Just offered 18.5 cents/lb for 8 volt "forklift batteries"

softdown
softdown Solar Expert Posts: 3,898 ✭✭✭✭
in Off Grid Solar & Battery Systems #1
These batteries got turned out to pasture because they no longer did the job needed. I am trying to buy eight at ~ 270 lbs/each.

This is a grand experiment. I can get .20 lb/ for car batteries. .17/ lb for forklift batteries. So....other than sore muscles and a little risk....not a big downside that I see.

Each 270/lb battery has four 2 volt cells. They are showing ~5.5 to 7.5 volts each. Hoping a few are salvageable.
First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
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  • BB.
    BB. Super Moderators, Administrators Posts: 33,613 admin
    #2
    We had a poster a few years ago from Hawaii that bought used forklift batteries (such as 36 volt) and would jumper out "bad cells" to get a 24 volt battery--And was very happy with the results to run his fabrication business off grid.

    -Bill
    Near San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset
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  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 3,898 ✭✭✭✭
    edited August 2016 #3
    The seller is able to get .23/lb. Perhaps this is after shipping and cutting out a middleman. We have arrived at .20 and they will load. I am paying for plastic casing instead of metal casing....bit of a relief there. This has potential.

    Now for the "challenge" of charging 8 volt batteries to see exactly what state they are in. Removed at the same time yet the voltage ratings fluctuated a lot....from ~5.5 to ~7.5.
    First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
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  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 3,898 ✭✭✭✭
    edited September 2016 #4
    Looks like driving down washboard roads somehow brought up the voltage readings:
    1) 6.0    volts
    2) 6.1
    3) 6.2
    4) 6.8
    5) 7.1
    6) 7.9
    7) 8.1
    8) 8.2

    Mfg: 02/08
    Put in service: 08/08
    8 Hr Cap: 440
    S.G.: 1.24 - 1.26....per the spec sheet
    Cost New: $1417 for 270 lb battery. That should buy a decent battery.
    Mfr: EnerSys

    They want to sell me a similar batch of slightly larger batteries that have been sitting longer....I think. I believe they all read 5.6 volts as memory serves.  I got some 5.6 volt readings from the batteries I just bought home. So....jostling down a rough road brought up the voltage readings about .4/volts....from 5.6 volts to 6.0 volts for example.

    Anybody got a bright idea for charging these fellars up? Hoping I can dis-assemble the banks. Each bank hold four 2V cells. I'd like to see what I got before making fancy, expensive interconnects.

    Judging by the S.G. readings.....these batteries may be built with longevity in mind.
    First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
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  • westbranch
    westbranch Solar Expert Posts: 5,183 ✭✭✭✭
    #5
    Why didn't your 'source' sell you the connecting bars ?  If he was the one that dismantled them he should have them...!  And what happened to the metal 'cage' they would have been in?

    do they look like these?  http://www.ebay.com/itm/24-Volt-Forklift-Battery-510-AH-Reconditioned-Battery-12-85-13-/182264426385

     
    KID #51B  4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM
    CL#29032 FW 2126/ 2073/ 2133 175A E-Panel WBjr, 3 x 4s 140W to 24V 900Ah C&D AGM 
    Cotek ST1500W 24V Inverter,OmniCharge 3024,
    2 x Cisco WRT54GL i/c DD-WRT Rtr & Bridge,
    Eu3/2/1000i Gens, 1680W & E-Panel/WBjr to come, CL #647 asleep
    West Chilcotin, BC, Canada
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  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 3,898 ✭✭✭✭
    edited September 2016 #6
    Each bank puts out eight volts.......four 2 volt cells. There are bus bars between the four cells.

    Perhaps there is a simple solution. I have been in hyper drive for the past few days. One emergency after another.

    They came in a plastic cage. Seven of the eight came with a 3/0 cable.

    They are forklift type batteries though not used on a forklift. Just a little to heavy to move by hand.
    First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
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