Battery age deterioration & rent time on your grid charger

[thejackyll]

I am in need of replacing a severely deteriorated battery in my 2000 MT and have found a used battery from a 2004 Insight that was wrecked about two years ago. In the time since the wreck the car was started and driven a few times (moved from point A to point B within a shop/yard while the owner decided whether to attempt a repair or part the vehicle out). Since then the car has remained idle and unused. The vehicle had only 24,000 original miles on it.

So we have a battery that is about 8 years old, with low mileage, and basically two years of remaining idle.

Is there a way I can get some relatively accurate picture of the state of this battery and how long it might last? I realize that both age and sitting idle have an affect on the condition of the battery but I am hoping there is some relatively simple way to gauge the health of the unit. I would like to find out all I can about the battery before making the purchase. I do have the ability to install it in a car and take it for some tests.

I know that putting the battery on a grid charger for two stints of six hours each will help. Does anyone in the Bay Area have a grid charger that I might be able to rent some time on?

Thank you all.

[retepsnikrep]

No there isn't any simple way of checking.

It will need at least 16hrs on the grid charger with the fan powered for an initial balance.

The best thing would be to buy it, then cycle each stick 3-4 times using a dedicated nimh charger like the superbrain to wake it back up and recover capacity, this will take a week with only one charger, then give it a final overall balance charge before fitting it. Should be OK then.

[thejackyll]

Thank you for the help.