Repairing a Burned-Out Car Battery Terminal - How I Fixed a 12V Battery Instead of Replacing It!

[@TechGorilla1987]

I used to work for a battery company and would go around and repair fork lift power packs. Quite often, we drilled out the interconnects between cells to replace individual cells. When replacing the cells, we used lead interconnects and used lead bar stock with propane torches to melt in new terminals. We would remove the caps of the cells in direct proximity to the hot work and flash off the hydrogen in those cells before continuing the melting operation. We had a form that we used if the cell we were replacing was of this post style. Not really sure it's relevant but that never stops me from commenting.

[@ricardopino4857]

Nice Junk 🙀🙊🙀

[@awemowe2830]

relevancy does not always make interesting Your post is interesting because it's insightful! :D

[@R.Sole88109]

Every comment is a sacrifice to the algorithm God.🙏🏻 😉😆

[@ionracer3284]

Thats really interesting. Never knew u could do that

[@KelikakuCoutin]

@@ionracer3284 "Never knew u could do that" Whatever you do, don't watch the KZbinrs who make videos where they replace their battery acid with epsom salts.

[@andrew.l.5493]

Most of us would've just replaced the battery. I wasn't aware such a repair was even possible. Nice fix Marty. Well done.

[@teneresand]

That´s some Pakistani Truck fix right there 😅👍

[@Frank-Thoresen]

Safety third in other words

[@WhiskeyGulf71]

That's where I have seen batteries being refurbished (of sorts) here on KZbin .

[@smartgorilla]

No flip flops were harmed in this adventure I think

[@TheAnalogKid2]

they cut off the terminal and pour molten lead into the mold as i recall.

[@pauljoseph8338]

@@smartgorilla flip flops are considered safety shoes in these countries. I’ve mostly seen vids of steel mill foundry workers in bare feet and loincloths.

[@jimgrady7458]

@1:35 You know you're a true DIY'er when you can say, "I'm going to wear a facemask in case it blows up" 🤣

[@MartyT]

😂

[@bevis226]

I've had a 1,200 amp lead acid deep cycle battery blow up in my face. Ya you definitely want to at-least wear a face shield when messing around with lead acid batteries. They will mess you up really really bad. I used to stick weld with some 6018 welding rod and a big battery on the farm when crap would break out in the field. Worked really really good but I quit doing it after I had a battery blow up.

[@brainiac_brian]

Wow. Because I've had a battery blow up on me a few times, I'm very leery of them. Beautiful repair. I didn't know that was possible. With a direct short, that battery has to be out gassing. You're a braver man than I!

[@KelikakuCoutin]

I've had that happen. I took a car to a shop and the mechanic hooks the terminals up backwards and turned on the charger. Lucky I was, nothing flew into my eyes. The top of the battery blew up, shattered into bits.

[@brainiac_brian]

@@KelikakuCoutin my first was in a parking lot at night. The top blew. I was covered in acid. Thank god I had my glasses on at the time. I surely would have been blinded.

[@BMC1100]

An auto electrician I used to use here in Australia about 40 years ago did the same type of repair but with a carbon rod as the electrode. He said to watch out, if you use too much heat at once the post will melt and plop into the battery. He would remove the caps and blow out the hydrogen and then cover the reinstalled caps with a wet rag. A battery will give off hydrogen when it's charging. I once blew up a large truck battery while using an angle grinder about 2 meters away from it.

[@rdeanbenson2214]

Good technic

[@andrewjones-productions]

I had absolutely no idea that such a fix was possible, so this video was very interesting and more importantly, informative and I learnt something!! Thank you Marty.

[@ericpaul4575]

Well I didn’t realize a battery could leak from a bad post. So I learned two things.

[@flowerstone]

Can’t say I’ve ever had a battery post go bad. But this is pretty cool. 😊

[@imikalfunangongo]

Greetings Marty from Los Angeles. Always something to learn.... I had no idea one can rebuild a battery terminal.

[@Mopar46]

Those Supercharge Gold batteries are definitely worth saving. They've given me good service over the years. I think the 2nd go around was what you are supposed to do; cut the remains of the terminal off, and recast the whole thing.

