Battery Reconditioning, No Longer A Skeptic

Posted on October 20, 2011 by admin

Today I tested the two deep cycle batteries that I reconditioned. They are Walmart Everstart batteries. These are not high end batteries by any means. Usually I’m lucky to get five full years out of them.

This set will be five years old this month. I checked the cells with a hydrometer, and they showed the electrolyte solution to be weak. With a full charge, the cells were out of the green on the hydrometer bulb. They were in the narrow white area between green and red.

I use these batteries to run the Motor Guide 50 pound thrust trolling motor on my 18 foot fishing boat. This is the time of year they get used the hardest. This time of year I fish below lock and dam #12 on the Mississippi River.

I’m fishing all day, trolling for Sauger and Walleye, using only the trolling motor. I’m always in the current, and the temperature’s often just above freezing. Batteries don’t hold their charge as well in colder temperatures.

I know these batteries were about to fail, because of their age, and past experience. I went out on the river today to give them a good test.

After I reconditioned them, I charged them for 48 hours with my boats on board charger-maintainer. I wanted to give them a good draw down before I recharged them for the first time after reconditioning.

I ran the trolling motor on high for 3 hours straight. I covered 9 miles of river. I ran 4 miles in a backwater against a mild current and brisk wind. I then ran 5 miles of river with the current. The end of that run took me back to the boat landing where I launched.

I was very pleasantly surprised by the performance. When I got back to the boat launch , I still had full power. In the past, I would have never gotten that kind of performance out of batteries in their fifth year.

Judging by the performance, these batteries must be close to 100%. What these batteries do over the next two months will be the true test.

At this point, my skepticism of whether or not reconditioning works, is evaporating. If they pass the test of time, reconditioning can be a great boon to alternative energy enthusiast.

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Lead Acid Battery Reconditioning, How It’s Done

Posted on October 19, 2011 by admin

Once you’ve determined a battery is salvagable, here’s how it’s done.

Safety first! Sulfuric acid is dangerous. In can cause serious burns if it comes in contact with the skin. It can cause blindness if splashed in the eyes. It will also destroy fabric, especially cotton.

It’s best to use rubber gloves, and safety glasses when reconditioning a battery. It’s also a good idea to wear old clothing or an apron. Remove your watch, and all jewelry.

1. The first step, is to clean any debris and dirt from the top of the battery. Then remove the caps. Carefully pry them loose with a screwdriver. Be careful where you set them, they will likely have acid on the bottom of them.

2. Next, you need to remove some of the electrolyte ( sulfuric acid ), if the battery is full, only remove enough to allow for the reconditioning solution. The reconditioning solution calls for 1/2 quart of distilled water and 7 to 8 ounces of epsom salts. Use a measuring cup to measure the amount you remove. Two cups equals 1/2 quart.

A large hydrometer works well for removing electrolyte. A turkey baster with a piece of tubing on it also works well. Remove the same amount of electrolyte from each cell.

Some of the articles I’ve read, say to dump the electrolyte. I would only do this as a last resort. I don’t recommend dumping a corrosive liquid. Dumping would also make it hard to measure the amount removed.

3. Next you need to mix the reconditioning solution. Heat 1/2 quart of distilled water to at least 150 degrees. If you don’t have a thermometer, heat the distilled water to just below boiling. Stir in 7 to 8 ounces of epsom salts ( magnesium sulfate ). Stir the solution untill all the crystals are dissolved.

4. Pour equal amounts of the reconditioning solution into each cell. This can be done with a measuring cup and plastic funnel. A hydrometer, or turkey baster also work well for this. A felt tip marker can be used to mark the barrel of either one, so they can be filled to the same level each time.

5. Add distilled water to the battery if the solution doesn’t top it off. Replace the caps, making sure they are pressed all the way down. Vigorously shake the battery, or rock it back and forth. You need to mix the reconditioning solution throughout the cells.

6. Next, thoroughly clean the battery terminals, and charge the battery with an automatic, or trickle charger, for 24 hours.

7. Next, drain the battery down. If the battery is in a vehicle, the headlights will work well for this. If the battery is not in a vehicle, a spotlight or headlight can be connected to it. Don’t drain the battery all the way down, just until the headlights are brown.

8. The last step is to recharge the battery, and put it to use. It may take 2 weeks for it to return to 100%.

Reconditioned batteries can help reduce the initial cost of a green energy system.

Posted in Battery Reconditioning, DIY Wind Turbines, Green Energy, Home Made Wind Generators, Home Wind Power Generators, Residential Wind Generators | Tagged | Leave a comment

More On Lead Acid Battery Reconditioning

Posted on October 18, 2011 by admin

The first consideration for reconditioning a battery is, is the battery  recondition-able.

The battery needs to be put on a charger and charged. If it has 10 volts or more after charging, it may be in good enough shape for reconditioning with epsom salts.

