Battery Acid...Need Help. Part II

[V6 Viking]

OK, so now that I've drained and relpaced the battery acid in my batteries with new electrolyte, can anyone tell me how to dispose of the original battery acid? It is currently in two 1 gallon sealed plastic pails.



Thanks again!!



-Matt



by v6viking, 3/10/2007 15:27 ET

Category - Off-topic



OK Guys and Gals....Need a little guidance on this one.



I decided that today would be the day that I refill my batteries for my boat...I'm familiar with the process, so it should be a simple task. Ahhhhh, if it was only that easy...



So, I charge my batteries to full charge before topping off and grab the clear liquid that I believe to be distilled water. 1 1/2 batteries later I see my HUGE mistake. I've topped off my batteries with clear vinegar!!!!



Does anyone know what the outcome of this science experiment is going to be?? I'm guessing that new batteries for the boat are on the horizon....



Thanks all....



-Matt









re: Battery Issue...Need help!! by Coastiejoe,3/10/2007 16:42 ET



I don't think you have a big issue.



Drain the batteries and put in new fluid, (Battery Acid), which you can buy from any parts store.



If they don't have battery fluid then use distilled water and charge them up...

Message was edited by Coastiejoe on 3/10/2007 at 18:08 ET





re: Battery Issue...Need help!! by Gary,3/10/2007 16:53 ET



I would think you'd need battery acid, not just distilled water. I think they call it electrolyte or something like that, I also think you'd want to flush the vinegar out before you put in the battery acid.

Message was edited by Gary on 3/10/2007 at 18:40 ET

 

[Todd Z]

Bring it to the place you bought it from or any other battery seller like a Sears

 

[Tom Schindler]

Another thing you could do, though maybe not legal or best for the environment is diluting the acid in water. Then slowly add baking soda, NOT baking powder, but baking soda, until it quits bubbling. Then the acid is then neutral and pour it down the drain.



Just a thought.





Tom

 

[Chris Taylor]

I would go for the neutralizing too, but that's a lot of acid. Can you get ahold of any lime(as in fertilizer store/garden center)? Add slowly to the acid until it stops bubbling and then flush with a lot of water. The reaction will produce Calcium Sulfate and water. Calcium sulfate is usually thought of as the hardness you find in in well water. Not harmful. Baking soda will work just as well, and will also produce harmless byproduct.



WARNING: The reaction of either of these compounds with battery acid WILL be quite vigorous, and needs to be done outside and away from anything you care about. Eye protection and old clothes along with a garden hose nearby just in case will be needed.



You could just dilute it with water, but that will take a huge amount of water, and if it gets to your lawn, it will kill it right now... Also, you would not know how dilute it really was(no way of measuring). If you are going to do this, add the acid TOO the water, not the water to the acid. Adding water TOO the acid will cause a fountain of acid/water that will spray all over the place.

 

[V6 Viking]

Thanks everyone. I'll try bringing it to a battery dealer first. If that does not work I will try neutralizing it. To be honest with you, neutralizing it scares the crap out of me!!!



You guys always come through when help is needed. This site and the people on it have been a great resource to me. Thank you!!!



-Matt

 

[Adam Smith 2]

This thread is a lot of fuss over nothing. Battery acid is already very dilute sulfuric acid, a VERY different beast from the thick, fuming anhydrous laboratory stuff that will eat your flesh on contact and erupt into a boil if you add water to it. The pH of battery eletrolyte is not much different from that of coca cola or lime juice, and you can just pour it down your sink while the water is running with no ill effect on you or your pipes.

 

[user 56477]

" This thread is a lot of fuss over nothing. Battery acid is already very dilute sulfuric acid, a VERY different beast from the thick, fuming anhydrous laboratory stuff that will eat your flesh on contact and erupt into a boil if you add water to it. The pH of battery eletrolyte is not much different from that of coca cola or lime juice, and you can just pour it down your sink while the water is running with no ill effect on you or your pipes. "



not so true. at one time i worked for a motorcraft parts distributor, and part of my daily job was delivering batteries. the first time i picked one up, i was stupid and tilited it the wrong way, it poured all over me. it ate away my shirt and part of my pants, and left an irritating rash for a few days. be careful with this stuff.

 

[Thomas Rogers]

Hhhm...who buys serviceable batteries these days? I thought those went out of style with kick-started sex toys.