Jump to content

alum batteries

jenlyn

By jenlyn
in Boat Equipment

 Share

Featured Posts

cuthound Veteran II

cuthoundDonate to Canal World

Posted
Posted

Best way to establish actual battery capacity is to test its capacity by charging it fully, connecting a known load and seeing how long it last. Then add the alum and repeat the charging and discharging process.

 

Testers use stored "maps" to calculate CCA and how long a battery should last, none of which are entirely accurate.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 2 weeks later...
Afloat Engager

AfloatDonate to Canal World

Posted
Posted

This thread has gone well flat blush.png .... any updates peterboat ?

 

 

 

Thank you, Afloat for a long, well composed and enjoyable read. Theoretical science is useful but it must be backed up by experiment. Every Physicist and Engineer would want to test the results including an analysis of the resultant electrolyte. I thought you may be posting from USA as you refer to sulfuric acid whilst we spell it sulphuric; OTOH you use aluminium, not the old version, aluminum as preferred in the USA.

 

Tony, whilst incorrectly calibrated test equipment cannot predict the total capacity of a battery or its CCA the measurements do show a relative improvement after the electrolyte change. As implied above, a similar or better result may be obtained by flushing a lead-acid battery and filling it with clean acid.

 

Maffi, this is not a dry cell, it is rechargeable. I fail to understand where you got that figure of 1.2V; typical for NiMh, LiIon etc. but a lead-acid cell is ~2V and 'dry', Leclanche cell ~1.5V.

 

There are additives that claim to 'revive' lead-acid batteries and rumors that major battery manufacturers include the same in their battery electrolyte.

 

I am still sceptical.

 

Alan ('O' level Chemistry grade 'F', Fail).

 

The only well composed bit from me was "Cut and pasted", the rest was .. cut and pasted!!! The post came from across the pond, not me :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
jenlyn Veteran II

jenlyn

Posted
  • Author
Posted

This thread has gone well flat blush.png .... any updates peterboat ?

 

 

 

 

The only well composed bit from me was "Cut and pasted", the rest was .. cut and pasted!!! The post came from across the pond, not me smile.png

Mine are still running the fridge freezer ok, just from being charged by the panel.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
sjc Engager

sjc

Posted
Posted

All that seems to have been done here is to replace the old acid with a new one. The battery still remains a lead acid ( Not alkaline ), although the acid has changed, therefore so must the battery characteristics. Since it is still an acid, depending on its' strength, it must still be corrosive. If this really was magic the manufacturers would already be doing it surely ?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
peterboat Veteran II

peterboatDonate to Canal World

Posted
Posted

This thread has gone well flat blush.png .... any updates peterboat ?

 

 

 

 

The only well composed bit from me was "Cut and pasted", the rest was .. cut and pasted!!! The post came from across the pond, not me smile.png

It works so what can I say how long is the question so we will see what we see. We are off for 2 weeks cruising in september so that will be the test

Link to comment
Share on other sites
John V Veteran

John V

Posted
Posted (edited)

I keep reading this thread with interest. I definitely will have a go myself when things permit........looking forward to further updates.

Even if it only extends the life of a bank for a bit it's worth a go

Edited by John V
Link to comment
Share on other sites
spaceyaface Contributor

spaceyaface

Posted
Posted

Hang on Peter, let's not be too hasty here!

 

I've just realised this is MY boat that you intend to install your experimental batteries....! :)

As you know very well I not new to experimenting myself, but is this safe?....Why don't we just switch your battery bank onto A Little Further and then we can see....thoughts....?

 

(also, Peter your clearly bonkers)

 

All the best Richard.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Mat B Collaborator

Mat B

Posted
Posted

on the subject of additives I remember using a product called Batt-Aid tablets, they came in a tube like steradent and you added one tablet per cell, they were useful for getting an extra year or two out of a tired car battery

 

QUOTE-

 

Those pills do nowt other than contaminate the electrolyte. You might as well put a paracetamol or aspirin in there.

