Why aren't old car batteries reconditioned?

I see youtube video showing how old car batteries (lead acid) can be rejuvenated by passing a large current through and causing the acid to boil. I don't plan on doing this because I don't have the equipment and also it sounds slightly dangerous. But I'm curious.

If this works, why isn't anyone offering battery rejuvenation service, or selling rejuvenated batteries?

 

Lead acid batteries generate electricity via a chemical reaction, once the chemicals are used up the battery fails. Lots of hacks but they simply do not create long term results.


https://www.usbattery.com/the-truth-...ead-batteries/

 

I haven't bought one in a long time but they sell [or did] rebuilt batteries. If I remember correctly the cost is about half of a new battery ..... and they last about half as long.

 

At one time "reconditioned" batteries were available but I can't remember anyone having good results from one.

Sulfides build up on the lead plants. A long slow recharge process can help de-sulphate plates.
Some newer charges have a de-sulphation mode that uses pulsed AC to clean the plates.

 

Why bother. Salvage yards sell pretty much new batteries for $30-50. Quarter of store price.

 

I had a friend with a company that reconditioned used car batteries. They would remove the top and flush them out, check the plates, and if the plates looked good they would add new acid and put the top back on. I used them, and never expected much from a reconditioned battery...but most of them worked. At one point I tried doing it myself, just pouring out the old acid, flushing with water, and adding new acid. In those days when you bought a new battery it often came with a bag of acid and you could go to a auto parts store and buy a bag.. That was one way to restore a battery, and as I recall it worked sometimes. When you're broke, "sometimes" is pretty good odds.

 

The lead in the battery deteriorates is well and once it's done, there's no bringing it back.

 

I have seen batteries "reconditioned" in less developed countries along with tires. It can be rather labor intensive process depending on how thorough they are. So, in the developed world where labor rates are high it's not an easy sell especially when you consider the cost of transportation.

 

Douglas Battery Company, located in Winston-Salem, NC, was a large re-conditioner of old vehicle, deep cell and forklift batteries back in the 1960s and 70s. They would salvage primarily the lead but they also were able to benefit in some way I think with the old acid. Douglas Battery also manufactured first-grade vehicle batteries for numerous companies and labeled those batteries for their clients like DieHard, Autolite, Exide, etc.

 

I don't know that I've ever seen them on the shelf but the last battery I bought, I think I got $8 core charge..?? So, either they are reconditioning them or recycling them.

 

When I was much younger I made and installed some of the machinery in the battery plant Kooter mentioned. I recall how difficult it was to breathe because of all the acid vapor in the air. Apparently you get used to it since it didn't seem to bother the workers anymore. The acid vapor in the air was also hard on cotton clothing and metal bits they wore like the rivets and zippers on jeans.

 

Pilot Dane - As you might imagine the EPA required a clean-up at that location!

 

Battery rebuilding is predominantly done in China where the restrictions are basically non existent.