Surplus UPS batteries - will these be OK?

Post by **Damo** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 10:54 am

Hey guys,

A while back we replaced one of our UPS battery banks at work. It's a routine thing, they are replaced whether they are stuffed or not. I am pretty sure that there are going to be at least a few decent batteries in there. My idea was to take a few and get them load tested at a servo or whatever and then if they are OK, use them. I want to setup a 2nd battery in my zook to run my fridge, accessories etc, and want 1 or 2 for the trailer for lighting etc when camping.

I am assuming UPS batteries are going to be a deep cycle job, so you reckon these will be suitable?

Damo.

EDIT: The batteries are Dynasty MPS12-100. They are 12 volt 100AH each, sealed lead acid.

Post by **RoldIT** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 11:02 am

Damo wrote:Hey guys,

A while back we replaced one of our UPS battery banks at work. It's a routine thing, they are replaced whether they are stuffed or not. I am pretty sure that there are going to be at least a few decent batteries in there. My idea was to take a few and get them load tested at a servo or whatever and then if they are OK, use them. I want to setup a 2nd battery in my zook to run my fridge, accessories etc, and want 1 or 2 for the trailer for lighting etc when camping.

I am assuming UPS batteries are going to be a deep cycle job, so you reckon these will be suitable?

Damo.

EDIT: The batteries are Dynasty MPS12-100. They are 12 volt 100AH each, sealed lead acid.

Yep, as long as they pass test they will be an excellent cheap/free option.

We do the same and my boss was running his electric fences on the last lot of batteries for years without issue.

Post by **-Scott-** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 11:03 am

They should be fine for low draw devices, but if they're sealed batteries a standard automotive "load test" will probably draw more than the batteries are designed to deliver. It may indicate a "fail" even if the batteries are fine, and I'm not sure they won't be damaged by an excessive load.

They probably won't like huge charge currents either, and your alternator may charge at too high a voltage.

If they're OK to begin with, and you charge them appropriately, your fridge is an Engel or similar (I think Chescolds draw too much current) they will probably do what you want.

If you can post up some more information (brand, voltage, capacity, physical dimensions) we can probably give some more accurate advice.

Edit: BIG batteries - less likely to have charging problems in a car, I'd still be wary about a standard automotive load test. You really need a capacity test, such as charge one up and see how long it runs your fridge (presuming your fridge has a low voltage cut-out - don't run the battery dead flat.)

Cheers,

Scott

Post by **RoldIT** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 11:05 am

I think you'll find those batteries are AGM type so will handle everything you can throw at them (as long as they aren't already farked).

Post by **Damo** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 11:07 am

Found some specs

http://www.dynastybattery.com/products/ ... mps100.htm

Post by **-Scott-** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 11:09 am

http://www.cdstandbypower.com/contact/t ... f/7135.pdf

GOOD batteries! 800A max discharge!

Forget everything I said above.

Scott

Post by **Damo** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 11:11 am

-Scott- wrote:http://www.cdstandbypower.com/contact/t ... f/7135.pdf

GOOD batteries! 800A max discharge! Forget everything I said above.

Scott

Was just looking at that. So they should handle charging from alternator OK too yeah?

Post by **RoldIT** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 11:19 am

Damo wrote:
-Scott- wrote:http://www.cdstandbypower.com/contact/t ... f/7135.pdf

GOOD batteries! 800A max discharge! Forget everything I said above.

Scott
Was just looking at that. So they should handle charging from alternator OK too yeah?

Yep, AGMs are top batteries, best of both worlds. (BTW, Optimas, Odysses and Exide Orbitals are all AGMs, just slightly different construction)

Post by **-Scott-** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 11:20 am

Damo wrote:
-Scott- wrote:http://www.cdstandbypower.com/contact/t ... f/7135.pdf

GOOD batteries! 800A max discharge! Forget everything I said above.

Scott
Was just looking at that. So they should handle charging from alternator OK too yeah?

No. They won't. They'll probably explode, and take out your vehicle, you, and everything within a 100m radius. Way too dangerous.

But I tell you what. You package them up - all of them - and send them to me, and I'll make sure they're disposed of in a safe and proper manner.

If it helps, I'll even pay the freight costs, because I'd hate to see you hurt yourself - or anybody else.

Honestly.

Scott

Post by **RoldIT** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 11:23 am

Yeah, good point. Damo, If you're in Melb I'll come pick them up for you, save the shipping and disposal issues.

Post by **BundyRumandCoke** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 1:15 pm

The only issue I could see is weight. At 32.5 kg each, one or two on the camper trailer could be as much as 65kg. And even one in a Zook could make for a lobsided vehicle.

Post by **Damo** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 1:54 pm

BundyRumandCoke wrote:The only issue I could see is weight. At 32.5 kg each, one or two on the camper trailer could be as much as 65kg.

But that's why I have a trailer, to carry the extra sh*t

BundyRumandCoke wrote:And even one in a Zook could make for a lobsided vehicle.

Any battery is going to be heavy. I'll just put it on the opposite side as the spare!

Scott, Rold it i'll let ya know if i have any spare

Post by **chimpboy** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 2:32 pm

Any more spares, please put me on the list too

Post by **ausoops** » Tue Jul 04, 2006 4:42 pm

bloke at work took two batteries from work (we also change out all the cells in our battery banks) took them to fraser to run his waeco. the two of them lasted 6 days before needing a charge. he through them on his genny (one of those cheap gmc ones) for a couple of hours and got another 6 days out of them.

Post by **Moonman** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 3:18 pm

I've managed to get my hands on a couple of batteries (free) and was wondering if they would be
any good for the 4by accessories also? I've included a PDF doc of the specs. Maybe someone here
can make some sense of it all? The batteries were used as backup power for a PABX.

Cheers!
Moonman

Post by **chimpboy** » Wed Jul 05, 2006 6:52 pm

Moonman wrote:I've managed to get my hands on a couple of batteries (free) and was wondering if they would be
any good for the 4by accessories also? I've included a PDF doc of the specs. Maybe someone here
can make some sense of it all? The batteries were used as backup power for a PABX.

Cheers!
Moonman

You might have to give us a URL for the links instead, PDFs are not able to be attached to posts on this forum I don't think.

Post by **Moonman** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 9:30 am

Sorry about that... Give this a try!!

http://www.cyb.com.au/files/All_PDFs/UX ... 0Sheet.pdf

Cheers!

Post by **Moonman** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 9:32 am

http://www.cyb.com.au/files/All_PDFs/UX ... 0Sheet.pdf

Post by **Moonman** » Thu Jul 06, 2006 9:37 am

http://www.cyb.com.au/files/All_PDFs/UX ... 0Sheet.pdf

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Surplus UPS batteries - will these be OK?

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