Our GE switcher has dead batteries and I am wondering what is the best procedure to try to bring them back. There are four Interstate deep cycle batteries on board, making 32V total. The electrolyte is gone out of every cell. The unit last ran in the spring of 2008 so my guess is that the electrolyte evaporated over the summer. I would like to save the batteries if I can but don't know what to do to try to bring them back, even if I can. Any ideas?

I took the batteries out of the locomotive and brought them home where I can charge them.

Thanks

I'm going to fill them up with distilled water and put a charge in them and see what happens. If it works, great. If not well then I haven't wasted much money.

As to why they used deep cycle batteries, I haven't a clue. If I have to replace these I won't put deep cycles back in.

When I was in the USAF Reserves, an old gentleman in Utah gave a course on batteries one summer camp. He had been the chief engineer for a large power company that had many standby generator sets. Each year, he would give them a charge then drain out all old acid solutions and then then install new acid and recharge them. He claimed the batteries would last up to 15 years if the old lead particles in the bottom were flushed along with the draining of the old acid as the loose lead in the bottom would shorten the life of a battery.

Based upon his advice, I would charge them, drain and flush, and then add new acid and recharge the batteries.

I did a little checking on the batteries that I have and the spec. sheet shows 1050 CCA so apparently the manufacturer intended them for use in starting applications.

BTW with some distilled water and a slow charge they are slowly coming back to life. Each of the cells is bubbling which is a good sign.

FOr those interested in maintaining a charge on locomotive batteries I found this 36 volt solar powered battery maintainer for under $200. If it works good it may be an inexpensive way to keep batteries on locomotives from dying during the off season.

Stationary steam, do you have the brand, model, and supplier name for that charger, or a link to the manufacturer;s website?

Thanks,

Rich C.

Oops! I for got to include the link:
http://www.batterystuff.com/battery-res ... IS36L.html