I recently changed a set of deep cycle batteries, and have the old batteries hanging around. It suddenly occurred to to me that they're full of pure lead....
Has anyone done this before - scavenged the lead out of old battteries? I suppose there would be issues with the acid (H2S04) and there would be an issue with fumes when melting down the lead.
Is it worth the effort? 😕
I'd personally take the battery down to the local shop that sells and installs tires (and batteries, as a few near me do). I'd turn in the old battery for what's known as a core fee refund (they take the old battery and recycle it). Then I'd ask if they want to get rid of the old wheel weights from the tire installations.
If that shop is like the one's I've worked in, they have to pay to get rid of those and they'd be more then happy to get rid of them free. There's different kinds of wheel weight metals - lead for steel wheels and other alloys for aluminum and mag wheels.
I'd take home a 5 gallon bucket full every month from my work. It's heavy - I swear a hundred pounds full if an ounce, takes two guys to lift a pail to a truck bed. Used them to make weights for fishing. Sometimes I'd melt them into 1 pound ingot bars. I melted a couple of bread pans full for a guy to use in a race car for added weight.
Get refunded for the old battery and take a full bucket for the cost of your time and energy.
Runs With Scissors
Thanks, rwc. I'll make some enquiries.