How do you check a physically damage battery?

[Ostinato]

I received a new AGM battery that had been dropped on the top corner slightly distorting the case. I would normally replace it but the factory is two months from another production run and no other identical batteries appear to be available in the UK or elsewhere in Europe. It was intended to be part of a 6 battery house bank.

The voltage is stable and I am told a thermal imaging camera could be used to look for hot spots but I do not have access to one. Does anyone have any other ideas?

[Rustic Charm]

I would not have accepted that. But no other ideas sorry.

[Ostinato]

The marina I am staying at accepted it without inspecting it. The courier has agreed to stand behind it but the lack of replacement stock is the ultimate issue at this point.

[colemj]

Are these some type of special AGM battery? AGM are very common batteries that should be available anywhere, and are usually produced continually. I would either send it back and wait (???) for another "run" (did the entire "run" go to waiting hands with no extra produced?), or get a full refund for the entire bank and buy something else. Frankly, unless I am misunderstanding your description, I would buy something else and not deal with a company doing bespoke battery production.

Mark

[Terra Nova]

Don't mix brands of batteries.

I would not have accepted it. But it does sound like the battery may be usable, as-is.

[smac999]

if you can't get another now I'd probably use the 5 batteries and add the 6th in 2 months.

I wouldn't worry about batteries in the bank being 2 months apart.

[HopCar]

Thermal imaging devices are expensive and not a lot of them around. How about using one of those infrared thermometer things to take a bunch of temp readings.

They're pretty cheap and you may be able to borrow one pretty easy. You may even want to buy one to add to your tool box.

The laser beam they put out also makes a great cat toy.

[mariner36bob]

Your local fire brigade likely has a thermal imaging camera. In the US, i have found fire departments more than willing to show off their toys. Especially if you arrive in the morning with donuts and coffee as a thank you.

[Ostinato]

Great suggestion! I was told you could look for hot spots with one and had thought using a infrared thermometer but this a better idea.

[boatpoker]

If the plates were pushed closer together, a hot spot may not show up for a while then normal sulfation may cause a short, a very high quality (and there is a big difference) thermal imager may show this. An infrared thermometer will not show an issue until after the fact.

The difference in what you can see with a $1,000 or a $15,000 thermal imager is amazing.

Google "thermal imaging, florida, marine surveyor" and you will find several in Florida. Hire only a "level III" certified thermal imager. These things are not nearly as simple as they look.

In the mean time I would not use that battery.

[colemj]

I think you need some perspective on this. Hiring out a high quality thermal imager and certified technician to check for a bad battery? This will cost more than the battery. If the company won't stand behind it, send them all back and buy from another company. Or get them to agree that you can use the damaged battery now until they replace it in a couple of months with a new one.

What brand/model of batteries are these that they are so special and are only produced in bespoke numbers during twice yearly production runs?

Mark