buying a used leisure battery

[VintageRacer]

Is a 4 year leisure battery likely to be any good?

I have the chance of buying one with a charger for what seems like a good price but I don't know its history.

Is it likely to be a good buy? Or should I be shelling out for a new one?

[The Chef]

Second hand batteries are always a gamble. I looked at buying a Large good quality leasure battery because I need to charge 2 cars. And it was £140 I figured that A good Genny was £240-£300. And is much more use for all sorts of stuff, like charging DS's at the track or running the laptop. All Ideal for keeping the kids happy when they have to come.

Well worth considering the extra if you can afford it.

[leeleefocus]

Unless you can do a load test on the battery it is a bit of a punt really. Personaly i would be looking at £20 and if it was no good go and get the scrap value for it which should get back a decent chunk of your money.

There can be several problems with lead acid. Dendrite growth which is normally bye bye battery. Stratification which can be rectified and sulphation which again can be rectified to a certain extent. Desulphation requires equipment to do though. I built a desulphator for about £18.

Also plates can get buckled but the battery will normally be completely unuesable if that is the case.

The condition of SLA is normally completely dependent on its history. If the battery has been looked after properly it will be good for several more years.

[mattybucks]

No, you can get them new for £40

[mark christopher]

just bea in mind your lucky if the manufacture gives a 3 year warranty, they do that for a reason...

[arransmith27]

Originally Posted by mattybucks

No, you can get them new for £40

Agree with this - buy new

[VintageRacer]

I was watching an auction on the Bay but it ended before I'd made up my mind.

2 85Ah numax batteries and a charger that, from my brief research, cost around £50 new sold for £56 but I would have had to collect from about 20 miles away.

Still not sure if it was a bargain. Possibly not if I can get new for 40

[mark christopher]

Originally Posted by VintageRacer

I was watching an auction on the Bay but it ended before I'd made up my mind.

2 85Ah numax batteries and a charger that, from my brief research, cost around £50 new sold for £56 but I would have had to collect from about 20 miles away.

Still not sure if it was a bargain. Possibly not if I can get new for 40

just bear in mind you will need a leisure batter mainatence charger too

[ianhaye]

just pic up batterys from scrap yard dont have to be lesuire ones, and at the price, when they buy just go get another, just make sure they test the battery infront of you when you get them.