A Battery Rejuvenator

[bironacad]

Must be that time of year again, lol, I loved the story of the battery in the microwave, priceless.

 

[Cowpaddy52]

I was browsing last week and saw the Battery Rejuvenator thread and found it very interesting. After going thru most of the replies I'm going to have to say to ETpilot, don't listen to the NAY-SAYERS to this thread and keep working on this project. I've already gone and gathered up most of the components to build me one. We have about 6 to 8 old batteries laying around the shop, if I can get just a couple of them to work I'll be money ahead. I'll let everyone know ASAP.

Thanks again, ETpilot Tom.

PS. the story about the Nuked battery was hillarious, as my Grandma used to say, "He shore can spin a yarn".

 

[Cowpaddy52]

I was browsing last week and saw the Battery Rejuvenator thread and found it very interesting. After going thru most of the replies I'm going to have to say to ETpilot, don't listen to the NAY-SAYERS to this thread and keep working on this project. I've already gone and gathered up most of the components to build me one. We have about 6 to 8 old batteries laying around the shop, if I can get just a couple of them to work I'll be money ahead. I'll let everyone know ASAP.

Thanks again, ETpilot

PS. the story about the Nuked battery was hillarious, as my Grandma used to say, "He shore can spin a yarn".


Tom.

 

[bironacad]

I was browsing last week and saw the Battery Rejuvenator thread and found it very interesting. After going thru most of the replies I'm going to have to say to ETpilot, don't listen to the NAY-SAYERS to this thread and keep working on this project. I've already gone and gathered up most of the components to build me one. We have about 6 to 8 old batteries laying around the shop, if I can get just a couple of them to work I'll be money ahead. I'll let everyone know ASAP.

Thanks again, ETpilot Tom.

PS. the story about the Nuked battery was hillarious, as my Grandma used to say, "He shore can spin a yarn".

Hey don't let the negative wave get you down work with the positive

 

[Darren]

I've been desulfating batteries for about three years. I use two battery chargers/desulfators. Eventually the sulfur will go back into solution and increase the strength of the acid. The first battery I worked on seemed to take forever to hold a charge over 13V. I like to see the battery hold a charge around 13.4V. I use both a hydrometer and a load meter to test the batteries. I'm currently working on a 6+ year old Interstate battery. It has one cell that's weak. I'm watching to see if it eventually comes up.

If any of the cells are physically damaged, the battery is shot.

 

[wkmiller]

I have a 2010 Honda Insight Hybrid which uses a Small Battery. It recently began to discharge quick so I did an internet search on Battery Restoring and came across this article. I Found it very interesting. Another site I found has a differnt charger that some might find of interest,
The Do-It-Yourself World - Restore Lead Acid Batteries which describes the Bedini Charger for charging Lead Acid Batteries.
I'd recommend is to add some liquified epsom salt or even better sodium sulfate before doing the charging which will help to rejuvinate the liquid acid. Formula is 1 grams of salt per 200 milliliter of water.

 

[Darren]

I've got an older Vector charger/desulfator that I use alternately with a Battery Minder unit. Black and Decker now owns Vector. I do not add anything to the cells except for distilled water if necessary to bring the electrolyte level up. Like the article you referenced I've noticed I can get more voltage out of an older battery. I have a new Exide on the bench that goes to 12.9V. A 6+ year old Diehard will go to 13.4V. The proof lies in the load testing. Once the battery is restored so that it passes a load test it's good to go.

 

[wkmiller]

I was browsing last week and saw the Battery Rejuvenator thread and found it very interesting. After going thru most of the replies I'm going to have to say to ETpilot, don't listen to the NAY-SAYERS to this thread and keep working on this project.QUOTE]

I Agree and another good source of info is the Battery Book "Rebuilding Lead Acid Batteries: Chapter 11 at Troubled Times Troubled Times: Rebuilding Lead Acid Batteries or http://www.zetatalk.com/energy/Rebuilding%20Lead-Acid%20Batteries%201922-Witte.pdf

 

[King Benjamin]

Neat project, and a nice simple circuit. There are chargers that come with this feature - I believe they are called desulferators. Though your setup is much less expensive.

A question for you. Instead of having a separate extension cord, why not put the diode and alligator clips right in the line on the 3-way adapter?

One other suggestion: if you put the diode part reference number on your schematic diagram, that one diagram would give every one all they need to build the circuit:
"1N5404 3 amp barrel diode, Radio Shack part #276-1144"

I am wondering why I can't just use a wire wound resistor? And do I measure the cold bulbs and use a resistor of the same ohm reading and at least 3 amps?

 

[Rustaholic]

I am wondering why I can't just use a wire wound resistor? And do I measure the cold bulbs and use a resistor of the same ohm reading and at least 3 amps?

Why do you want to put a resistor in this circuit?
Buy the cheap diode.
1N5404 3 amp barrel diode, Radio Shack part #276-1144

 

[King Benjamin]

Why do you want to put a resistor in this circuit?
Buy the cheap diode.
1N5404 3 amp barrel diode, Radio Shack part #276-1144

no not instead of the diode I mean instead of the light bulbs?

