[Milsurplus] [Boatanchors] 12 volt dynamotors & vibrapacks (and rotary inverters?)

[Sheldon Daitch]

Mike,

I suspect the shipping issues for batteries might be a
combination of both ignorance of what may or may
not be shipped, how it must be packaged and marked
to be legal for shipping. not having or not wanting to deal
with the required shipping materials and in some cases,
very possibly simply wanting to err on the safe side.

This link to FedEx discusses how to ship lead acid
batteries and how they must  be packed. 

http://images.fedex.com/us/packaging/guides/BatteryShipments_fxcom.pdf

I note it discusses FedEx Express, so that might be their
ground service.

Another link regarding battery shipment is here:

http://www.concordebattery.com/transportation.php

Section 601.10.19.4 of the Domestic Mail Manual has
an interesting text:

10.19.4 Nonspillable Wet Electric Storage Batteries
A battery containing liquid electrolyte is prohibited from mailing 
unless the battery
casing is completely sealed to prevent the liquid corrosive from 
spilling during
handling. Nonspillable batteries with UN2800 are prohibited in 
international mail, but
may be sent as domestic mail via air or surface transportation under the 
following
conditions:
a. The nonspillable battery must be protected from short circuits, 
surrounded with
sufficient cushioning material, and securely packaged in a strong 
fiberboard box
that serves as the outer shipping container.
b. The outer shipping container must be marked “NONSPILLABLE BATTERY,
UN2800” on the address side.
c. The nonspillable battery must be capable of withstanding the 
vibration and
pressure differential tests cited in 49 CFR 173.159(d)(i) and (ii).
d. Only one nonspillable battery is allowed per mailpiece and the weight 
of the
mailpiece cannot exceed 25 pounds.


Note re the DMM text language.:

A battery containing liquid electrolyte is prohibited from mailing 
unless the battery
casing is completely sealed to prevent the liquid corrosive from 
spilling during
handling.

One might conclude a dry charge battery does NOT contain liquid electrolyte
and therefore is mailable.

Real world.  Some years ago, I needed two 6-volt lantern batteries, similar
to:

http://www.officebella.com/images/images/DURMN908_1_1.JPG

Allied Electronics refused to mail them to me, citing postal 
restrictions.  I
researched it and my readings of the DMM and 49CFR did not prohibit
mailing of two lantern batteries.  Other batter sellers were glad to mail
them.  On the other hand, Allied would have easily mailed far larger packs
of packaged D cell batteries, with much more stored energy.

Bottom line, I think what I am getting at is too many suppliers aren't fully
aware of what could be shipped, and don't have or won't get approved
shipping materials, therefore they simply claim the product is unshippable.

73
Sheldon


Michael Tauson wrote:
> On Sat, Oct 3, 2009 at 3:20 PM,  <jcoward5452 at aol.com> wrote:
>   
>> I can still get 6V auto batteries at Kragen Auto for my '64 VW
>> Bus.Also,Batteries Plus has a line of sealed lead acid types for older car
>> enthusiasts.
>>     
>
> Yep, and they're available here.  Shipped on special order dry (not
> dry charged, just dry) from the mainland by surface shipment because
> they apparently can't travel by air over the ocean.  (Why would a
> completely dry battery qualify for hazmat rules?)  My neighbor has a
> '62 bus and recently told me the fun he had trying to get a new
> battery for it last year.  Our local friendly NAPA deal has sulphuric
> acid so he was able to fill it locally without problem.  Even sealed
> lead acid batteries can be a problem, I guess because they can be
> damaged in shipment but aren't they gel cells so leakproof?
>
> Best regards,
>
> Michael, WH7HG (living in a land of really weird weirdness)
>