Uses for a (almost) dead battery

Submitted: Wednesday, Jan 09, 2013 at 20:00

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Battery Power

In this article we explain why you might need an additional power source independent of the starting battery installed into your vehicle and we look in detail at types of batteries,

Imanoone2u

To you knowledgable folks,
I have a 105ah 12v deep cycle battery that has met it's expiry date.
It met its expiry premature due to the fact that I bought one of those cases for it that have the buttons on it to show how much charge there is. Full/half/recharge etc and that button had be come stuck and drained the battery to 7v... And now it won't charge above 7.74v :)
Expensive lesson learned.
My question is though....:
I'm setting up some LED lights (build my own array with +/-3.v LEDs ) and thought, I might be able to use the battery for that purpose. Saving the new battery for the fridges etc. I guess I'd be using a lot of resisters but it would not be a total waste of a battery. Any thoughts on this?

Cheers
Marcel

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Reply By: Dennis Ellery - Wednesday, Jan 09, 2013 at 20:57

Wednesday, Jan 09, 2013 at 20:57

If it’s been discharged to 7.7 volts it is completely cactus – its only use is scrap lead

AnswerID: 502124

Follow Up By: Imanoone2u - Wednesday, Jan 09, 2013 at 21:15

Wednesday, Jan 09, 2013 at 21:15

I understand that it is 'cactus' for 12v uses, but how about the uses I mentioned in the original post?

FollowupID: 778499

Follow Up By: Dennis Ellery - Wednesday, Jan 09, 2013 at 23:09

Wednesday, Jan 09, 2013 at 23:09

There is no way of knowing exactly – but I guess you will be carrying around 30 kilos of lead that won’t do as good a job as $5 worth Ni-MH rechargeables that weigh a 100 grams.

FollowupID: 778504

Follow Up By: Member - Boobook - Thursday, Jan 10, 2013 at 07:08

Thursday, Jan 10, 2013 at 07:08

Come on Dennis what about
A torch that has low intensity so it doesn't scare animals and gets you fit at the same time, or a battery for a RC model submarine that is designed to go down to 5000meters ( you wouldn't even have to connect the wires.)

I must admit I can't think of any other uses though.

:)

Tony

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FollowupID: 778510

Follow Up By: John & Deborah G - Thursday, Jan 10, 2013 at 10:45

Thursday, Jan 10, 2013 at 10:45

Try putting a pulse device like "mega pulse" etc. and charge slowly using some type of regulated supply. I have had considerable luck recovering batteries that have appeared to loose their life in similar circumstances to yours.

Regards John G

FollowupID: 778515

Follow Up By: Imanoone2u - Thursday, Jan 10, 2013 at 12:33

Thursday, Jan 10, 2013 at 12:33

Thanks guys.
John G, that might be something to try. I won't trow it out just yet..... Nor will I carry it around in my back-pack...lol

Again, thanks all for your help clearing this up.

Marcel

FollowupID: 778526