month per winter living out of
my van, that seems a reasonable value.
Don Hanson
On Wed, Aug 19, 2009 at 11:00 AM, neil N <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi all.
>
> Didn't find anything directly relevant in the archives under
> "reconditioned battery" or "used battery" so....
>
> Anyone installed a reconditioned battery (flooded lead acid starter or
> ? type) for use as an aux battery?
>
> Opinions?
>
> I asked one local company what they actually did to recondition them.
> My *rough* understanding is that they get "new" batteries that may
> have been incorrectly charged, or ? by PO, or they find near new
> batteries that have only been used a short time. They then bring these
> batteries back to life. (albeit a shorter one I"m sure)
>
> I understand it's like only a ~ $50 difference between used and new
> WallMert battery, but I figure a gamble might be worth it. Besides if
> it works, you *know* I'll report my findings back to the list!
>
> Thanks!
>
> Neil.
>
>
> --
> Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"
>
> http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>
>
> http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines
>
| 