[@JamesPayne-cb1hu]

I have an old maintenance engineer’s handbook that gives advice on such repairs. Apparently there was a time when a lot of really big lead acid batteries were used in numerous industrial applications. Locomotives, switches, backups ect. Some facilities were large enough to have a battery shop on premises. They did a lot of maintenance and repair on batteries including replacing reagents and rebuilding terminals and interconnects. Apparently certain classes of industrial batteries were meant to be repaired so they were designed to allow for it. It describes cutting open jars and pulling plates. And it mentions this kind of tool for reforming terminals and reattaching interconnects after jars were reinstalled. Definitely the kind of book you want for the end of modern civilization.

[@murphymmc]

Interesting repair, I think I'd use the mold but melt the lead in a separate container, then pour it into the mold. The receiving end of the cut off pole would likely have to be heated to melt point to create a bond, that's where the electrode set up might be handy. You'll have to let us know how well the repair worked in the long term.

[@KelikakuCoutin]

Yes. But that's against the rules.

[@KelikakuCoutin]

I got a real charge out of this video and just have to put down here that this episode of the Marty T show was electrifyingly good, and I don't know what he is going to do to top this one. That remains to be seen. Thanks for the content. Keep up the good work. בס'ד

[@goofe.washington953]

I was shocked at how well this turned out, since I thought this battery was terminal. At the current time, I have a battery that also leaks, and if I can get the lead out of my butt, I might try to repair it. I normally have a negative attitude when attempting something like this, but after this video, I feel a bit more positive as to what the outcome will be.

[@brianelliot2719]

Thanks Marty, that’s the weirdest fix I’ve seen you do and probably one of the most interesting.😊

[@PS-Straya_M8]

Hello Marty from your fans in South Australia. Our family always looks forward to your videos! 😁😁

[@tubeDude48]

A semi-self healing battery post! 👍 Brilliant, Marty!

[@gazzafloss]

Marty, didn't know that could be done like that, I had to throw a reasonably good battery out for a similar problem, live n learn. Just watching Grand Designs NZ, folks building a place in a similar sort of bush/wilderness setting to your place. Cheers.

[@terryfromsouthcarolina4601]

Shocking! I couldn't help myself. The Brit is coming out of me. I saw that done years ago with a pump up gasoline blowtorch. I'm 66, so that was 55 years ago. Nice job, by the way, and great to the safety equipment! Cheers Terry

[@KelikakuCoutin]

Probably easiest just with a normal high wattage sheetmetal worker's soldering iron plugged into an electrical outlet. Most likely will garner a similar result, lead solder will melt pretty easily with enough wattage.

[@avrel820]

Good job fixing the battery terminal.. I have seen guys use a few screws to reinforce the terminal.. By Screwing a couple of shiny screws into the base of the terminal cutting off the top of the screws and then putting the circular moulding on top then pouring molten led in the centre of it rebuilding the terminal with reinforcement in the middle

[@johnkirby8849]

You got bigger kahoonas than me mate, I’d be scared it was going to go bang. Well done Marty

[@rollerchaos]

I've heard of that been done "in the old days" by some oldtimers, but never seen it. Very interesting. Thank you Sir!

[@ElQuesoGuapo]

Hi Marty. I've repaired a hole in a terminal (made by crossing the jumper cables) by soldering it and then filing it to shape. It was a pretty easy repair that can be done in the field with basic tools.

[@MartyT]

Yes I did try that but it didn't last long, it didn't bond, just plugged the hole. maybe I need a bigger solder iron

[@utubota5522]

Thanks Marty. I never knew such a repair kit existed.

[@eveningecho5334]

Thanks for this, I have one that I need to do. I remember my father doing this once, don’t know where he got the mould or where it is now. He sawed the terminal off a crapped out battery, melted it in a shoe polish tin using the burning gear on low heat and poured the new terminal. A1 on the face protection, nasty when they blow.

[@unclerobert7532]

Like the Pakistany on you tube

[@eveningecho5334]

😂😂

[@garyfrederick7607]

Marty when i fixed my battery.. kinda like yours i cut mine off all the way to botton. put some cut marks into bottom where i cut it off with a saw.. just enough so new lead would adere too. i put your sme mold over old short terminal heated lead up and poured inside mold let is adere to cuts in old terminal at bottom and then wiggled mold and i had new terminal. And to make it stronger you could always put a screw down the biddle put terminal mold over and then fill up mold with hot lead. wiggle and slide off... still have the same battery to this day. and i did that over 5 years ago. hope this helps. take car be safe another awesome video. keep them coming.

