Anyone repaired one of these?

**Padmei** · 5th November 2010, 20:27

tried very hard to be gentle but oh well...

Anyone melted any lead lately? Any suggestions?

**KiWiP** · 5th November 2010, 20:43

drill a brass screw in at 45 degrees from the right hand side to half its length, not past the thread(make sure it has an adequate pilot hole to avoid splitting) then use a fine blow torch to heat the screw to red heat. The heat should conduct down the screw, melt the lead to fuse top and bottom, on and around the screw (which will act as an anchor from now). hacksaw off stub of screw (this is why you use a soft metal screw).

Final step is to buy me beer.

For a laugh try attaching a wire to each terminal of the battery and placing these in the open mouth of a snoring drunk 'friend'. Very funny!

**dino3310** · 5th November 2010, 20:44

Buy a new one

**Padmei** · 5th November 2010, 20:48

Originally Posted by KiWiP

drill a brass screw in at 45 degrees from the right hand side to half its length, not past the thread(make sure it has an adequate pilot hole to avoid splitting) then use a fine blow torch to heat the screw to red heat. The heat should conduct down the screw, melt the lead to fuse top and bottom, on and around the screw (which will act as an anchor from now). hacksaw off stub of screw (this is why you use a soft metal screw).

Final step is to buy me beer.

For a laugh try attaching a wire to each terminal of the battery and placing these in the open mouth of a snoring drunk 'friend'. Very funny!

Excellent stuff. Do you think the heat would stuff up the plates?

**KiWiP** · 5th November 2010, 21:02

Originally Posted by Padmei

Excellent stuff. Do you think the heat would stuff up the plates?

Get a fine point on your torch. and point away from plastic bits. I've just had an idea that one of those kitchen creme brulee torches may have enough 'whack' to do the job. I've only done it with oxy sets but the principle is that the screw acts as the anchor and the heat just melts the lead to the anchor.

Your main problem is going to be not getting enough heat as the lead will act as a massive heat sink. I wouldn't worry about the heat getting to the plates.

**pete376403** · 5th November 2010, 21:49

The electrolyte in the cell will keep things cool. I would be worried about hydrogen gas in the space at the top of the cells if you're going to be using a flame. Look away from the battery the first time you wave the flame near it

**Padmei** · 6th November 2010, 06:26

This is gonna be fun- or not. I will give it a try & report back - hopefully with eyebrows intact.

**That looks like fun** · 6th November 2010, 06:34

Take the caps of the cells first and wave the blow torch over top of each cell.

Any gas present will go with a slight pop but as the caps are off it wont pressurize and blow up in your face

As a wee lad we used to cast new terminals to replace broken ones but you would need a mold (no not a fungus mould

)
Screw idea sounds good to me, wear safety glasses and a Hi Vis jacket, what could possibly go wrong

**Crim** · 6th November 2010, 06:40

Originally Posted by That looks like fun

wear safety glasses and a Hi Vis jacket, what could possibly go wrong

Maybe a hard hat, steel caps and ear protection just to make sure

(but would go for the eye protection)

**Padmei** · 6th November 2010, 07:09

Hmmm getting the feeling I should be selling tickets to this...

**marty** · 6th November 2010, 08:11

i'd just drill a 3mm/1/8" hole down the centre of the post, past the crack into the battery portion of the post. screw a long self tapper right through it, then leave it. you're not going to get enough heat into it to melt the whole thing - any melting will just be around the edges.

**Crim** · 6th November 2010, 08:41

Originally Posted by marty

i'd just drill a 3mm/1/8" hole down the centre of the post, past the crack into the battery portion of the post. screw a long self tapper right through it, then leave it. you're not going to get enough heat into it to melt the whole thing - any melting will just be around the edges.

yeah but then he wouldn't need the safety gear and be able to sell tickets!

**Box'a'bits** · 6th November 2010, 09:09

Originally Posted by Padmei

Hmmm getting the feeling I should be selling tickets to this...

Maybe advertise a time, set up a webcam, & we can check on your progress......What are friends for? We wouldn't want you to blow yourself up (or splash acid around) unsupervised.

**Woodman** · 6th November 2010, 09:22

Breaking News from Nelson

A large explosion has been heard in the Atawhai region of Nelson.
Details are sketchy, but eye witnesses report that there is a motorcycle, possibly a Yamaha, but some say a kawasaki sitting in the top of a cabbage tree.

Back to your scheduled programme.