Cracked Koehler Battery

chemistry1969 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 08, 2009 6:30 pm

This is my first posting and I have a question for anyone out there. I recently purchased a Koehler Wheat Lamp on-line. When I got it, it had a crack in the one cell next to the clear filling port just below the fill line. I tried J-B Weld Adhesive on it and it worked for about two weeks. I believe that the sulfuric acid in the electrolye deteriorated the adhesive and it is again leaking. Does anyone have a suggestion or should I look to buy a new one?
This is a GREAT on-line site!!!!!

Chris · **Posted:** Wed Apr 08, 2009 7:08 pm

hmm youre probably going to need a new one if jb weld didnt hold up. did you prep the surface well before applying it? sand it good with 80-120 grit paper and clean with mineral spirits or naptha..... should have that on hand as a fuel for a safety lamp anyways. then clean it with denatured alcohol to get any residue from the naptha or mineral spirits. once the alcohol evaporates apply jb weld. if this doesent work i cant think of anything that will seal it.

Doug · **Posted:** Wed Apr 08, 2009 7:13 pm

What about a plastic solvent/cement?

If there was a way to open the crack a bit and get the solvent in the crack. Or use a similar type of plastic as a patch over the crack.

Chris · **Posted:** Wed Apr 08, 2009 7:28 pm

you could use a dremel cut off wheel and cut the crack out bigger. that may work better, good idea.

chemistry1969 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 08, 2009 8:17 pm

Thanks to Chris and Doug for your reply. I will give it a try.

Doug · **Posted:** Wed Apr 08, 2009 9:15 pm

I was thinking of maybe just forcing is open a bit. For a solvent cement to work you will have to be able to close the crack.

Maybe pry it open with a straight pin or toothpick.

Brian · **Posted:** Wed Apr 08, 2009 9:22 pm

there is a marine grade jb weld that seems to work better than standard jb weld

O.V.C.C. Mike · **Posted:** Wed Apr 08, 2009 10:45 pm

Try super glue it should melt the plastic together. It has worked for me on are batteries. They make a water prof gel now.

Miner Greg · **Posted:** Sat Apr 11, 2009 12:56 am

My only concern is the affect of sulfuric acid (battery acid) on the glue. Depending on the glue, I'd imagine the acid winning the battle...

Miner Greg

BELLAERIC · **Posted:** Sat Apr 11, 2009 9:41 am

what kind of glue does koehler use to glue those little windows in with... I know the rest of the battery looks like it is ultra sonicly fused but the windows look glued, maybe you could call up koehler and find out

Doug · **Posted:** Sat Apr 11, 2009 10:59 am

While were are talking about battery repairs. Is there anything that can be done to boost a battery?

One of mine runs down in about 2 hours?

Chris · **Posted:** Sat Apr 11, 2009 11:51 am

you can try cycling it a couple times but it sounds like you need a new battery doug.

Cracked Koehler Battery

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