[@Nemesis-yn5wv]

Nice fix, I like it. I use the negative plates from old batteries to melt in new poles.

[@ionracer3284]

Far out!! Thats the coolest thing i'v seen in a long time! Who woulda thought? I would of been worried about it blowin up too lol.

[@geoffgorlick790]

Mate you could bake a cake and I'd watch it. Awesome stuff. Keep it coming

[@ian-c.01]

I'm surprised the plastic cap didn't melt with so much heat ! I'm good with a lot of DIY stuff, I'm not afraid to get stuck in and give most things a go but I think I'd rather leave a job like that to someone else ! That's not something you want to get wrong !

[@Gumboot-Cowboy]

WOW I never knew that repair was possible. Thanks for sharing Marty.

[@brendantaylor6879]

Great fix! Hopefully the battery is secured down after!

[@randyc4959]

I had one blow it's top off, about 12 hours ago. Had it in a vehicle with a charger on it. Needing to use the charger on something else, I decided to make another attempt at starting that car before removing the charger, so I got in the driver's seat, and the moment I turned the key ... BOOM!

[@ionracer3284]

been there lol scared the cheeze whiz outta me

[@FridayPartsOfficial]

Great video! The step-by-step instructions are super helpful.

[@GearheadStew]

Thats pretty cool, I didn't know that they sold a kit for this. That electrode looks a lot like a carbon arc torch electrode, I got a bundle of those from a neighbor that was cleaning out his shed to move. I'll try to remember this in case I ever need to do it, thanks Marty! 👍

[@dennisbjones]

Marty T, Jack of all trades and master of all of them ;-)

[@kizmetmars]

Nice job. I've seen a few videos of Pakistani people doing complete rebuild of batteries, nice to see similar techniques.

[@kenknight4560]

WOW, who knew this was even possible. Marty T for the win. Given the price of batteries today well worth the effort.

[@STMwoodturning]

Didn’t know this could be done. Wearing a respirator during lead melting is always a good idea.

[@rw-xf4cb]

I screwed a big NH200 battery terminal by not clamping the connectors down and lost a big chunk of the lead terminal. I just took a spare terminal connector clamped on hard (this time) and then with propane gas torch melted lead into the gap to fill it up - worked out well, the dozer started with no issue and now tighten down (usually) the terminals!

[@Frank-Thoresen]

Using a propane burner or Oxy-Acetylene burner with a small nozzle is absolutely safer than shorting the battery terminals.

[@simonilett998]

You've got bigger balls than me, Marty. But that comes from a past experience when I had a battery blow up in my face. Luckily I had safety glasses, long sleeves, long pants and gloves on, but no face shield. I'm glad I had my usual ppe on, but I wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary. It happened as I connected the 2nd jumper lead to a battery trolley to jump start a machine with a flat battery, and one battery on the trolley blew up. Although, I did put 2× slightly low charged batteries on the trolley in series to try to start a 12V machine, so there's that, but I didn't even consider there might be hydrogen hanging around the top of the batteries after a couple of previous jump start attempts, it only took that little spark connecting the 2nd jumper lead and BOOM🤯 will never do that again. Now I always connect the negative to the engine block of the flat car/machine as the last connction, never at the battery post. Ears were ringing afterwards as I went straight to the wash trough to wash myself down.🤣👍🇦🇺

[@ricardopereira771]

Quite amazing using a gouging rod in that way and it worked... 👌💪

[@2drx4]

I had no idea you could do this. Definitely learned something new here.

[@terryl7874]

Congratulations on over 500,000 subscribers!!!

[@joerodrigues3816]

Great video mate as always thanks again

[@AndrewHCann]

Excellent Video Marty T :) also did one similar to that way fix for battery for my dad years on his farm tractor for him! Shocking it work too and got farm tractor started up faster plus glow plug heater too on it relay setup Lol! Lots fun trick of trade to try out!

[@Monkeysic]

In tje military we had a repair kit, it had those molds and then a steel spoon to melt lead bar stock in and then pour it into the molds. Worked pretty good.

[@mischef18]

The result speaks for itself bro it works and you have a good battery out of it. Cheers for showing this. Safe travels to ya. Ken.

