How to extend the life of my old 6v batteries

[mikestock]

I have a set of 4 T-105 Trojan batteries that, so far, seem to be holding up. I originally installed them when we were boondocking more but for the last 4 years they have been stressed very little. I keep the water checked regularly and my multistage charger is constantly working, as I keep the trailer in storage with AC available.

Just wondering if there is anything else that will help extend their life. When I bought them they were around $70 each but now they appear to cost more than twice that amount, so I need to care for these as well as possible.

[Pauljdav]

mikestock wrote:
Do you just top off the cells with acid as needed or do you turn them over and dump the old acid? I wouldn't be surprised if these 4 batteries held more than a gallon of acid. I have used over half a gallon of distilled water just to top them off and no plates were showing.

I just use distilled water. Unless your batteries boiled over you did not lose acid.

My boat batteries are 10 years old and still strong. My rv batteries are 4 years old and I keep them topped up.

[mikestock]

"Equalization session"? Sorry about not understanding.

[NinerBikes]

To increase their life, you should send them to me and replace with new units. One man's trash is another man's treasure. 😉

[westend]

If they've been on a steady diet of float charge, a good equalization session may put some more life back into them.

A good hydrometer will let you know what the state is pretty quick and is a good tool to have for battery monitoring.

[Golden_HVAC]

EDTA RESTORES SULFATED BATTERIES. EDTA tetra sodium salt, $16/lb. plus $8 S&H for 1st lb. or $10 S&H for 2-10 lb. Trailhead Supply, 325 E 1165 N, Orem, UT 84057, (801) 225 3931, email: trailheadsupply@ webtv.net, info at: www.webspawner.com/ users/edta • HP13508

I would say that 1 teaspoon of EDTA added to each cell is sufficient. In Home Power Magazine issue #20 and 21, they where working with L16 batteries, 350 amp hour 120 pound 6 volt huge battery. They used 1 tablespoon per battery that was already in poor condition. The one battery recovered much of it's original capacity after several weeks, then about a month of charging from a rarely used trailer with a 5 amp solar system on it. That battery was actually put into the main battery bank at Home Power Headquarters, when they had a 11 year old battery fail.

Fred.

[Golden_HVAC]

This guy has a more positive outlook on EDTA, and how it is used to prolong a battery.

Quote from Home Power Magazine:

EDTA RESTORES SULFATED BATTERIES. EDTA tetra sodium salt, $16/lb. plus $8 S&H for 1st lb. or $10 S&H for 2-10 lb. Trailhead Supply, 325 E 1165 N, Orem, UT 84057, (801) 225 3931, email: trailheadsupply@ webtv.net, • HP13508

Fred/

[CA_Traveler]

Pro and con opinions on EDPA. This one is con.

[mikestock]

Do you just top off the cells with acid as needed or do you turn them over and dump the old acid? I wouldn't be surprised if these 4 batteries held more than a gallon of acid. I have used over half a gallon of distilled water just to top them off and no plates were showing.

[Chicken_McNugge]

mikestock wrote:
I give up. What is EDTA?

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid

[mikestock]

I give up. What is EDTA?

[harold1946]

Sounds like you are doing everything right.

[Golden_HVAC]

My original set of Trojan batteries lasted for more than 13 years. When my RV was 13 years old, I gave that set to another person, who kept using them, I have no idea how long.

Keeping them topped off with water is critical. So is keeping them full, and recharging them soon after they have been discharged.

Some say that EDTA is good for batteries, I found a advertiser at HomePower.com Magazine, and they sell enough for a set of golf cart batteries for about $13.

Fred.