Model Boat Mayhem

Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => Batteries & Chargers => Topic started by: kendalboatsman on April 10, 2007, 07:18:05 pm

Title: Advice about SLA batteries.
Post by: kendalboatsman on April 10, 2007, 07:18:05 pm

I have got a couple of new 6v SLAs I bought about 7 years ago, they are still in their packaging and have been stored away. Will they still be OK or should I bin them and buy new?

Thanks
Clive :)

Title: Re: Advice about SLA batteries.
Post by: ministeve on April 10, 2007, 08:27:05 pm

i would deffo get rid they will be in deep discharge

Title: Re: Advice about SLA batteries.
Post by: BarryM on April 10, 2007, 08:43:05 pm

Probably dud buts what's to lose from giving them a a couple of trickle charges just to make sure?

Title: Re: Advice about SLA batteries.
Post by: malcolmfrary on April 13, 2007, 11:51:44 am

When trying to bring a suspect battery back to life, its best to avoid automatic chargers, as they have a habit of automatically deciding to not bother.

Title: Re: Advice about SLA batteries.
Post by: Model Boats Website on April 13, 2007, 01:06:18 pm

Try this:

• Trickle charging the batteries at about 10mA for a couple of days.
• Discharge them (put a bulb on it or something) until they reach about 5v.
• Charge them up again at the normal rate (about 0.5A) for about 6 hours.

The chances are that if the batteries have been lying discharged for a few years they will be beyond redemption, however I would give this a go anyway it is possible they will still be ok.

Title: Re: Advice about SLA batteries.
Post by: kendalboatsman on April 13, 2007, 04:14:33 pm

Thanks for the advice, I do know another trick, through my trade as an Electric Motor Rewinder, of flashing the battery. So will try that if it doesn't work.

Clive :)

Title: Re: Advice about SLA batteries.
Post by: kendalboatsman on April 22, 2007, 04:07:03 pm

Things look good so far. I found my old charger (swordsman til Dawn) and put the SLA on charge and it has charged fully so now I need to finish a boat to test it in.

I also paid a visit to Maplins at Erdington, Birmingham for a spare just in case. 6V 4.5Ah for a measly £5.99. Got two local model shops, one wanted a tenner and the other said "go to Maplins" because they didn't stock them.

Clive :)

Title: Re: Advice about SLA batteries.
Post by: DickyD on April 22, 2007, 04:19:06 pm

Try these : http://www.component-shop.co.uk/html/lead-acid.html

Your battery £4.60 plus postage

Richard ;)

PS Also very efficient

Title: Re: Advice about SLA batteries.
Post by: kendalboatsman on April 22, 2007, 04:25:30 pm

Hi Richard,

I just checked it and apparently it is £4.90 including postage :)

Next one can come from there!

How is your Schutze behaving now? Mtroniks do an add on to plug in between an esc and the receiver to kill interference.

Clive

Title: Re: Advice about SLA batteries.
Post by: DickyD on April 22, 2007, 04:36:11 pm

Took it out with the fleet today and it behaved impecably thanks Clive.
Have no idea what was wrong but it seems to have cured itself.
I have used Component Shop several times and they are cheap and very efficient.

Richard ;)