Not sure in which forum to post this - so mods feel free to move!
I have a Platinum 685L Leisure Battery which appears to be dead. I purchased it a couple of years ago and it has sort of died! Is there any way to revive these or is it toast? - I guess it costs nothing to try. I wouldn't mind but it was only probably used once or twice.
Thought it might have been an answer to my 12v power quandry (see post elsewhere) as forgot I had purchased one of these.
Anyone out there know anything about the chemistry of LB's - I'm sure I recall reading somewhere that they are not meant to be completely flattened! - anyway, as it stands/lies at present it is worthless so no harm can be done.
Next one I get will be used to power radios indoors and kept charged! (wise after the event and all that).
Can a Leisure Battery be revived?
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Can a Leisure Battery be revived?
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Icom IC-7100 + two patchleads and a broken PL
Icom IC-7100 + two patchleads and a broken PL
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Re: Can a Leisure Battery be revived?
May be worth trying a desulphater / pulse charger. i build one from a kit but not got round to trying it yet as ive not got hold of any more dead batteries yet. Check my thread in the home brew forum for info and links.
M6JCA -> 2E0JCA
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Yaesu FT-897, FT-857D (In car), FT-817D & Wouxun KG-UVD1P
Full wave 40M wire loop for HF, Watson V2000 for 2, 70 & 6
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Re: Can a Leisure Battery be revived?
try reversing the polarity of the battery charger for 2-3 seconds for about 15 times then try charging normally, assuming that the battery levels are good, i have revided nimh, lead acid and sla's like this.
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Re: Can a Leisure Battery be revived?
A google search turned up something like fully charging the battery, then using some of the charge, then desulphating (sp?) and using a pulse charger which may, or may not work. Not sure whether worth purchasing a pulse charger, though when I purchase a replacement battery I will need a good quality charger.
Not sure about the reverse polarity trick though.
I can't ever recall any documentation advising leisure batteries need to be kept charged up at all times when I bought it. Serves me right for using a caravan/camping shop.
Not sure about the reverse polarity trick though.
I can't ever recall any documentation advising leisure batteries need to be kept charged up at all times when I bought it. Serves me right for using a caravan/camping shop.
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Icom IC-7100 + two patchleads and a broken PL
Icom IC-7100 + two patchleads and a broken PL
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Re: Can a Leisure Battery be revived?
Drastic Action! - I've ordered a CTEK Multi XS 7000 battery charger which might, just might be able to revive the battery and justify its price tag (£90+). Best case scenario is it saves me buying a new leisure battery and means I have a tip-top battery charger/conditioner. Worst case? - I need to buy a new leisure battery to go with my tip-top battery charger.
Watch this space!
Watch this space!
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Icom IC-7100 + two patchleads and a broken PL
Icom IC-7100 + two patchleads and a broken PL
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Re: Can a Leisure Battery be revived?
It is possible to revive batteries. But it depends on the reason they have failed.
If they have been left without charge for a length of time, the plates disintegrate, this cannot be corrected clearly as the voltage will not be able to be stored, they may charge at 14.8v but soon as you remove the charger the volats will drop down. If they are not keeping charge, it may be that the plates are coated with sulpher, it may be possible to de-sulphate the plates, but requires a de-sulphation process. This works by putting pulses of upto 50v plus into the battery, using pulses stops it from exploding.
Sometimes batteries will give the impression they're fully charged when in fact they are not.
Most, not all, but most batteries are charged at only 75% of capacity anyway and can last for years, particularly those on vehicles as they are kept over 12v. But with so called leisure batteries, these are generally used for power and are run down then recharged. This cycling is the reason their life is so much less, particularly deep cycling (Running them really low). I have a narrow boat and on there I have nine "leisure" batteries, they last around 3-4 years with proper maintenance, kept charged, watered and I also use a nifty external charge regulator that fools the alternator into putting in 100% and de-sulphates automatically.
Batteries are flat at 50%, less than 11.8v, will only charge from an alternator to 75% therefore you actually get to use 25% of a vehicle charged battery. There are other factors like the peukert effect, but as a rule this is true.
Leisure batteries are not Deep cycle batteries usually, this is a con on the part of the seller. Proper deep cycle batteries are ten times the cost. Forklift, milk float for instance are proper deep cycle. The main difference between batteries sold as leisure or starter is the speed of which the amps can be delivered, although I use leisure batteries as starters all day long and notice no difference.
Good luck with your charger, conditioning chargers work by just keeping the battery topped up, thats all that is required. Also they wont allow the battery to become over voltage, but you can charge batteries at nearly 16v without any issues.
There is loads of maths that surround this and a lot of subjective material, but its well covered on the internet.
