[Shop-talk] dead battery

[Wayne]

On 5/14/2013 7:07 PM, Mike wrote:
> I have a 12v car battery that is dead as a doornail because the car hasn't
> been run in a long time.  It is also dry, or at least  very low.  So I filled
> the cells with distilled water, and hooked up the leads (the ground lead to a
> bolt on the engine), checked the charger to be sure it was set to 12v, and
> plugged it in.  Ammeter goes to max, and the charger trips out.  Suggestions?

Has it been in sub-freezing temps? As they discharge, their freeze temp 
rises, and a dead one will freeze, expand, and short the plates 
together. A lot of times the plastic housing may be bulged out from the 
expansion, making it obvious.

-Wayne