Battery refresher juice?

[seotaji]

I remember they used to sell the clear liquid (which I believed to be battery acid) that you would use to top off your car batteries.

Did it work? or was it snake oil?

Do they still sell it?

I just popped the caps off of my battery and boy were they low, but I refilled with distilled water.

Is there something else I can use that is better, but not crazy expensive?

 

[SteveD2]

quote:

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Originally posted by seotaji:
Is there something else I can use that is better, but not crazy expensive?

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No. They sell battery acid, but it's just for refilling an empty battery. (as in completely dry) There are some products that claim to rejuvinate old batteries, but they are worthless. There are electronic desulphators, which can help alot of old dead batteries, but they cost as much as several new batteries.

 

[eljefino]

it's not the acid that goes bad; it's the metal plates inside the battery. They can crack or sulfate (grow things). Sometimes they can be saved with a >10amp charge for a couple of hours but usually they just get melted down and turned into new batteries.

 

[cousincletus]

If your battery is even questionable go ahead and replace it. Winter is coming up and you will need all the power you can get. A weak battery can also ruin your expensive alternator. That's why you see a lot of batteries and alternators replaced at the same time.

 

[paulo57509]

quote:

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.....There are electronic desulphators, which can help alot of old dead batteries, but they cost as much as several new batteries.

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I have and use three of VDC's 1-amp wall wart charger/maintainers. I really can't tell if the desulphation circuit works, but I haven't had to replace the batteries in both my motorcycles in over three years.

I also have the extra car hooked up to one too.

For ~$40 for each charger, I'm happy.

http://www.vdcelectronics.com/index.htm

I think this is the battery additive Seotaji is refering to:

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/ProductDisplay/s-10101/p-31/c-10101

 

[blupupher]

quote:

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Originally posted by paulo57509:

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I think this is the battery additive Seotaji is refering to:

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/ProductDisplay/s-10101/p-31/c-10101

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I tried that stuff from JC Whitney about 10 yrs ago in 2 batteries. 1 died less than a week later, the other one was sold with the vehicle a year later with no problems. Never thought about using it again.

 

[JohnBrowning]

You are looking for EDTA. EDTA revitilizes baterys by chelateing(sp) the deposits off of the plates. Ask Molakule to speak about this as I understand the process but dare not try to explain it! EDTA is also used to remove heavy metals from your body. It is used in foods adn and cleaners as well. It can be bought packaged just for batterys or it can be bought in powdered bulk form. Their are different types and different grades.

 

[SHOZ]

Trouble is the stuff will fall off the plates then collect on the bottom and short out the cell. For the price of new batteries just get the largest and cheapest that will fit or get a PC 1200 Odyssey and use it in your next car too.

http://www.odysseyfactory.com/specs.htm

 

[spraiski]

Does anyone know if kleen flo battery tune-up (stock #440) contains edta? The MSDS is here

Are the Inorganic Alkali Salts likely to be EDTA?