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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2020 14:09:46 GMT
Some scrotes took my dinghy about 10 days ago. I got the dinghy back it was tied up opposite the next day. They didn't take it far but there was a car battery in it which I had assumed was stolen as it was missing.
turns out it wasn't stolen. I've just spotted it in the cut.
The obvious question is after ten days in the cut is it remotely worth retrieving ? It was a pretty new one - 40ah Oldham battery model 063.
I'm just not sure if these modern liquid lead acid batteries have any openings in them. Initially I assumed it would be nackered but thinking about it not so sure as it may be sealed with some sort of pressure blow off system. The terminals look corroded. I guess it will have created a circuit with the water and discharged itself.
It's a bit awkward to retrieve as quite deep and the handle is not sticking up but if it's liable to recharge ok I might go and get it.
Any thoughts ?
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Post by Telemachus on May 6, 2020 14:19:49 GMT
I doubt it is completely sealed, As you say, there may be some kind of valve but I think it would have to work both ways, ie as well as letting gassing out, to let air in in response to increased outside pressure /reduction in internal temperature. When submerged, pressure will be high outside and low inside. So I suspect it will have some canal water in it.
Worst case scenario is you might get £10 from a scrappy for it!
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Post by JohnV on May 6, 2020 14:59:40 GMT
Worst case scenario is you might get £10 from a scrappy for it! except I think that is probably the only scenario
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2020 16:21:22 GMT
If its not so old perhaps the lead plates are not oxidised...perhaps there's a vendor who would oblige with fresh acid?
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2020 16:32:14 GMT
Must be worth something as a paperweight.
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2020 16:42:25 GMT
Worst case scenario is you might get £10 from a scrappy for it! except I think that is probably the only scenario That's rather what I thought. Except that being such a small block it might not even be worth a tenner. I had another look and a prod with the boathook it's awkward to get it because of the handle being folded down. I think it's going to be staying where it is. Not sure whether to be pleased it wasn't a theft situation (have had battery stolen from dinghy before) or sad that someone would be so brainless as to just dump it in the cut.
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2020 16:51:10 GMT
except I think that is probably the only scenario ... in the cut. Are you not on the river presently?
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Post by Isambard Kingdom Brunel on May 6, 2020 16:59:49 GMT
As a responsible boater, shouldn't you retrieve it anyway?
I have had a sealed lead acid battery underwater for 4 months when a battery box filled up over winter.
It had not taken in any water that I could see looking at the silly magic eye and it is still working fine.
The brass terminals and their steel bolts were corroded away on the positive post, electrolysis I assume. It was not flat, it was in a battery bank on a solar panel. I am really surprised but its perfectly OK.
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2020 17:13:12 GMT
As a responsible boater, shouldn't you retrieve it anyway? I have had a sealed lead acid battery underwater for 4 months when a battery box filled up over winter. It had not taken in any water that I could see looking at the silly magic eye and it is still working fine. The brass terminals and their steel bolts were corroded away on the positive post, electrolysis I assume. It was not flat, it was in a battery bank on a solar panel. I am really surprised but its perfectly OK. That's interesting. I did have a look at getting it back and I know about the whole saving the planet issue but it wasn't me who dropped it in. Still if it would recharge ok I'd be happy to get it back. Maybe a trip with the keb is in order next time I am out in the dink.
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Post by JohnV on May 6, 2020 17:39:11 GMT
I have had a sealed lead acid battery underwater for 4 months when a battery box filled up over winter. It had not taken in any water that I could see looking at the silly magic eye and it is still working fine. that really does amaze me
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Post by Isambard Kingdom Brunel on May 6, 2020 18:44:39 GMT
And me!
I can only assume that the tiny holes in the battery ends that have removable plugs in when supplied new are so small that they retained an air bubble.
I taste tested the water in the box, no acid taint.
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Post by Mr Stabby on May 6, 2020 18:50:13 GMT
What's the difference between a battery and a woman?
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Post by JohnV on May 6, 2020 19:17:15 GMT
I don't know ...... but I bet the answer is shocking
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Post by Mr Stabby on May 6, 2020 19:19:34 GMT
I don't know ...... but I bet the answer is shocking It is. A battery has a positive side.
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Post by Deleted on May 6, 2020 19:20:24 GMT
Batteries give out electric power whereas women use electric power?
ETA just trying to think of an alternative to the obvious one !
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