 

Or piss in them.

 

It will have about the same effect.

 

Gibbo

Edited by Gibbo, 15 October 2007 - 03:31 PM.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
smileypete Veteran II

smileypete

Posted
Posted (edited)

'14.7. Will conditioners, aspirins or additives will revive sulfated batteries?

Most battery experts agree that there is no evidence that conditioners, additives or aspirins provide any long-term benefits for heavily sulfated batteries. Short term gains, if any, are achieved by increasing the acidity (Specific Gravity) of the battery, which could increase the Amp Hour capacity, but also increase the water consumption and positive grid corrosion; thus, decreasing the overall service life of the battery. If a battery will not take a charge, then it is best to replace it with a healthy battery. This controversy between the additive manufacturers, battery manufacturers, and independent electrochemists has been going on for over 60 years as demonstrated in this AD-X2 Battery Additive, From a Trickle to a Torrent article from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Museum.'

 

http://jgdarden.com/batteryfaq/carfaq14.htm#pulse

http://batteryfaq.org

 

IIRC from experience many years ago they MAY kind of work on a tired batt, for a short time... but won't do anything for hopelessly dead batt :o

 

Really they belong to a bygone age, these days if a batt needs replacing, just replace it... :)

 

cheers, Pete.

~smpt~

Edited by smileypete
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest

Guest

Posted
Posted

'14.7. Will conditioners, aspirins or additives will revive sulfated batteries?

Most battery experts agree that there is no evidence that conditioners, additives or aspirins provide any long-term benefits for heavily sulfated batteries. Short term gains, if any, are achieved by increasing the acidity (Specific Gravity) of the battery, which could increase the Amp Hour capacity, but also increase the water consumption and positive grid corrosion; thus, decreasing the overall service life of the battery. If a battery will not take a charge, then it is best to replace it with a healthy battery. This controversy between the additive manufacturers, battery manufacturers, and independent electrochemists has been going on for over 60 years as demonstrated in this AD-X2 Battery Additive, From a Trickle to a Torrent article from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Museum.'

 

http://jgdarden.com/batteryfaq/carfaq14.htm#pulse

http://batteryfaq.org

 

IIRC from experience many years ago they MAY kind of work on a tired batt, for a short time... but won't do anything for hopelessly dead batt ohmy.png

 

Really they belong to a bygone age, these days if a batt needs replacing, just replace it... smile.png

 

cheers, Pete.

~smpt~

What about pissing in them though? ;)

As I see it if this works it is a win win situation; one less trip to the elsan point, and a working battery bank.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 2 weeks later...
spaceyaface Contributor

spaceyaface

Posted
Posted

Pleasure John.....I'll be sure to report how long we managed to eeek out of this battery.

Even if it gives us say an extra 2 months, then at least you have the time to save the money up and shop around.

I was sceptical....but in this instance he's a right.

 

I'd be interested in hearing from anyone else whose tried this...

Link to comment
Share on other sites
  • 2 months later...
Guest

Guest

Posted
Posted

Cat weasel it seems to work, I'm no electrical engineer. I'm just reporting my findings

The proof of the pudding and all that. Got two tired ones coming off our boat soon so might have a play.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
peterboat Veteran II

peterboatDonate to Canal World

Posted
Posted (edited)

The proof of the pudding and all that. Got two tired ones coming off our boat soon so might have a play.

the alum or what ever it was was not expensive and i have done 3 batteries and all seem to be ok. i think the trick is to do batteries that are just starting to fail who knows

Edited by peterboat
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Guest

Guest

Posted
Posted

the alum or what ever it was was not expensive and i have done 3 batteries and all seem to be ok. i think the trick is to do batteries that are just starting to fail who know

That would describe these of mine. With little cost involved, there is little to lose. Helps keep me out of trouble ;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.