damaged battery - repair?

[MarkT]

Got a new battery online.  They didn't pad the package well so it got damaged.  They are replacing it.  Meanwhile seems a shame not to see if I can repair the damage and keep it on a trickle charger until I need it.  I have gone through lots of batteries so I have no doubt it will be needed in a couple years or so.  The question is, what kind of plastic do they use?  I have a HF plastic welder.  Also could use plastic glues if I use the right type, or even silicon glue.  Whatever is appropriate.  Do you have experience on this subject?  FYI this is a powerful battery, 21AH & 402CCA. Bigger than what Compufire provides for their alternator & battery upgrade for the Gold Wing. Has extra-thick lead plates. Chemistry is AGM - it's not leaking  (even in shipping when it was inverted)  but I suspect it might outgas in use.  Volts measure at 12.9 so it's fully charged.  It's significantly bigger in size than the OEM Valk battery.  Recall I have a Compufire 90amp alternator - a big battery is required; it boils small batteries. 15 years ago when I installed the Compufire I did a divider-ectomy on the box under the seat and changed the alignment for the much bigger battery fore-aft.

[Valkpilot]

Got a new battery online.  They didn't pad the package well so it got damaged.  They are replacing it.  Meanwhile seems a shame not to see if I can repair the damage and keep it on a trickle charger until I need it.  I have gone through lots of batteries so I have no doubt it will be needed in a couple years or so.  The question is, what kind of plastic do they use?  I have a HF plastic welder.  Also could use plastic glues if I use the right type, or even silicon glue.  Whatever is appropriate.  Do you have experience on this subject?  FYI this is a powerful battery, 21AH & 402CCA. Bigger than what Compufire provides for their alternator & battery upgrade for the Gold Wing. Has extra-thick lead plates. Chemistry is AGM - it's not leaking  (even in shipping when it was inverted)  but I suspect it might outgas in use.  Volts measure at 12.9 so it's fully charged.  It's significantly bigger in size than the OEM Valk battery.  Recall I have a Compufire 90amp alternator - a big battery is required; it boils small batteries. 15 years ago when I installed the Compufire I did a divider-ectomy on the box under the seat and changed the alignment for the much bigger battery fore-aft.

When I worked for a large-format Lithiumn-ion battery company, we used polypropylene cases.  In that case,  or if it is HDPE or LDPE, your welder would work.  If it's ABS, Oatey's ABS cement will do. 

I'll bet the material type is stamped someplace on the case in or next to a recycling triangle.

[MarkT]

Thx for responding.  No info to be found on the plastic.  I suppose maybe I could test glues and the welder on the plastic.  I also have some MEK which I uderstand is a solvent for some plastics.  If that melts it, what is the plastic?  I also have some plastic glues, again if they melt the plastic then I'm guessing they are compatible.

[old2soon]

Maybe contact the manufacturer of the battery and see if they might disclose what it's made of. I'm guessin it's a freebie cause of the damage?  The Oateys black hardening A B S cement is what I used to repair my saddle bag. Fairly easy to sand and also use as a filler. RIDE SAFE.

[Cracker Jack]

I have a can of Black ABS glue and it lists MEK as an ingredient. I've used MEK neat to glue (fuse) ABS plastic. I just keep the MEK on the mating surfaces until the surfaces get soft then just press the surfaces together. Joint is as tough as the rest.

Good luck.

[MarkT]

Maybe contact the manufacturer of the battery and see if they might disclose what it's made of. I'm guessin it's a freebie cause of the damage?   The Oateys black hardening A B S cement is what I used to repair my saddle bag. Fairly easy to sand and also use as a filler. RIDE SAFE.

Actually I'm looking for the answers not advice on where to get answers.  Don't think I'm going to imply I'll try to fix the battery after I've already asked the company for a replacement. But if I just junk it, that seems wasteful, if a fix is doable. The ABS cement tip is useful, thx.

[MarkT]

I have a can of Black ABS glue and it lists MEK as an ingredient. I've used MEK neat to glue (fuse) ABS plastic. I just keep the MEK on the mating surfaces until the surfaces get soft then just press the surfaces together. Joint is as tough as the rest.

Good luck.

Thx good tip.  I've put MEK on the plastic to see if it softens.

[zzed28]

I cannot be sure that mek will not melt other plastics, but it will melt ABS. Abs fairings are repaired using mek and abs chips, the repair becomes solid abs after getting it done.

[98valk]

I would try Ultra Gray silicone or one of the other high end/high tech silicones.

[da prez]

A product called solar seal. You can find it at home centers or some hardware store. It will stick almost anything to almost anything. The metal workers would install sheet metal flashings on brick (even wet)and it would not pull apart. I have used it for many repairs on wood ,metal and plastic.       


                               da prez

[Kep]

JB Weld is pretty reliable

[signart]

Seems you don't have a leak, so...? It's obviously not a seal that's broken where it's separated, and from the pic, just has a little ugly spot. Why not take a heat gun carefully directed on the damaged area and reform it with a putty knife?

[Gryphon Rider]

Seems you don't have a leak, so...? It's obviously not a seal that's broken where it's separated, and from the pic, just has a little ugly spot. Why not take a heat gun carefully directed on the damaged area and reform it with a putty knife?

I don't think I would be brave enough to direct heat at a battery.

[signart]

I wouldn't put direct heat to a battery either. I would protect the battery and carefully direct heat to the area of the damage depicted in the picture, which is just plastic.