Can battery be rejuvinated?

[cogs]

My Alien 36v 10ah battery has become tired after about 16 months of reasonably consistent use - ie regular (four or five days per week) trips of about 18 miles. I've got a replacement (Alien again), but I wonder if there is anything that could be done with the old one to give it a new lease of life?

What do people do with their older batts that have become much lower spec through use?

 

[flecc]

I'm afraid not, lithium battery ageing like all types is chemical ageing, the cell contents exhausted. They aren't recellable due to constant upgrading progress.

Used go to the council's recycling centre battery collection point where I'm concerned, but I clearly label them first with a warning about the lithium content and high charge content danger.
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[flecc]

Click the "Edit" button, then the "delete" button, then click on the "delete message" option at the left, and finally click the "delete message" button lower right.

You will then be returned to the very first post in that thread and your later post will be gone.

You cannot delete a thread once you've entered it.
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[Northern Irelander]

Used go to the council's recycling centre battery collection point where I'm concerned, but I clearly label them first with a warning about the lithium content and high charge content danger.
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I'm surprised councils take them, under the new battery regs, they are classed as an industrial battery, as they are used to propel something.

I also thought there was some intrinsic value in the actual lithium.

The battery supplier should take back, or at least point you to a take back scheme.

 

[NRG]

Cogs, you have a PM!

 

[cogs]

Click the "Edit" button, then the "delete" button, then click on the "delete message" option at the left, and finally click the "delete message" button lower right.

You will then be returned to the very first post in that thread and your later post will be gone.

You cannot delete a thread once you've entered it.
.

eh??

I'm happy for the thread to remain where it is.

Thanks for the advice flecc.

A further question, do you (or anyone else) think it would be possible to fit some of new generation (LiFEp0) cells within the alloy battery containing case without too much difficulty - ie, is it a task that might be within the capability of an 'averagely competent' DIY-er?

 

[eddieo]

eh??

I'm happy for the thread to remain where it is.

Thanks for the advice flecc.

A further question, do you (or anyone else) think it would be possible to fit some of new generation (LiFEp0) cells within the alloy battery containing case without too much difficulty - ie, is it a task that might be within the capability of an 'averagely competent' DIY-er?

That instruction from Flecc was to me? So..... my daft contribution disappeared from sight

I may be wrong! but LfePo4 battery packs are bulky, so I would think unlikely to fit?

 

[flecc]

eh??

I'm happy for the thread to remain where it is.

I'm not surprised that you are puzzled. . Eddie entered a post here but then asked how he could remove it. That was my advice to him and he followed it, leaving my advice floating without reason!!!

A further question, do you (or anyone else) think it would be possible to fit some of new generation (LiFEp0) cells within the alloy battery containing case without too much difficulty - ie, is it a task that might be within the capability of an 'averagely competent' DIY-er?

Lthium-iron phosphate (LiFePO4) cells are a bit larger for a given capacity, so generally won't fit into existing cases unless a lower capacity is chosen. Since they also have slightly lower discharge rates for long life, reducing the capacity by much isn't desirable.

P.S. Just seen Eddie's response.
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[cogs]

I'm not surprised that you are puzzled. . Eddie entered a post here but then asked how he could remove it. That was my advice to him and he followed it, leaving my advice floating without reason!!!



Lthium-iron phosphate (LiFePO4) cells are a bit larger for a given capacity, so generally won't fit into existing cases unless a lower capacity is chosen. Since they also have slightly lower discharge rates for long life, reducing the capacity by much isn't desirable.

P.S. Just seen Eddie's response.
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I'm inexperienced in the field of battery technology, so the above advice is welcome.

Considering that the LiFep0 option is ruled out - presumably the alloy case could be recycled and a new set of lithium cells could be installed? Does anyone know if this would be an economical route to take - a new replacement battery from Alien is about £270 (delivered), so I can see that there may be several advantages in re-celling and having a constantly available spare, assuming the task is fairly straight forward?

 

[flecc]

I'm afraid it's a "no" again cogs, there are no cells available for recycling since the technology is changing so rapidly all time, any new cells might not suit the battery's older internal BMS electronics which can be quite extensive.

Here's an example to look at.

In any case, the cells are most of the cost.
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[cogs]

I'm afraid it's a "no" again cogs, there are no cells available for recycling since the technology is changing so rapidly all time, any new cells might not suit the battery's older internal BMS electronics which can be quite extensive.

Here's an example to look at.

In any case, the cells are most of the cost.
.

Hmm.

Its all a bit frustrating isn't it?

It runs against my recycling grain, and against the more general necessity to avoid enlarging our carbon footprints etc. Its hard to accept that my only/best option is a trip to the local dump rather than to try to extend the useful life of a perfectly good alloy battery case by re-celling...

 

[flecc]

It certainly is, I'm also a keen recycler of anything possible: