[Boatanchors] GEL CELLS

[hwhall at compuserve.com]

Were these lead-acid types or perhaps NiMH or NiCads? I'm not an expert on this....but if lead-acid types, it may be that they have "sulfated" (sulphated?) from sitting unused. I've seen something online that such batteries can sometimes be rejuvenated by applying a higher than normal charging voltage. My notes here from that say for a 12v battery, raise the charging voltage to 28-33 volts and limit current to about 200 mA. Then it said "if not charging within 3 to 5 days, the battery is not recoverable." Some other sources advocate for pulsed charging techniques that seem to get a bit complicated.
 

 Wayne
WB4OGM

 

-----Original Message-----
From: John via Boatanchors <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
To: boatanchors <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wed, Jan 21, 2015 12:58 pm
Subject: [Boatanchors] GEL CELLS


Greetings,
 
Several years ago, I bought a case of gell cells at a hamfest.   They  were 
rated at 12V, 7A.   They were supposedly "recent pulls"  having full 
capacity. Today I needed one as a replacement in a UPS unit and  found that only 

one was at full terminal voltage and would work in the UPS.  Several others 
were at 6V and the remainder essentially dead.
 
Does anyone know of a safe way to restore these batteries or should I take  
them to the recycle place?
 
Thanks and 73, 
 
 John,  W4AWM
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