[@bmortlock1956]

Good Job, Mate !!! I did the same type on repairs back in the day myself !!! New lead works the best, but, recycle works too if it's clean. 😁

[@Diga784]

I like the fact you just do it and see how it goes.

[@josephlwallssr6166]

Gosh Marty, I have never seen a battery repaired before! I did not know a terminal, could be repaired.

[@goptools]

That's a pretty slick repair Marty. I wonder if heating the mold with a small torch would speed up the process and maybe make the lead flow a little better.

[@CSWmanofsteel]

😂😂👊🏼🤙🏼💪🏽 YOU ARE THE “MAN”!!! Just when I thought it seen everything, Marty you pull a rabbit out of a hat or should I say “BATTERY”🤙🏼😂. THANKS for sharing this video and for ALL of your AMAZING and entertaining content 🙏🏼🤙🏼💪🏽💯 ALOHA FROM THE “ BIG ISLAND”🤙🏼🤙🏼

[@larrywalker7759]

This brings a whole new meaning to the term "acid core solder".

[@thomasbroker69]

Nice one Marty, never even knew that was a thing..

[@67hr74]

Hi Marty, now you have the former for the lug could you just use the stick lead and a MAP Gas flame to heat it to melt the lead, bit like flood soldering. Another beaut video, thanks

[@JohnSmith-pl2bk]

Raw flame with hydrogen coming out of the hole through the post???

[@67hr74]

@JohnSmith-pl2bk seems possible, see post by Techgorilla1987.

[@JohnSmith-pl2bk]

@@67hr74 You can be lucky...or not.....

[@WayneCoke]

Interesting fix.

[@job38four10]

First time I seen a repair like this, I thought you was super charging a battery, good idea wearing mask.....

[@timbrake3404]

Given the price of new battery's. This is a worth while repair.

[@Japio1955]

👍🏻 Nice job…! Greetings from Sommelsdijk in the Netherlands…!

[@taurota1554]

Thanks for sharing and taking us along.

[@andru9102]

Scary repair!

[@grahameroberts8109]

I’ve seen Pakistani KZbin where they simply melt the metal and pour it into the mould.

[@donsurlylyte]

@@SKITZIZZZZAKINGDON i have not seen any of their cars blow up, maybe you can link some videos.

[@remog38]

Balls of steel Thanks Marty

[@kwinterburn]

I used to use carbon pencils to solder large lugs into cables , you are better off confining an arc to the end so the rod doesn't get hot, it increases the heat transfer , the battery repairers on PK skills do it very well

[@kellysrestorations.7397]

Didn't even know that was a thing. Interesting with good result.

[@toxaq]

Awesome as always. Never knew it was possible.

[@ohcrapwhatsnext]

I would think using a hand torch and heated up the mold and then place on top and then torch the lead into it would work too? I have never done one yet. Looks like you picked up another vehicle for the farm.

[@josephlwallssr6166]

Very resourceful!Good job!

[@williamd6967]

Damn never heard of this before.if it doesn't explode u got it made!!

[@GaiusSonofGermanicus]

"I'm gonna wear a face mask just in case it blows up at me and spits acid out". Gotta love classic Kiwi deadpan understatement.

[@willtricks9432]

Cheap tool if you have a few batteries. Nice job. Cheers

[@wideyxyz2271]

Nice job Mr T ❤

[@michigan102]

I love your use of kitchen knives 😂

[@sharedinventions]

Nice fix! Besides from the lung-protection we should also point out, that lead should not be released to the environment by any mean and by any amount. So we should collect all the sawdust, chips and small parts and either reuse them, or handle as toxic waste.

[@TgWags69]

You do know that lead is mined out if the ground, right? Lead by istelf is not toxic. It is only when you ingest it like when you used to eat paint chips or breathing fumes while it's hot and melted.

[@donsurlylyte]

lead is not that toxic in solid form, it isnt plutonium.

[@BensWorkshop]

Good work! Never seen that before!

[@blairparkinson8118]

Would drilling out the hole more make it easier to than having to cut it off and completely rebuild??

[@TimHollingworth]

Love your content. I always learn something from your videos. Just when I'm going to use your info, who knows?

[@ColinLennard]

As usual you never fail to amaze. Thanks for sharing. It is the first time that I have seen anything like that. That rod, is it normal to get red hot top to bottom? Is it because of the lead that requires melting?

