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Joined: Nov 1995
Posts: 5,716
J
62401
62401
J Offline
Joined: Nov 1995
Posts: 5,716
Hey gang, it's just about time to re-awaken our sleeping beauties from their winter hibernation .... But ... ooopsies! Did someone leave the lights on when they parked it last November and now they have a dead battery???

Good thing we just put together a new Tech Tip on reviving dead batteries!

Yes, sometimes dead is dead. But ... sometimes it isn't ...

chug

Last edited by Peggy M; 03/18/2024 2:16 PM. Reason: added more info to the title

~ John

A kid raised on Hotwheels, Matchbox and Tonka cannot be reasonably expected to own only one vehicle as an adult.

1949 Chevrolet 3804
In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum
1973 IH 1310 Dump
1963 Kaiser M38A1
2001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie"
2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley)
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,596
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Good write up John! Jerry’s knowledge is unlimited in my mind! Gordon and many others rate right up there also.
You and Peggy have united all that knowledge here on the Bolt.

Don

Edit: Headed to the shop right now and try it out.

Last edited by 2-Ton; 03/06/2024 5:58 PM.

1967 GMC 9500 Fire Ladder Truck
"The Flag Pole"
In the Stovebolt Gallery
1946 2-Ton grain truck
1946 3/4-ton pickup,
1953 1-ton pickup
1957 1-ton flatbed dually,
1954 Pontiac Straight Eight
Of all the things I've lost in my life, I miss my mind the most!
Joined: Nov 1995
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J
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I'm trying it, as I work on the '49 turn signal project, on a battery that's been sitting in the shop for 4 or 5 years. I don't remember where it came from. The date on it is 2014. I can charge it up to about 12.5. I'm using a high wattage off road light to discharge it -- early on, it took about 35 seconds to drop to about 8 volts (where the light went out). I have a test light on it now for a slower, longer discharge. We're at charge/discharge cycle 5 at the moment. Going for 10. We'll see if we can bring this one back.

Would putting new electrolyte in it help?


~ John

A kid raised on Hotwheels, Matchbox and Tonka cannot be reasonably expected to own only one vehicle as an adult.

1949 Chevrolet 3804
In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum
1973 IH 1310 Dump
1963 Kaiser M38A1
2001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie"
2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley)
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 29,771
H
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer)
H Offline
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 29,771
Add a little electrolyte, but don't overload it- - - -a couple of ounces per cell should be about tops. Once the sulfate crystals start to redissolve, you'll end up with acid that's too strong if you disturb the chemical balance. "Full charge" specific gravity on an open cell battery should be around 1.265. Anywhere above a 1.250 specific gravity reading (on all the cells) is sufficient to do a high rate discharge test. A battery hydrometer to check the concentration of the acid is pretty much a "must have" tool when charging and testing open cell batteries. You don't have that option with a saealed top battery. A "discharged" battery will have an electrolyte specific gravity of 1.000- - - - -plain water. All the sulfuric acid has been absorbed by the cell plates.

www.ebay.com/itm/133780975826?

Jerry


"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!

Moderated by  Jon G, Rusty Rod 

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