buying used battery packs - bad idea?

[robster959]

Hey all,

I'm considering buying few used/old battery packs from someone.  I believe they are Sanyo 3300 packs.  Apparantly they've only had a few runs through them, but they are several years old.  The seller said they took around 3600mah of charge, after a few cylces on his Novak.  I'm considering it because he says I can take them, and if they don't hold a charge for me, he'll take them back.

Is it worth trying, or will I find out that after a while they'll stop holding a full charge?  They're cheap approx $10US per pack, but I'm wondering if maybe I'd be better off just buying some cheap new 3300 packs.  I guess for me the age is the biggest factor.  How long do packs tend to last in terms of age, not in actually cycles of use?

Thanks for your help,

Rob

[akemag]

I´ve got several old packs with cars i bought. A what looks like a well used Tamiya 1700Mah Nicd is one of the best packs i´ve got. Also a battered Tamiya 1400 i got worked after some "recycling". A pack (3000Nimh)that i got with my Bush Devil got abused by me when i overcharged it and it became real hot. It has also worked well since then (2years ago).

I think quality packs from Tamiya etc can work even after a couple of years on the shelf. But i would not pay to much just in case. At 10$ i would have tried them for sure.

[rhenbelz]

Go for it, Sanyo makes good packs and just because a pack is old, if it hasn't been used much you can always wake it up with a couple cycles. $10 each sounds like a great price for what you are getting.

[Zjor76]

I agree!!!! Go for it!!

I once bought 12 packs, yes 12, from a guy and they were used constantly over 2 years. This guy was a pro racer, these got used every weekend.

They are ladder packs though, not stick packs. He always looked after his gear, charged and discharged them properly.

8 of them are 3800's and the other 4 are 3300's. I've had them just under 1 year with constant racing, and the 3800's still charge up to and no less than 4100 and the 3300's reach charge between 3600 and 3700!!! They are matched cells and have awesome numbers on them. My mate Pete drools over them constantly. [] (As well as always asking to 'borrow' them for the next race).

In my experience, a battery that is well maintained and still gets the numbers will perform regardless of age.

Grab them while you can at that price!! I would! [Y] 

[Shodog]

Here is my take on used batteries.  If you have a good charger, you may be able to reconditon them.  it's been my experience is that there is a reason people are selling the batteries.  Becuase if the battery worked killer then why get rid of it?

 It sounds like you have a chance to get some good batteries, if they don't work out then return them to your friend

[necronomicon]

i would say generally its a real gamble. If the packs have been well looked after and charged/ discharged properly and they are quality packs to begin with then go for it.

Budget packs in novice hands , forget it.

[DJTheo]

Buying used batteries is a risk like buying a used nitro engine. On the other hand if the seller states keywords like in your case "Novak charger", "measured capacity" it seems more that he is a experienced user which switches to better/more modern packs then a newbie who destroyed and wants to get rid of them.

Cheers