Model Train Journal

Mitch,

You mention that you successfully charged some batteries that were totally discharged.

Any tips , or is it just pot luck?

Thanks,
Rich

It very well may be luck. When the battery is completely discharged, all reserve minutes of capacity are used up. The battery may still show 12 volts, but there's no juice, ie: no oomph! If all the plates are covered with the water/acid mix, so that current can flow across the plates between the anodes, then the battery may or may not be successfully recharged. If it takes the charge, (and we're talkin' at least an overnight min. 10amp 12 volt charge, which would be in the neighborhood of 13.5 volts), it may come back to life. If one hour after charging you still have 12.4-12.6volts, the battery may live. In lieu of a proper battery load tester, you can take a large flat file, grasp it firmly, and smack it down onto the positive and negative anodes, shorting them out. If the battery has a bad cell, water/acid will boil up out of that cell, and the battery is junk. This is NOT a recommended procedure with a battery that is not maintenance free, (ie: no removable caps). If the battery is old, it may be due for replacement anyway.

THANKS!

Rich