From: MV (MV@dc9.tzo.com)
Date: Thu Jun 02 2005 - 23:10:59 PDT
The stuff is called EDTA. It is a white powder that you add to the
battery cells.
I bought a pound from Trailhead Supply in Utah. I tried to recover a
couple of batteries with it with no luck. Regarding extending battery
life I can't tell if it helps or not.
I have a number of vehicles and I have found that once in a while when a
battery dies, and will no longer take a charge, and will have very
limited capacity, I can apply about 40 volts of DC to the battery and it
will recover - sometimes many months of additional use. I use my DC
stick welder to do this. I just apply the higher voltage DC like I'm
charging the battery with the welder for just a couple of minutes. Then
I hook up my conventional charger and let it recharge the battery. The
batteries often load test just fine afterwards. Like they never had a
problem.
My 4+ year old tractor battery died - just when I needed it of course.
I zapped it with the welder - then put the charger on it - 20 minutes
later it was back in the tractor working just fine.
I have no idea as to why this works, but it does. I suspect the high
voltage/current is burning or melting away some portion of the shorted
battery plates.
If you try this make sure you take all safety precautions - wear safety
glasses in case of a battery explosion etc. I always do this outside
away from anything really important in case something pops. Battery
expolosion are not fun - they throw acid and stuff all over the place -
I speak from experience.
Dave
JTravis wrote:
> Hey Dave (and list),
> A while back, I remember a discussion about a chemical that one could
> add to their batteries that was supposed to extend their lives and renew
> those with build-up problems. What was the name of that chemical, and
> where does one get it at? My neighbor just bought an electric golf cart
> to use for going to swap meets, car shows, etc. and I was trying to
> remember so that I might help him out. He's on disablity, and anything
> that makes the batteries last longer is that much he can save. Thanks,
> one and all.
> Jay Travis
>
> l51940@aol.com wrote:
>
>> Reading the recent "jumping 24 volt" posts reminded me that my 6tls in
>> my m35a2 are 4 years old. They have gotten to this age with
>> absolutely zero maintenance. In fact, the first time that I have ever
>> looked inside to check the water level was 2 or 3 weeks ago. The
>> truck is run every week during the decent weather and is started every
>> couple of weeks during the winter. I do keep it inside a drafty barn
>> (gotta protect the Aervoe paint). Joe Young must have had a good
>> batch of batteries then.
>>
>> BTW the new ring mount looks most excellent on my truck. Every kid in
>> town (even old kids) want to spin it around. The neighbors who don't
>> know me are concerned and we will keep it that way.
>>
>> Dave McConnell
>
>
>
>
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