Reviving a dead battery.

[cubs-n-bxrs]

Has anyone tried this before? Someone posted this on another forum and thought I would give it a try. Before I started on this battery I took a hydrometer reading of the cells after it had been on a charger for a couple hrs and the reading were 1.120 or less on each cell. I mixed up a Epsom salt and water mixture 3 heaping tablespoons per each cup of water. Suppose to use distilled water but I didn't have any at the time so I just used well water. I drained the battery to the top of the plates and refilled with the solution and charged at 2 amp rate for 24hrs. Checked with a hydrometer the next day and I was quite surprised. The hydro readings were 1.1285 or better on each cell. It works as well as any new battery I have and it recovers from the start quicker.

[cub1450]

Yes it does work I done it on an old battery I had and it made it last 6 more months but I `m going to tell u if it didn`t crank the first time forget it.

[ol'George]

Originally Posted by cub1450

Yes it does work I done it on an old battery I had and it made it last 6 more months but I `m going to tell u if it didn`t crank the first time forget it.

snake oil-
Ya ain't growing hair on a bald man, it is a band aid @ best.
I have revived a lot of sick old batteries but they all have a life span.
When they are consumed that’s it.
They can be brought back somewhat but it’s a crap shoot and never will have full cranking amps.
I always figure the initial dollar cost divided by the years in use. I would not rope start a engine for those few dollars a year

[krhoover]

I posted about it and am still using the same battery I used it in, I'm a believer.

[CADplans]

The batteries made many years ago (the '60's) had thick plates compared to today's batteries.

Methods to rejuvenate those old batteries were more often successful that with today's batteries.

Typical battery failure today is due to a plate warping and touching an adjoining plate.

When the plates touch, the cell is shorted, no chemical will help it.

In cases where the plates are sulfated, the chemicals may help.

There are battery chargers that can detect sulfate and have special circuits and functions to reduce this.

I have 2 of these chargers, but, I have not had a sulfated battery since their purchase.

[ol'George]

From Wikipedia:
If one cares to read the whole article, it is informative,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lead%E2%80%93acid_battery
Additives:
Since the 1950s chemical additives have been used to reduce lead sulfate build up on plates and improve battery condition when added to the electrolyte of a vented lead–acid battery. Such treatments are rarely, if ever, effective.[19]

Two compounds used for such purposes are Epsom salts and EDTA. Epsom salts reduces the internal resistance in a weak or damaged battery and may allow a small amount of extended life. EDTA can be used to dissolve the sulfate deposits of heavily discharged plates. However, the dissolved material is then no longer available to participate in the normal charge/discharge cycle, so a battery temporarily revived with EDTA will have a reduced life expectancy. Residual EDTA in the lead–acid cell forms organic acids which will accelerate corrosion of the lead plates and internal connectors.

The active materials change physical form during charge/discharge, resulting in growth and distortion of the electrodes, and shedding of electrode into the electrolyte. Once the active material has fallen out of the plates, it cannot be restored into position by any chemical treatment. Similarly, internal physical problems such as cracked plates, corroded connectors, or damaged separators cannot be restored chemically.

[krhoover]

Well, if your battery is shot, what do you have to lose. I used to have to keep mine on the maintainer to be able to get it to start. Haven't had to do that since the epsone salt treatment.

[cubs-n-bxrs]

Well I checked the specific gravity of the battery and the readings are 1.130 on all cells across the board. So I guess if I can put off buying a battery for 6 months maybe more for the few cents in Epsom salt I reckon it was money wisely spent. I am really curious how long it will last before it throws in the towel.