Author Topic: Battery lead to Melt or Not (Read 1930 times)

warf73 · « **on:** June 23, 2004, 12:35:01 AM »

What is the danger in melting down battery lead?

I melt down all my lead out side would that be ok, or are there other dangers in melting down batteries?

I've got a friend that has 12 old deep cycle batteries I was wondering if I should take them.

Will all the acid if any that soaked into the lead melt off when I melt it down?

I don't want to kill myself over some free lead what are your views on it?

Thanks Warf

calvon · « **Reply #1 on:** June 23, 2004, 02:39:56 AM »

Avoid battery lead like the plague. You're asking for trouble if you try to use it.

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #2 on:** June 23, 2004, 04:31:52 AM »

Battery plates are alloyed with stuff that does not work well in bullets. They usta have calcium in them and may still do. Little battery lead would mess up many times its weight in otherwise good alloy.

John Traveler · « **Reply #3 on:** June 23, 2004, 05:30:23 AM »

The previous postings are correct.

The salvageable lead are the posts and bars leading to the plates.

Worse than that, fumes and particulates from melting down battery lead contain know carcinogens. Such activity is severely regulated and monitored by EPA and OSHA regulations.

The risks are not worth it!

Cat Whisperer · « **Reply #4 on:** June 23, 2004, 03:00:50 PM »

3 no's just aren't enough!

DON'T use battery lead!

The fumes are much more poisenous than just melting lead!

The change happened, if my memory serves me right, in the 60's or maybe the 70's. It USED to be ok, but no more.

1lnbrdg · « **Reply #5 on:** June 23, 2004, 04:22:57 PM »

Almost all batteries now contain cadmuim(?). If you do a searh, you will find this is a serious health risk.

dukkillr · « **Reply #6 on:** June 23, 2004, 06:38:15 PM »

it's cadmium, it's bad... don't do it... also the fumes they speak of are from hydrochloric acid which is very bad... it'll eat things like skin and pleural lining. don't do it, don't mess with batteries at all.

warf73 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 23, 2004, 07:19:05 PM »

Thank you all for the replies I told the guy very nicely no I'll pass on the batteries.

I don't really need the lead but didn't know about battery lead.

Now I do so I will avoid it at all costs.

Thanks Warf

Mitch in MI · « **Reply #8 on:** June 25, 2004, 05:16:23 AM »

Not to mention that the local scrap metal dealer will buy batteries by the hundredweight, and it sounds like your friend has 500-1000lb to sell.
I would assume he's already determined that he can't rejuvenate the batteries with a desulphator type charger.
Mitch.