If they have been left without charge for a length of time, the plates disintegrate, this cannot be corrected clearly as the voltage will not be able to be stored, they may charge at 14.8v but soon as you remove the charger the volats will drop down. If they are not keeping charge, it may be that the plates are coated with sulpher, it may be possible to de-sulphate the plates, but requires a de-sulphation process. This works by putting pulses of upto 50v plus into the battery, using pulses stops it from exploding.
Sometimes batteries will give the impression they're fully charged when in fact they are not.
Most, not all, but most batteries are charged at only 75% of capacity anyway and can last for years, particularly those on vehicles as they are kept over 12v. But with so called leisure batteries, these are generally used for power and are run down then recharged. This cycling is the reason their life is so much less, particularly deep cycling (Running them really low). I have a narrow boat and on there I have nine "leisure" batteries, they last around 3-4 years with proper maintenance, kept charged, watered and I also use a nifty external charge regulator that fools the alternator into putting in 100% and de-sulphates automatically.
Batteries are flat at 50%, less than 11.8v, will only charge from an alternator to 75% therefore you actually get to use 25% of a vehicle charged battery. There are other factors like the peukert effect, but as a rule this is true.
Leisure batteries are not Deep cycle batteries usually, this is a con on the part of the seller. Proper deep cycle batteries are ten times the cost. Forklift, milk float for instance are proper deep cycle. The main difference between batteries sold as leisure or starter is the speed of which the amps can be delivered, although I use leisure batteries as starters all day long and notice no difference.
Good luck with your charger, conditioning chargers work by just keeping the battery topped up, thats all that is required. Also they wont allow the battery to become over voltage, but you can charge batteries at nearly 16v without any issues.
There is loads of maths that surround this and a lot of subjective material, but its well covered on the internet.
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Re: Can a Leisure Battery be revived?
Thanks for the info Yamanx. Well I needed a new and decent quality charger anyway. I suspect the old one is sulphated - I had no idea of how LB's worked when I purchased it. At least now I can keep any new batteries in good condition and always "ready to go"
So long as I have enough for a few hours tx'ing 100w I'll be happy.
So long as I have enough for a few hours tx'ing 100w I'll be happy.
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Icom IC-7100 + two patchleads and a broken PL
Icom IC-7100 + two patchleads and a broken PL
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Re: Can a Leisure Battery be revived?
Interesting topic, I think my LB has gone the same way as Steve's since it no longer accepts a proper charge and soon drops down to 10.5v under load. I bought it about 3 years ago but it's not really been used that much. I have a reasonable battery charger that does conditioning modes but the battery still won't fast charge and kicks straight back to maintenance mode. The little indicator window on the battery no longer shows green so I think it's basically had it!
Luckily I went to a carboot sale at the weekend and picked up a nearly new LB for just £5 and this one is in top condition with bright green showing on it's indicator. I'll look after it a little better this time around. On the care instructions it states that if you are storing the battery for long periods of time without use it should be top-up charged once every few weeks and not stored on concrete floors! Unfortunately my old battery was out in the garage all winter on the floor. I think I'll store this new one indoors over the winter months to make sure!
Luckily I went to a carboot sale at the weekend and picked up a nearly new LB for just £5 and this one is in top condition with bright green showing on it's indicator. I'll look after it a little better this time around. On the care instructions it states that if you are storing the battery for long periods of time without use it should be top-up charged once every few weeks and not stored on concrete floors! Unfortunately my old battery was out in the garage all winter on the floor. I think I'll store this new one indoors over the winter months to make sure!
Simon, 26TM001 - East Yorkshire, UK
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Founder of Transmission1 & Tango Mike 26 Division Co-ordinator
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Follow me on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@transmission1
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Re: Can a Leisure Battery be revived?
Haha at least I'm not the only one then. I got a replacement last week for about £42 and a nice drive out to Catterick Bridge (Ropers Caravans). Anyway, I have this one on constant charge with the CTEK Charger. So it is always topped up and good to go. I had my doubts about such a set-up but the CTEK is made for this job and unlike other chargers it senses and switches off and then trickles to boost etc. Clever. Cleverer than me anyway.Transmission1 wrote:Interesting topic, I think my LB has gone the same way as Steve's since it no longer accepts a proper charge and soon drops down to 10.5v under load. I bought it about 3 years ago but it's not really been used that much. I have a reasonable battery charger that does conditioning modes but the battery still won't fast charge and kicks straight back to maintenance mode. The little indicator window on the battery no longer shows green so I think it's basically had it!
Luckily I went to a carboot sale at the weekend and picked up a nearly new LB for just £5 and this one is in top condition with bright green showing on it's indicator. I'll look after it a little better this time around. On the care instructions it states that if you are storing the battery for long periods of time without use it should be top-up charged once every few weeks and not stored on concrete floors! Unfortunately my old battery was out in the garage all winter on the floor. I think I'll store this new one indoors over the winter months to make sure!
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Icom IC-7100 + two patchleads and a broken PL
Icom IC-7100 + two patchleads and a broken PL