Batteries that will not charge to at least 10 volts, are very likely too far gone for reconditioning.

Epsom salts ( chemically known as magnesium sulfate), work by returning the sulfides that build up on the battery plates, back into solution.

A hydrometer can measure the specific gravity of the sulfuric acid in a battery. The lower the specific gravity, the weaker the acid solution, and the higher the amount of sulfides built up on the battery plates.

Epsom salts reverse this state by putting the sulfides back into solution as sulfuric acid. The stronger the solution, as well as the higher specific gravity, allow the battery to charge quicker, and hold a charge longer.

Using this method can extend the life of a battery up to ten years. It can be done up to three times. It makes taking control of a portion of your energy needs with alternative green energy, much more economical.

Please check in tomorrow and we will walk you through actually reconditioning a lead acid battery.

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Lead Acid Battery Reconditioning

Posted on October 17, 2011 by admin

I’ve read all the how to’s about lead acid battery reconditioning that I could find. Particularly, about desulfation with epsom salts.

I’ve stayed with the free articles I could find on the internet. There are people selling how to plans, but there seems to be plenty of free plans that show you how to get the job done.

There are also people ready to sell you their battery reconditioning compounds. The chances are, these enterprising individuals are selling nothing more than epsom salts.

I’ve also watched numerous videos, about reviving lead acid batteries on youtube. They have also been a good source of information.

The bottom line is: the process is simple enough, and seems to work well. This can be a great resource for those who want to develop their own energy production. This could greatly reduce the cost of an overall geen energy system.

Check in tomorrow, for details of how it can be done.

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Collect Your Energy Credits

Posted on October 16, 2011 by admin

If you have equipment that generates wind energy, you are eligible for a tax credit to reduce the amount of tax you owe. Wind energy tax credits fit into a larger category called renewable energy tax credits.

The government offers these tax credits to encourage investment in renewable energy sources, which reduce dependence on fossil fuels, including foreign oil.

Credits are more powerful than tax deductions because they directly reduce your tax burden dollar-for-dollar, rather than just reduce the amount of income subject to tax. To claim them, you do your taxes as normal and then apply the credits.

There may also be credits available in your state. To see what your state has to offer, visit this web site: http://www.dsireusa.org/

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Don’t Be Fooled Because Something Is Patented.

Posted on October 11, 2011 by admin

The Snake Oil Salesman may have a unique way of making his snake oil. It may be a way that hasn’t be done before. That process may not have been previously patented.

Because his process is unique, and hasn’t been patented, he can apply for a patent to protect others from duplicating his process.

There is a person out there, that claims to have three patents on a magnetic motor, that will give you enough power to run your household for free.

This may be true, that the person holds three patents on the process to build this motor. That doesn’t mean that the motor actually works. It only means that three parts of his building process are patent protected.

None of these Snake Oil Salesmen are selling magnetic motors, they are only selling the plans to build one. If they worked, why wouldn’t they be making millions selling the motors.

They have testimonials from people telling you it only took so long to build the motor. They don’t have testimonials from people who have eliminated their utility bills.

By guaranteeing their plans work by offering a total refund, they assume the appearance of legitimacy. They know they will have to make some refunds. They also know they will make money because:

They know a number of people will impulse buy the plans, but never actually attempt to build. They know a number of people will build, but never finish the project. They know a number of people will get frustrated and give up because it doesn’t work. They may not ask for a refund, because they don’t want to admit they were scammed.

The bottom line is, if these motors worked, there wouldn’t be nuclear power plants, gasoline motors driving our cars, or fuel cells and solar panels on the International Space Station.

If they worked, you wouldn’t see wind turbines dotting the landscape.

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Zero Point Magnetic Motors, a Broken Promise

Posted on October 10, 2011 by admin

Free electricity; power your whole house at no cost. Remember what it is, if it sounds too good to be true.

I’m no spring chicken, I remember the first energy crisis it the early seventies. I remember gas stations being forced to close on Sundays by government mandate.

I remember lines at the gas stations because people wanted to top off their tanks before the stations quota run out.

I also remember seeing literature for the perpetual motion machine, (magnetic motor) at that time.

The idea is that because like poles of permanent magnets repel each other, that repulsion can be used to drive a motor.

Permanent magnets can be aligned in a stator, and rotor, in a manner that will allow them to stay in motion for long periods of time.

They will stay in motion until the energy used to set them in motion is lost to friction. Because they release the initial energy at a very slow rate, they first appear as though they may be running with no input power.

They will turn a generator, but only to the point that the energy used to set them in motion is recovered, minus the energy lost to friction.

The Snake Oil Salesmen claim the energy companies have kept this technology secret. If it actually worked, they would be the first to develop it. If they could sell power that cost them noting to produce, why wouldn’t they?

