How to get the acid out of a battery?

O

Omega Leather Works

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Jun 13, 2007
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I have an old car battery. Is it feasible to try to retrieve the acid from it? If so how?

Supposing I did get the acid... is that acid good for etching clips and things like that?

Obviously I know very little about this. Help?

Thanks
 
I don't know either.
But I did pick up some PCB Etchant from Radio Shack (and mixed with white vinegar) for that purpose.
 
It's certainly possible to get the acid out. I have an old improvised munitions book published for the army in the 60s that calls for the acid in a bunch of neat little triggers and "concoctions", and it lists batteries as a place to get it from. You can boil it until it gives off white fumes to concentrate it. (the book says DO NOT INHALE FUMES, so... I'd be careful if you try it.)

I'm just not sure how to get it out of the battery...
 
Well it's sulphuric acid in 30 to 50% concentration with the rest being water so boiling it makes sense in order to concentrate it.

The printer board stuff is like $12 I think at Radio Shack. No big deal, but if I can use this for free I may as well do it. :)
 
I carried a car battery once. When I did laundry the parts of my shirt that had touched the old battery vanished. That’s why I’m personally in favor of keeping the acid in the battery.

Cooking a car battery also releases lead fumes. Don’t inhale those either.
 
If it is a throw away battery, turn it on its side and drill a hole in the bottom and then set up to drain. Each cell may be separate, so you may have to drill several holes. Be careful and make sure the battery is cool so no fumes to catch fire in case of sparks. Wear protective gear like rubber gloves, rubber or plastic apron, and especially eye protection. Or, go to a battery re-build shop and ask them to drain for you in exchange for the left over lead and case.

Blessings,

Omar
 
I'd be cautious about using the sulfuric acid from batteries because of the potential of lead being dissolved in the acid.

You might look in the plumbing section of a hardware store, I have seen drain cleaners that contain sulfuric acid, but I don't know how pure it is. It may have some other chemicals in it.

Make sure you wear protective gear. I would double glove. Make sure you are close to a sink or hose (that you can turn on FAST) so you can rinse the acid off yourself in the case of a splash or spill. Sulphuric acid nasty stuff to get on you. It is one of my least favorite common acids to work with.

Ric
 
Personally I'd spend the $12 at radio shack used battery acid is some nasty stuff....
 
Alright I'll just buy the pbc stuff or maybe talk to the ecolab guy at work and see what he recommends. I work in a factory with all kinds of strong acids and the appropriate ppe.

Thanks again.
 
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