Uses for an Old Car Battery

[Huw Powell]

Dead battery is dead battery.  Let it be recycled for the lead.  At 12.2 
V, how many amp-hours do you think it can store?

- Huw

On 10/11/2011 11:07 PM, Marc Boucher wrote:
> My battery's seen a few too many extreme discharges and I'm about to replace it before winter hits.
>
> Was curious who had ever hung onto their old car battery for a backup power source around the house.
>
> For example, both my cable modem and router run from 12V DC.
>
> Given that the old battery is good enough to start the car, it should more than serve for a backup in the event of a power failure.
>
> An alternative would be an inverter, but I think that the work involved in taking a battery, converting it to AC 120V, only to have the modem and router's adapters convert it back to 12V DC, would be inefficient.
>
> I know new car batteries are closer to 12.6V, however, this battery is old enough such that its reading closer to 12.2V, which I doubt will fry anything requiring 12V.  Of more concern is the type of charger attached to the battery, and its potential for affecting electronics.
>
> In terms of safety of the battery acid, I've got an enclosed plastic container that should handle battery acid should it ever leak.
>
> Has anyone used their old car battery around the house for backup purposes?  If so, what kind of charger did you use, and or what was your setup?
>
> I guess I should add some Audi content: Bosch replacement battery available for $180, size 41.  Then there's the Energizer battery, who's equivalent size has about 100Amps more Cranking Amps and 100Amps more CCA than the Bosch, at a cost of $70 less.  Energizer is manufactured by Johnson Controls.  Any valid reason for not going with the Energizer over the Bosch?
>
>
> Thanks
> MC
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