 

[King Benjamin]

I have built this rejuvenator with the Light bulbs but the bulbs make it look very Mickey Mouse. I was even thinking about using a wire-wound potentiometer to control the amperage instead of light bulbs. Actually it is more difficult these days to find 100 watt bulbs and they are too fragile in my active garage with my sons and their hot-rods , boats, bikes ATC's and other toys!! Can you imagine how this looks on my Military deuce with it's camouflage paint job? I have several older very expensive batteries and i need to make a couple more of these rejuvenator units, before long it will be very difficult to get wet acid batteries so I need to keep them alive as long as possible. I can't even get Sulfuric acid locally anymore, The last clerk that i asked about Sulfuric Acid was about to call 911 thinking I was building a bomb of some sort! LOL

 

[Rustaholic]

I see,
I have a dedicated space for mine so it is just a light left on in my engine shed.
I have a collection of antique flywheel engines in there.
I have brought back to life a HUGE diesel tractor battery that would make several of the batteries in my pickup.
That big battery was only showing 1 1/2 Volt. That is one very weak cell.
A week later it was right there at 13.4 Volts.
I let it set two weeks and it was still 13.4 Volts.
Then I put a little float level charger on it until I need it again.
Now I have a good size battery that will not even wiggle the needle with the meter set on 10 Volts.
That one is going to get the rejuvenator tomorrow.

 

[Rustaholic]

I really like that I can plug in however many lights I want for more power.
So far five old batteries are back working and I have done them all with three lights.
I have a couple small lawn tractor ones to do and I will try one bulb then try two if I need to.
I really LOVE this thing.

 

[King Benjamin]

I have had this military battery on for about 24 hours and the acid is still reading at the bottem of the scale I have 300 watts of lights on it. But the voltage went up from 5volts to 11 volts I am thinking about taking it off of the rejuvenator and charging it on a 15 amp Charger for about 20 minutes to give it a little kick in the pants Then putting it back on the rejuvenator. What do you think? I was also thinking about using wire wound resistors with plugs on them to plug into the sockets so I be able to plug in as many as I need. I am using a 6 socket power strip instead of the Harbor freight deal. I just don't like the idea of using the fragile bulbs. What is the story behind your id Rustaholic?

I really like that I can plug in however many lights I want for more power.
So far five old batteries are back working and I have done them all with three lights.
I have a couple small lawn tractor ones to do and I will try one bulb then try two if I need to.
I really LOVE this thing.

 

[King Benjamin]

I see,
I have a dedicated space for mine so it is just a light left on in my engine shed.
I have a collection of antique flywheel engines in there.
I have brought back to life a HUGE diesel tractor battery that would make several of the batteries in my pickup.
That big battery was only showing 1 1/2 Volt. That is one very weak cell.
A week later it was right there at 13.4 Volts.
I let it set two weeks and it was still 13.4 Volts.
Then I put a little float level charger on it until I need it again.
Now I have a good size battery that will not even wiggle the needle with the meter set on 10 Volts.
That one is going to get the rejuvenator tomorrow.

I love old engines! I once had a collection too but I left too many in Ohio before I moved to Miami in 68. They got scattered away when my parents passed away. The engine I wish I had now was a whizzer motor bike engine. I had several maytag engines All I have here in Miami Is a v8 Lamborgini engine Out of a 928 Porche and several outboard and marine engines now. but I have some great engines in my cars. Also, I have a 409 engine in my 1962 firetruck Pumper. and a Hemi 6.1L in my Charger SRT8, and a Super charged engine in My Buick GS. Several 383 Chevy engines in my el camino, jeep, etc. also, I have a 56 Cadillac and my deuce has Hercules super charged military diesel

 

[Rustaholic]

You have a lot of new engines compared to mine.
I don't have any really old ones.
I have a couple 1911 hit-n-miss engines and the rest go from there to 1928.
Rustaholic is because I am addicted to rust.
The last engine I got running is one I have had for several years but just collected parts for it.
Last August at our local show I fired it up for the first time in over 70 years.
It is a 1911 4hp Ottawa farm engine.
It has 24" flywheels and it is all rusty.
Lots of compression though and it is a great runner. It really barks when it hits.
Back on Topic,,,,
I would leave that military battery on there for at least three days then check it.

 

[Rustaholic]

Well,,,, I did it.
I put my rejuvenator on a totally DEAD Excide 31 battery.
My auto parts guy says it would cost $100 to buy a new one.
This is my first totally dead one to try.
It is also the first time I plugged in my rejuvenator and the lights failed to come on at all.
Then I saw just the faintest glow in the center of each bulb and they are getting brighter slowly.
I believe this is telling me that it was a hard fight but it is starting to work.
I would love to hear opinions to support or shoot down my thoughts.

 

[Beltman60]

I found this thread about a month ago and decided to try it on 2 batteries that were DOA
the 1st one 1 did I did up at the house using grid 120v ac
the 2nd one I did I used my solar panel set up at the barn (used my inverter)
I got the same results with both batteries showing about 85% as good as new batteries
So now it doesn't even cost me anything for the electric
this is great

 

[King Benjamin]

Wow that's great how big a solar panel are you using? my system needs about 400 watts (3.3 Amps) to be reliable

I found this thread about a month ago and decided to try it on 2 batteries that were DOA
the 1st one 1 did I did up at the house using grid 120v ac
the 2nd one I did I used my solar panel set up at the barn (used my inverter)
I got the same results with both batteries showing about 85% as good as new batteries
So now it doesn't even cost me anything for the electric
this is great