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Chuck — I ran the idea by several experts who have vast amounts of knowledge and experience with batteries, auto mechanics and general transportation technology. The adamant reactions varied from "nutty" to "no place in reality" to "very dangerous." Laughs aside, the latter is the most imporant point. It's dangerous to tinker with a battery like that, especially with the acid. Don't try this at home.

— John Rockhold, managing editor

Comments

  • Robert Johnson 10/16/2009 8:50:09 AM

    The only thing I can think of that might have inspired this is Edison electric sold battery oil. It was used in the old glass batteries to retard evaporation of water from the electrolite. Came in small glass bottles. As a child I would pick them up around railroad signals.

  • Willie 10/11/2009 5:10:57 AM

    Gee, I would've thought someone would've come up with this 50 or 60 years ago if it was viable. Changing from acid to a volatile liquid sounds like a recipe for disaster, but maybe you should submit this one to "Myth Busters".

  • Pedro Talavera 9/10/2009 11:07:27 AM

    I doubt oil will help a battery last longer. The reason a battery goes bad is not one. Many reasons can affect the life of a battery. Overtime the plates get sulfated and then they may short or loose the ability to hold a charge. Acid really lasts a lot. So if any chemical can slow the efect of sulfate then that will surely prolong the life of the battery.

    Read more at my page: www.1mobilerepair.com

    Pedro talavera.
    Owner of CMT of Miami.

  • Ken Larsen 9/9/2009 2:11:53 PM

    I believe it is possible to extend battery life, but not with oil. JCWhitney used to sell an additive for this purpose- apparently not anymore. There are businesses, I understand, which renovate batteries and resell them.
    As for motor oil, it's life can be extended by several times the norm using a coreless toilet-paper filter.

  • Ken Larsen 9/9/2009 2:10:13 PM

    I believe it is possible to extend battery life, but not with oil. JCWhitney used to sell an additive for this purpose- apparently not anymore. There are businesses, I understand, which renovate batteries and resell them.
    As for motor oil, it's life can be extended by several times the norm using a coreless toilet-paper filter.

  • Bearclaw 2/13/2009 1:19:07 PM

    I would ask your friend to show you his last forever oil soaked battery.

  • jay 12/1/2008 10:23:50 PM

    My understanding is a lead acid battery can live about 3 times as long provided the old acid is drained and replaced with fresh. Apparently the acid goes bad and therefore the battery. I would imagine 1/2 gallon of acid is cheaper than a new battery.

  • Denvy Larson 7/5/2008 12:47:03 AM

    Did all the comments about the batteries from Owners of battery companies, or did they try it and see disasterous resesults?

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