What to do with 20 free golf cart batteries?

[Rational]

So we'd asked our local golf course if they had old golf cart batteries last month.

At the time I was looking for some batteries to put into our newly acquired Toyota ECOMS mini EV.

But I've since already found exact replacements which are working well. I also ordered 26 lithium blade cells to do a major upgrade on it soon. Those arrive Monday.

Well, today the golf course calls and says to come pick up 20 SLA golf cart batteries... Don't want to say no now and disappoint them, so will have to get them tomorrow it seems.

Besides the limited space I have giving me pause, what is a good use for these? Practice building and understanding battery packs? I do need experience.

Learn how to possibly regenerate them? If so, what're the best techniques?

What use cases could I use these for?

Thanks for all input!

 

[AntronX]

I did the same years ago. Picked up a dozen of old 12v 100Ah AGM batts that got taken out of UPS at work. They were already pretty shot but I got to use them with my solar system. In the end I ended up selling them on craigslist for a little under recycling value. These days I would not bother with taking free lead acid batts. Too heavy and inferior to LiFePO4.

 

[time2roll]

I would be looking to sell them to a recycler.

 

[Rational]

Thanks. What do recycler's pay these days in your areas?

 

[CVCPJared]

Thanks. What do recycler's pay these days in your areas?

I have a small eWaste company. We take them for free (locally, not yours ), get about 18c/lb for lead acid. Different #s in different local markets though. Should be able to get at least 10c/lb I would think

 

[Rational]

Interesting. We had a guy pick up the 6 we removed from the ECOMS mini EV. He only paid 50 cents per battery to take them away...

I'm not looking forward to moving 20 of these tomorrow, trying to make space for them only to have to move them again to a recycler for 50cents each. Hmmm...

 

[CVCPJared]

On another note, I also paid $250ea for some years back to be put into a Crown Wav How's the charge on them? If they still work well, you might be able to find some alternative use like that for them like that, that would be useful to someone if you don't intend to use them for projects. Or something like Japan Craigslist?

 

[Rmart30]

Thanks. What do recycler's pay these days in your areas?

Here they are paying $10-15 a battery for scrap.

 

[Rational]

Wow, pretty good rate actually.

So I added some special battery fluid with additives to four of the batteries and charged them up. Battery tester says they aren't all that powerful still and to 'replace'.

Any recommendations on how best to renew old SLA batteries?

 

[Solar Guppy]

Wow, pretty good rate actually.

So I added some special battery fluid with additives to four of the batteries and charged them up. Battery tester says they aren't all that powerful still and to 'replace'.

Any recommendations on how best to renew old SLA batteries?

Best advise is there isn't some magic way to make better, waste of your money and time and why you got them for "free" when time and transport will be more than minimal recycle fees you might get.

 

[Rational]

Yep. Exactly as I suspected. Well, I've at least now proven it via real world direct testing. Heh.

Appreciate the confirmation. I'll play with them a tad more and then recycle them. Thanks again.

 

[HalfBaked]

I use my old 110lb agms as tie-down anchors for various purposes around the yard.