What are the forum's thoughts on salvage/junkyard 12V batteries?

Recon batteries make more sense the battery mart typically sells them for $35 which is less than the wrecker and they actually are in some cases “new” but with a re-flowed terminal or repaired casing.

Many wreckers test, float and clean up junk batteries but they usually aren’t as good of a deal as a recon from an independent battery retailer

 

Sorry; I'm going to have to raise the BS flag on that one. How do they get a 500CCA battery up to 750CCA. Those reconditioned/refurbishers usually just clean up, recharge and test those batteries. That's how they can offer them for $50. Now a salvage yard sending them out, getting them refurbished, then bringing them back to sell is kinda unheard of here. Most yards around here are glad to get rid of them for pennies, so they don't have to deal with the proper LEGAL disposition of them. Those junk yards are not in the business of paying someone to legally and properly dispose of them.
I know of a few auto parts store that actually carry refurbished batteries, behind the back counter. You'll need to ask for them, so they don't compete with the new ones on the shelf. Those are usually the most common battery sizes (ie. 24 and 24F), a weird AGM battery for a Prius may take a few days; if they can even get their hands on one. Only standard 30 days taillight warranties applies to them.

YMMV

 

In our group size you will not get over 500cca in AGM now lifpo maybe different . 750 to 1000 those group sizes are huge like my volt and Volkswagen Passat v6 or such.

 

No but it's a good core. You'll avoid the core charge and won't have to return to get a refund.

 

In theory traditional 12V batteries can be fully restored if the case can be opened so that the lead plates can be chemically treated. Or I guess mechanically if a thinner plate is acceptable. The trick is resealing the case so that it never, ever leaks. When the top is off the battery posts can be replaced. After all that work it will be as good as new - but not better. To make it better (more capacity) the plates would have to be made larger. That might just be possible with an optima battery since the plate is rolled, but I have never heard of anybody actually doing it.

 

Never seen a chain, some independents do this sort of work. For instance, my son once bought some used batteries for an RV from this fellow:


Lee's Batteries | Battery Shop | Baldwin Park, CA


Used batteries aren't their only business, they also sell new. I would expect any shop in this business would sell both old and new.