Old battery

Bill from Scotland · Jul 8, 2012

Just bought a Ford 8100 that"s been sitting for the last year so, the battery has been allowed to go flat. Got it home and put it on the charger, seemed to be taking the charge fine but quickly looses it when removed from the charger. Probably a stupid question but is there any way of rejuvinating the battery or should I just put it to scrap and buy a new one.
Thanks
Bill

Mike in Mn. · Jul 8, 2012

Years ago I knew a guy that would put an asprin tablet into every cell and swore it would bring em back, wouldn't hurt to try it.

Ron-MO · Jul 8, 2012

Here is some info I posted over a year ago on another forum. By the way, both batteries are still in use, however the 6 volt is getting weak now again, and probably due to replace soon. 12 volt on my 5000 Ford (4DLT) still going strong.
Post I made on another forum

ericlb · Jul 8, 2012

go get a new battery, the one you have will have a dead cell in it, once in awhile you can fix a dead cell battery for a little while by replacing the battery acid with new, but 9 times out of 10 the dead cell is caused by the plates in that cell being shorted, and its done

Hay_Man · Jul 8, 2012

And with plates shorted there is the danger of the battery exploding. Replace it for safty's sake. Battery explosions are serious stuff.

David G · Jul 8, 2012

Yes, but it could explode, just buy a new one.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 8, 2012

My battery charger has a setting for reconditioning a dead battery. It works very well and I have had some good luck. The battery has to be able to take some sharge first before it will work.

buickanddeere · Jul 8, 2012

Only way to rejuvenate that battery is to smelt down the lead, remove the impurities and pour new plates.
Battery explosions occur with old iffy batteries, rarely with good working batteries.
For the few bucks a New battery costs. Why mess with an old battery.

bobs old iron · Jul 8, 2012

every one has a good opinion, which is cheaper, a new battery or a co-pay and time at the hospital

Ron-MO · Jul 8, 2012

wow. I am in the minority here, but what I did was (in my opinion) was both safe, and saved a dying battery (what the poster asked). Probably the "riskiest" part was charging the battery after refilling with epsom salt and water solution. Nearly every instance of exploding a battery I have heard of was simply attempting to jump or charge a battery, so perhaps therein lies the risk of exploding a battery. No doubt also that a shorted cell would not be helped by desulfication.

Bill from Scotland · Jul 8, 2012

You guys are just great, it never ceases to amaze me the ideas and suggestions you come up with. Definately a great site and always someone willing to offer up their thoughts.
I take on board everyones points and I can see the good and the bad in each.
Thanks for the interest.
Bill

jackinok · Jul 9, 2012

my own opinion ,replace it.weak or bad batery can cause all other kinds of problems besides just cranking. I personaly have enough to work on without adding to it by trying to save a buck I'm going to have to spend eventualy anyway. That being said ,i put a battery in my daughters car sat morning, $99 ,i like to have passed out!LOL

Old battery

Bill from Scotland

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Mike in Mn.

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Ron-MO

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ericlb

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Hay_Man

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David G

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Anonymous-0

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buickanddeere

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bobs old iron

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Bill from Scotland

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