Battery

[4-Barrrel]

I picked up a Interstate group 29 deep cycle battery. Marine cranking amps
845 and reserve capacity 210.  I got this battery for 20 dollars. it was used once to start a car. I couldn't pass it up since I needed a battery and money is tight.

[wavery]

I picked up a Interstate group 29 deep cycle battery. Marine cranking amps
845 and reserve capacity 210.  I got this battery for 20 dollars. it was used once to start a car. I couldn't pass it up since I needed a battery and money is tight.

That's a great deal on a great battery.

Check the water...add distilled water (if needed) and give that puppy a good charge. Don't store it dead or partially charged.

[4-Barrrel]

That's a great deal on a great battery.

Check the water...add distilled water (if needed) and give that puppy a good charge. Don't store it dead or partially charged.

My friend was cleaning out his garage and didn't want it anymore. It's been on the charger since I got home with it. The automatic charger still hasn't shut off yet. I checked it with a battery tester and it seems to be a strong battery.

[4-Barrrel]

Finally hit full charge on 10A charge... I put it on a 2A charge to top it off.

[jawilson]

Even if it has lost some capacity you can't really complain for that price. I just bought a brand new Interstate SRM24 for $56, and I thought that was a good price. $20 is a steal!

[wavery]

My friend was cleaning out his garage and didn't want it anymore. It's been on the charger since I got home with it. The automatic charger still hasn't shut off yet. I checked it with a battery tester and it seems to be a strong battery.

If it were me, I would attach a light to the battery and let it run down then give it another good charge.

It sounds like it must have been sitting around in an un-charged (wet) state for a long time. Often a battery like that will refuse to take a charge at all. Sometimes when it does, it will have a very limited capacity. That's why they store batteries dry in the warehouses.

You might want to consider dumping all of the old acid and putting in new electrolyte. Some auto parts stores sell it in a 1 gallon container. Don't breath the stuff and be very careful about getting it on your skin, concrete and clothing.

[AustinBoston]

You might want to consider dumping all of the old acid and putting in new electrolyte. Some auto parts stores sell it in a 1 gallon container. Don't breath the stuff and be very careful about getting it on your skin, concrete and clothing.

It's probably not a good idea to just dump it down a private septic system either.

Austin

[wavery]

It's probably not a good idea to just dump it down a private septic system either.

Austin

I didn't say this but some people sprinkle baking soda on a patch of dirt and put it there......................... :yikes: WHO said that :confused:

-----------------battery acid disposal--------------
Sulfuric Acid Disposal
Old battery acid can be handled in two ways.

The acid is neutralized with an industrial compound similar to household baking soda. This turns the acid into water. The water is treated, cleaned and tested to be sure it meets clean water standards. Then it is released into the public sewer system.

Another way to treat acid is to process it and convert it to sodium sulfate, an odorless white powder that's used in laundry detergent, glass and textile manufacturing. This takes a material that would be discarded and turns it into a useful product.
http://www.batterycouncil.org/recycling.html

[zamboni]

It's probably not a good idea to just dump it down a private septic system either.

Austin

Wow, that is such a distinct & powerful bit of advice... I am almost truly afraid to learn *WHY* you even have that advice to give!!!

(And, for some bizarre reason, I am quite comforted by the fact that I, and my drinking water, am nowhere near Minnesota!) :eyecrazy:

[AustinBoston]

Wow, that is such a distinct & powerful bit of advice... I am almost truly afraid to learn *WHY* you even have that advice to give!!![/SIZE]

Let's just say it is NOT personal experience.  Wisdom is learning from your mistakes, and deep wisdom is learning from OTHER PEOPLE's mistakes.

Wayne described in general how it is usually dealt with; once properly treated it would be OK to dump it, but I wasn't going to try to go into that much detail.

Austin