best way to revive a bad battery

[cody93]

well, i got a car battery that was sitting discharged for a while, its probly sulfated. whats the best way to fix it, without spending cash, i got a 2/12/70 amp batter changer. i did top off the cells with distilled water and slow charged it for an hour, goes to 12.05 volts, then drops, hooked up a headlight and it drops to 7.5 volts.

any other ideas on what may work?

 

[strvger]

leave the charger set at 2 amps overnight. the next morning set it to 12 amps for an hour if it isn't fully charged. then set it at 70 amps and try to start it. if it has a dead cell, it's done. cheapest you could do would be a hopefully decent used battery for it. just be careful and give it lots of space. last thing you need is a battery blowing up in your face. good luck with your truck.

 

[COPPERHEAD85]

How old is it?
If its 5 years or older your wasting your time.
As far as bringing it back.....low and slow is the way to go,charge it at 2 amps till the voltage reads 12.7 no more than 13.
If it starts to smell like rotten eggs,unplug the charger from the wall,leave the clamps hooked to the battery for a while then junk it.
Its not a battery anymore .....its a bomb.

 

[cody93]

its 6 years old, so its time for another one, its boiling off electrolyte so i think its got a damaged cell. yea, ima leave it.

 

[Mark_88]

If you've got any junkyards in your area, they sell batteries...I picked up one manufactured in 2009 for $25...they normally go for around $120...

 

[COPPERHEAD85]

If you've got any junkyards in your area, they sell batteries...I picked up one manufactured in 2009 for $25...they normally go for around $120...

Great advice!

Look for 08 or better.

 

[cody93]

well, my mom went and bought me one for an early chrismas present before i goto arkansas, that was nice of her, i tried to tell her pick-n-pull sells reconditioned batts for 24$, but i cant complain, i also bought a new positive battery cable to replace the old ones with showed lots of wear and tear from jump starting. just got done installing it all and drove it around for a few miles, it seems to be running rich, mabey its cause the computer lost the air/fuel mixer and has to relearn it, seemed to run better when i got home.

 

[Mark_88]

Naw, it's running rich because it's a new battery...it thinks you're rich...lol

Just a suggestion that might also help keep your battery working...silicone spray...on the terminals before you put the connectors on and then after they're connected...it will keep them from corroding...

And find some plastic or rubber to lay over the battery top to keep moisture off the terminals...again...if I had pics I'd show you mine...they are like new and I've had them on since August...might be different after a month of winter weather, but they should be cleaned and checked regularly...