Model Boat Mayhem

Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => Batteries & Chargers => Topic started by: BJ on August 11, 2007, 03:33:13 pm

Title: Batteries and Recycling
Post by: BJ on August 11, 2007, 03:33:13 pm
Just collected from the Customer Services desk at my local Sainsbury food store some envelopes which can be used to send batteries to a recycling centre. Even better is that these are free and FREEPOST. :D
All sizes from Button up to D cells are accepted.
It does say on the envelope that they cannot accept "vehicle or power tool batteries" but if you breakdown a battery pack to its individual cells then.... ;). Each bag will accept about 12 x AA without problem.
Title: Re: Batteries and Recycling
Post by: Ghost in the shell on August 11, 2007, 05:09:19 pm
They propbably dont accept vehicle batteries because of their wet acid content, however some though not all power tool batteries have individual AA cells in one big casing, so stripping the guts out of them wont be hard.

Do they also recycle lithium-polymer and lithium ion cells, as some of the new powertools, especially these draper and bosch micro-screw drivers have a 3.7 1s lithium type battery in them?

oddly Stoke on Trent's waste recycle service doesnt have a recycle for nickel cells, I asked about recycling them because of the heavy metal content, "stick them in the wheelie bins and they will be incinerated" was the reply  :o
Title: Re: Batteries and Recycling
Post by: malcolmfrary on August 11, 2007, 10:27:52 pm
If the recyclers don't know about LiPos, they soon will.  We will know when they know by observing the mushroom shaped cloud.
Title: Re: Batteries and Recycling
Post by: BJ on August 13, 2007, 01:14:53 pm
There seems to be no stipulation on types EXCEPT for the stated car and power tool types. Obviously Gel cells would be excluded as well , most are too big anyway to get in the smallish bag.
The big bang will be at Wymondham, Norfolk, if there is one.
Title: Re: Batteries and Recycling
Post by: R2-D2 on August 13, 2007, 02:31:06 pm
I would have thought they would have had thousands of lithium-polymer  by now as they are used in Phones and in some lap tops , where do you think the Technology came from ?? not millions put in to developing model products . we allways get the by product

Luke
Title: Re: Batteries and Recycling
Post by: kiteman1 on August 13, 2007, 03:28:29 pm
Thanks for the info on Sainsbury's and AA's BJ.  I am just throwing out a load of really old stuff and was looking for an eco-friendly way of disposing of mine.  ;D ;D  I'll get a couple of bags tomorrow.
Title: Re: Batteries and Recycling
Post by: Martin (Admin) on August 14, 2007, 02:40:15 pm
On a slightly different note.....

Paper battery offers future power
 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6945732.stm


Title: Re: Batteries and Recycling
Post by: Ghost in the shell on September 03, 2007, 02:41:30 pm
intreresting idea that Martin
Title: Re: Batteries and Recycling
Post by: Kmot on September 03, 2007, 05:49:31 pm
LiPo batteries can be disposed of in the rubbish as they are environmentally safe:

http://thunderpowerrc.com/PDF/DISPOSAL-OF-LIPO-BATTERIES.pdf
Title: Re: Batteries and Recycling
Post by: Ghost in the shell on September 03, 2007, 05:56:52 pm
LiPo batteries can be disposed of in the rubbish as they are environmentally safe:

http://thunderpowerrc.com/PDF/DISPOSAL-OF-LIPO-BATTERIES.pdf

that is until they set lite to your trash!
Title: Re: Batteries and Recycling
Post by: malcolmfrary on September 03, 2007, 10:03:06 pm
Following the link, LiPos need an awful lot of work before they actually become eco-friendly.  I would predict the eco-irresponsible alternative of seeing how far they could be slung out to sea would become popular. :(
Title: Re: Batteries and Recycling
Post by: Beachcomber on September 03, 2007, 10:17:30 pm
and would that be waiting for the big bang   ;D
Title: Re: Batteries and Recycling
Post by: Ghost in the shell on September 04, 2007, 11:22:04 pm
beachy, lipo + salt water = a very lively reaction id imagine :)
Title: Re: Batteries and Recycling
Post by: JayDee on September 07, 2007, 05:39:37 pm
Hello ,
 Can a Sealed Lead Acid Battery be used " upside down ", IE with the terminals at the bottom?.
Would it affect the performance, or cause it to leak ??.
Just been asked and I dont know the answer !!!
John.  :(
Title: Re: Batteries and Recycling
Post by: Ghost in the shell on September 07, 2007, 05:44:59 pm
jd, the lead acid in a gel cell is carried in some kind of carrier, I have taken the tops off a gel cell and tipped it upside down, NOTHING CAME OUT they do however do not recommend completely upside down.

read here, :)

http://www.yuasa-battery.co.uk/industrial/np.html
Title: Re: Batteries and Recycling
Post by: JayDee on September 07, 2007, 07:18:39 pm
Hello Mark,
Thanks for the info, never used them myself, mate of mine asked if it could be done!.
Cheers,
 John.  :D
Title: Re: Batteries and Recycling
Post by: malcolmfrary on September 07, 2007, 09:36:43 pm
Following the link, it does say that the battery can be used in any orientation, BUT it must not be used upside down continuously.  From that I would say that tipping it upside down breifly will do noharm, but it is not a good idea to mount it that way.  It might not leak, but it might stop being a battery.
Title: Re: Batteries and Recycling
Post by: wombat on September 07, 2007, 09:39:45 pm
Sealed Lead Acid batteries can be operated upside down - however you should not charge the battery inverted as it will affect the venting system. The batteries in both Aziz and Sally-Anne are on their sides and charge happily in that orientation.
Title: Re: Batteries and Recycling
Post by: Ghost in the shell on September 09, 2007, 02:36:04 pm
celestia's battery is also at 90 degrees, not an issue