The Snake Oil Salesmen are standing in line to sell you the plans to build one. If they truly worked, someone would have already made billions, building and selling them.

If they worked, I would be selling them instead of home wind turbines.

Check in tomorrow, I still have more to say about these.

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Beware of the Snake Oil Salesman

Posted on October 9, 2011 by admin

With rising energy costs, and concerns about global warming, many people a looking for alternative energy sources.

Manmade and natural catastrophes, such as the gulf oil spill, and the nuclear disaster caused by the earth quake in Japan, have heightened the need for alternative, earth friendly energy resources.

Most people know about solar and wind power.

The number of providers for home wind turbines, and solar power, are growing rapidly, and there are many products to choose from.

Likewise, where’s there’s a heightened interest in something, there will be that element of sociality that wants to take advantage of your interest.

Remember the adage, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

In this case I’m talking about zero point magnetic generators. Please check in tomorrow and I’ll go into this scam in more detail.

If you want to see something that is proven, and currently selling world wide, check this out.

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A Different Twist on Fish

Posted on October 7, 2011 by admin

First and foremost, I’m a fisherman. I work because that’s the only way I can fish.

To my fellow fishermen, I’m sure there’s no shortage of the different ways you’ve prepared fish. Here’s something simple and easy, that many of you may not have tried.

The ingredients are milk, yellow mustard, and your favorite dry batter.

In a bowl, mix ¼ cup yellow mustard with ¾ cup milk. Pat dry your fillets with a cloth or paper towel and then moisten them in the milk and mustard.

Roll the fillets in your favorite dry batter mix, and fry them.

I think you’ll find the outcome quite tasty. You can adjust the amount of mustard to your liking.

When I’m not fishing, I’m doing my part to promote green energy by selling affordable, high quality, home wind turbines.

If you’d like to learn more about small wind power turbines, visit windgeneratorspro.com

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Residential Wind Generators, Power to the People

Posted on August 24, 2010 by admin

Residential wind generators are not for everyone.  But I believe a great potential exists for much of rural America. This article will explore a different concept on wind farm potential, home wind power generators, and ownership of a portion of your energy needs.

Great strides have been made in industrial wind farm construction and integration; the potential at the industrial level is being thoroughly analyzed. It’s the cheapest alternative energy solution we have to date.

Even so, there are some disadvantages to industrial wind farms.

  1. They take years to build.
  2. They take up acres of ground that likely had other economic uses.
  3. They require new grid infrastructure for power distribution.
  4. They tie into a grid that is 100 years old in many locations, the longer the transmission distances the greater the energy losses.
  5. They cost millions to build and in most cases are Power Company owned.
  6. The average person has little control.

Now lets examine the aspects of a different concept in wind power generators.

Strides have also been made in residential wind generators. There is a full range available. You can buy a home wind power generator that will power the whole house if you have the capital and right location.

If you want to build a home wind power generator, there are also options to choose from.

Wind power generators can cost thousands of dollars, or you can find a home wind power generator for sale for as little as five hundred.

Wind power generators in America need to be viewed from all angles and economic levels.

What we feel is most significant is that the average person in the right location can start generating a portion of their energy needs. An entry point cost of five hundred dollars for residential wind generators, with state and federal incentives that can be as high as 30%, is very appealing.

You can’t generate a lot of power with a five hundred-dollar investment, but it’s a good starting point. The more people participating with residential wind generators, the faster the technology will advance and the greater the impact will be.

Lets look at some of the advantages of home wind power generators and the ways they can be used.

  1. They can be installed and producing power in a day, not years.
  2. They can be mounted on existing structures. Rural America has thousands upon thousands of agricultural structures in the form of silos, windmill towers and grain elevators that could be retrofit with a variety of home wind power generators.
  3. The existing power grid is capable of handling the power without modification.
  4. Because the power is generated at its point of use there is no transmission loss.
  5. An easy cost entry point allows the average person to participate.
  6. You own it the equity is yours.

7.    You now have control over a portion of your energy needs.

Al Gore used the Global Warming tipping point as a tool to educate and motivate the world to take action on carbon emissions. His strategy was effective to a point, but much controversy remains about Global Warming with many skeptics.

There’s another tipping point that can’t be ignored. It doesn’t matter if you’re a skeptic or not. If your energy cost rise 20% a year you will become motivated. When gas hits $4.00 a gallon we will demand better energy solutions.

This is our first article on residential wind generators. In the coming months we will document the number of agricultural structures in one rural county of Illinois that could be utilized for residential wind generators.

That county happens to be Carroll, which may be the new home of the Guantanamo Bay Detainees. Our location is four miles from the Thomson Prison.

If you want to know what’s happening in American wind power, please visit http://awea.org/, They can help you decide if a home wind power generator is right for you. Residential wind generators must comply with all local zoning laws.

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