Epsom Salts

[tjm]

Anyone ever recondition a battery suing Epsom salts?

 

[Timd32]

No but sounds like it's been around for a while.

https://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/additives

From that link:

Extending the service life of an aging battery can be useful as additives are cheap, readily available and worth the experiment for a handyman. These salts may reduce the internal resistance to give a sulfated battery a few extra months of life. Suitable additives are magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt), caustic soda and EDTA (EDTA is a crystalline acid used in industry).

When using Epsom salt, follow these easy steps to treat most starter batteries. Heat about 250ml (8 fl oz or a cup) of distilled water to about 66ºC (150ºF), mix in as much Epson salt as the water can absorb (a few tablespoons) and stir until dissolved. Avoid using too much salt because heavy concentration increases corrosion of the lead plates and the internal connectors.

When pouring the warm solution into the battery, the electrolyte level will raise. Do not remove electrolyte, and only add as much additive as the battery can take. Be careful not to overfill. Do not place un-dissolved Epsom salt directly into the battery because the substance does not dissolve well. In place of Epsom salt, try adding a pinch of caustic soda. Charge the battery after service. The results are not instantaneous and it may take a month for the treatment to work. The outcome is not guaranteed.

 

[petersonj]

The results are not instantaneous and it may take a month for the treatment to work. The outcome is not guaranteed.

Not a whole lot of incentive there to risk the chance of losing expensive electronics while you wait a month or so for something that may or may not happen.

- John

 

[Blakers]

Might be worth trying on an old tractor battery that has little hope anyway. At least it won't hurt anything. Not sure I'd try it on a good truck.