commercially reconditioned fork lift batteries?

dkehn

There are a few sources for commercially reconditioned industrial batteries w/in driving distance of us. The savings would be substantial over new. Any thoughts/ experience about this (48 volt 24-85-25 1020 ah capacity $2100.00)
Can the commercial style battery connecters be used to connect to system?

James

Re: commercially reconditioned fork lift batteries?

I would ask specifically what proceedures they employe to recondition. I have seen a few cases where a recondition was nothing more than a equalize charge, load test and clean-up of exterior case. I could be way off, but unless the batteries are quite new, even for a reconditioned battery, that price sounds a little high to me...or maybe I have just received some great deals in the past. I have picked up AGM batteries swapped out from the auto mfg. plants for $600.00 that were like new. I was even given the load test spec result with the purchase!
Regarding the connections, are you talking about the Anderson type connectors that slide apart?

dkehn

Re: commercially reconditioned fork lift batteries?

yes the slide apart what types of reconditioning would you recommend?

mike95490

Re: commercially reconditioned fork lift batteries?

dkehn wrote: »

yes the slide apart what types of reconditioning would you recommend?

Dump upside down, rinse out sediment that shorts and kills cells, and then refill, recharge, and 3 or 4 full test cycles to verify they are working.

Armor All and terminal grease is not reconditioned.

RCinFLA

Re: commercially reconditioned fork lift batteries?

Would not recommend dumping electrolyte or turning upside down. You don't know state of sulfation and turning upside down will run the risk dumping any shed material into the separator area potentially causing shorts.

If within driving distance then get yourself a good DVM and bulb float hydrometer to measure specific gravity and cell voltages. Know how to decipher the date code pressed into case. If beyond five years old potential value is poor.

mike95490

Re: commercially reconditioned fork lift batteries?

i'm sepaking of FACTORY reconditioning. I'm not picking up a forklift battery for any reason. (well, 1600# of reasons)

stephendv

Re: commercially reconditioned fork lift batteries?

Batteries are consumables, they will degrade with age. Furthermore they can be damaged through improper use and even if the appear to work properly after a recondition, there's no way to know how long they'll continue to work. At the price you mention, they don't seem like a substantial saving and IMO not worth taking the risk.

For double the money you could buy a brand new set with guarantee that if properly looked after will give you 15+ years of service.