New battery laws

[jordan1]

Needed a new budget battery for a bike and now find that as from July 2018 they can't be supplied with an acid pack as always available previously. Apparently this is because the acid could be used in the manufacture of explosive devices. Managed to find a supplier who fills them before sending. What next I wonder.

 

[Seadog]

It was actually due to the spate of acid attacks, although concentrated sulphuric has always been difficult to get hold of. Nitric acid is the one that was banned as being an explosives precursor, if I recall correctly. For the same reason mercury is also on the list. You can still buy ammonia (although not 0.880) and hydrochloric (although less than 10%).

 

[Hopefuldave]

I heard it was thanks to the scooter thieves using acids as a weapon, since the middle of last year there are still low concentrations on sale but not strong enough for battery acid,
You can get an "Explosives, Precursors and Poisons" licence, £40 for three? years, if you have a tame copper or similar to certify your paperwork and can explain your reasons for wanting the chemicals - e.g. metal hardening, metal finishing, filling batteries?, cleaning solvents (acetone) etc.

When I remember what my grandpa had in his shed, I think he'd be locked up these (wimpy) days: cyanides, strong acids, you name it...

Dave H. (the other one)

 

[ukracer]

It was actually due to the spate of acid attacks, although concentrated sulphuric has always been difficult to get hold of. Nitric acid is the one that was banned as being an explosives precursor, if I recall correctly. For the same reason mercury is also on the list. You can still buy ammonia (although not 0.880) and hydrochloric (although less than 10%).

So getting a scrap battery and using the acid to throw on people is not going to be a thought for anyone deranged enough to do something like that?

I hate what this world has become......

 

[Hopefuldave]

It was actually due to the spate of acid attacks, although concentrated sulphuric has always been difficult to get hold of. Nitric acid is the one that was banned as being an explosives precursor, if I recall correctly. For the same reason mercury is also on the list. You can still buy ammonia (although not 0.880) and hydrochloric (although less than 10%).

Hydrochloric, Phosphoric aren't regulated, just "reportable", but so is a bag / tub of caustic soda crystals...

Dave H. (the other ones)

 

[gordon stephenson]

When my son was doing acid desiccation on potato crops a few years ago he was using 77% Sulphuric acid from a plant in Castleford to the tune of £80,000 per year,

 

[RonA]

Read somewhere you can judge a country’s net worth by how much Sulphuric acid it consumes.
RonA

 

[Chillitt]

Ive had a few sealed batteries for the grotty old bike Ive been trying to resurrect and it doesnt seem to make any difference except I'm less worried about accidentally kicking over the new ones, until ~I got a GPz550 which has a probe to replace one of the battery bungs and an idiot light to show the batteries health..electrical bodgery ahoy!

 

[frank horton]

just go the gel route, any position and no leaks.......all mine came ready to use......
I use em for motor ycles and elec bicycles.......

 

[Olderisbetter]

I dunno how strict things will get with all the chemicals but for some of use it cannot happen soon enough, I speak as the victim of my mates bottom making a serious attack on my health driving home a few weeks ago after he switched to a vegetable only diet.

 

[jordan1]

I dunno how strict things will get with all the chemicals but for some of use it cannot happen soon enough, I speak as the victim of my mates bottom making a serious attack on my health driving home a few weeks ago after he switched to a vegetable only diet.

Just hope he doesn't go Vegan

 

[Hopefuldave]

I dunno how strict things will get with all the chemicals but for some of use it cannot happen soon enough, I speak as the victim of my mates bottom making a serious attack on my health driving home a few weeks ago after he switched to a vegetable only diet.

Carbon Dibaxide, nasty stuff...

Dave H. (the other one)

 

[garethp]

I dunno how strict things will get with all the chemicals but for some of use it cannot happen soon enough, I speak as the victim of my mates bottom making a serious attack on my health driving home a few weeks ago after he switched to a vegetable only diet.

I've got a mate like that and it doesn't matter what he eats, I'm gonna start feeding him charcoal biscuits one of these days

 

[premmington]

just go the gel route, any position and no leaks.......all mine came ready to use......
I use em for motor ycles and elec bicycles.......

+1 for gel battery route (AGM).


Has anybody bought a Lithium battery yet for a bike (huge money)...?

 

[Gragson]

+2 for AGM

I got a GPz550 which has a probe to replace one of the battery bungs and an idiot light to show the batteries health..electrical bodgery ahoy!

Been there on GPZs about ten times

 

[Ruffian]

+1 for gel battery route (AGM).


Has anybody bought a Lithium battery yet for a bike (huge money)...?

Yes use them regularly on the track bikes.
Not silly money anymore (£80) but massive weight saving and can fit it pretty much anywhere. (One is fitted where the headlight was)

Need to make sure they don't go low voltage or overcharged as can be volatile but brilliant tech.

 

[earthman]

Another thing to consider with those Lithium batteries, you'll need a 'special' charger if you are use to keeping the vehicle connected to a trickle charger,......I have an old Optimate, that sure won't work with these new batteries.

 

[premmington]

Another thing to consider with those Lithium batteries, you'll need a 'special' charger if you are use to keeping the vehicle connected to a trickle charger,......I have an old Optimate, that sure won't work with these new batteries.

Valid point...


My Bosch C7 battery charger has a setting for AGM but not Li batteries.

 

[premmington]

Motorcycle batteries...

The guidance states ''A member of the public must provide a valid EPP licence and associated photo ID if they wish to buy or receive any of the regulated substances above the specified concentration limit.'' Battery acid falling into this category.

Online retailers will not be legally allowed to sell these acid packs with batteries to the general public. There is a maximum 2 year prison sentence if online retailers fail to abide by law. However, batteries can still be supplied, if pre-filled and charged, or sold from a business to another business with acid packs.

 

[Seadog]

So getting a scrap battery and using the acid to throw on people is not going to be a thought for anyone deranged enough to do something like that?

Precisely. More pointless legislation that makes it look as though those in power are actually looking to our interests