[@linasvelavicius330]

Nice job!! Thanks for sharing.

[@kwerk2011]

Also makes a handy night light!

[@bubashalom8274]

Fascinating job and very dangerous, but nevertheless great job.

[@theessexhunter1305]

First from UK...What I did was to cut it off, make a casting ring like you have put a small self tapper in the centre then cast lead in to it. Much cheaper than a kit.

[@thedave7760]

how did you make a casting ring?

[@videodistro]

Hahahaha!

[@theessexhunter1305]

@@thedave7760 I formed it around a taper mandrel from a piece of 1,2mm strip of mild steel much the same as you make a cone. I made the patten in paper got it right opened it up and cut the shape then tapped it around.

[@HenryKlausEsq.]

Cool. Never seen this. Thanks Marty!

[@brettn4337]

G'day again from across the ditch Nice little DIY video there Marty, however I'm a tad disappointed you didn't McGyver it and somehow use a matchstick and gaffer tape 🤣

[@KiwiCatherineJemma]

Yeah, MacGyver would've been disappointed. I saw an old knife being used, but it definitely wasn't a genuine Victorinox Swiss Army Knife !

[@MrTakeaswig]

Can just use the moulds and melt some lead, just pour away, wouldnt be so worried about the chance of the battery popping then

[@paulw3182]

I think part of the repair is to heat the terminal sufficiently to bond to the lead underneath and fill the void - why the repair mold is larger in diameter than the original post - still i would remove the caps or plate of caps to vent gasses because as it heats gas is being produced. maybe have a fan blowing from behind you as well.

[@rendezvous_with]

I've always coated my terminals and clamps with dielectric grease to prevent corrosion, but it looks like you leave yours dry. Now I'm wondering if its worth doing!

[@socialghost4400]

Out of curiosity, what did that repair kit cost (with shipping etc) vs a replacement battery?

[@MartyT]

The kit was $40nzd, one of these batts new is $250

[@nickraschke4737]

That’s bonkers. Go Marty.

[@ozlakota1]

u can buy replacement brass terminals on temu same happed to me several times on 24v excavator

[@williamwales6619]

I can see the science behind it. Thanks for the vid. Later

[@StephanPluemer]

I also recast the battery terminal at my 4x4 Truck, it broke when I went to get bread for breakfast 🤣 (I was able to make a quick repair with a few screws), I used wood for the rough shape, I drove through the desert with it twice and it held...

[@hymermobiler]

At the factory they use a former like the one you have shaped for the post required but they use a gas torch to melt lead into the former. Caution though batteries make hydrogen so always make sure its blown away before putting heat into it or the whole battery willl blow itself apart!

[@FatLadofYork]

Last battery i had done, they just hacksaw'd the pole off flush, put the mould on then melted the pole with the gas bottles back into the mould.

[@mgmcneeley]

Anyone else think that Marty’s definition of “fairly new battery” is a minimum of ten years?

[@MartyT]

😆 Its about 3

[@nicholasproietto2500]

Best way to clean corrosion off terminals is to dissolve a couple teaspoons of baking soda in a glass of water, then pour over the terminals. Rinse with clean water. No more corrosion.

[@TheHomePros6221]

Your much better off cutting the post off then heating it in a small metal dish and then pouring the molten lead into the mold on the battery terminal, I’ve had really good success doing this, it’s much easier, cleaner, safer, does a better job and it eliminates the possibility of leaving voids and air bubbles.

[@rionijam727]

Was the lux your past family car or always your farm work horse?

[@MartyT]

Ive had it for 20 years, it was my daily till I had kids and needed more seats, now its a farm hack

[@rionijam727]

@MartyT thanks for the reply marty. You've surprisingly replied to me every time iv written to you. I'm on the east coast of Australia, got a few diggers, bobcat and a lucas mill so share a few similarities.

[@zenoelea8239]

Not sure that does the plates much good. Normally starting current is taken for a few seconds, that's a dead short across the battery for quite a while. Not only that you said that the hole when through to the inside 😲💥💥💥💥 But I still love your videos. 🤣🤣

[@rdeanbenson2214]

Done this in some extreme locations; wet cloth over batt. Core from Dcell batt, jumpers

[@foamyflightmaster9385]

That's a first, and seems quite successful