Is my battery pooched? Kinda think it is....

[Case450]

I installed a master switch between the positive battery terminal and the starter solenoid on my Massey Ferguson 470 wheel loader because the battery would trickle off and die.
While removing the battery cables I noticed the rubber sheathing that coats it was brittle and cracked.
I then cut a heavy gauge jumper cable to replace the battery cable. I welded the switch mounting plate, installed the switch, installed all new connectors and tightened everything down.
While all this was happening I had the battery on the charger. When I put the battery back in I noticed it was fairly hot. The entire battery.

I put the voltmeter to it and it read 12.18 volts. The master switch works properly.

I am thinking this battery is a done deal on account of it not taking much juice but specifically getting hot.

Time for a new battery??
 

[dpendzic]

put ma resistance load tester on it and that will tell!
 

[marloweg]

12.18 v battery is junk . i changed mine over to truck battery with the bolt terminals and get them at my heavy duty truck dealer 1000cca for 70 some bucks that what i have in all my stuff
 

[steve n carol]

Okay.... i did this... it works!!!

in my CASE 450 was a huge CAT battery, it pooped out 3 years ago. At the same time I had a ford skip loader with another BIG battery, (read $$). Ir pooped out too. Both batteries sat in freezing weather for 2 years. I still don't know why both tractors had such BIG batteries???? one is a 3 cyl diesel, and the CASE is 4 cyl diesel. i had an old Sears battery I used to swap back and forth as needed.... I also had bought a generator/welder, that had a small12v battery, A two year battery. It pooped out a year ago.

8 months ago, I used a Turkey baster and removed as much electrolyte as I could to that I dumped in almost 2 pint sized cartons of Epson salts, and stirred it until it was all dissolved, it took 3 days and I had to add some distilled water too.

I topped up all three batteries w/the mixture, Charged all three. All of them sat on the Garage floor for 3 months after that.

The CAT was only holding about 10+ volts. it tested a bad cell.
The Ford tractor Battery was 12 + volts, as was the 2 year welder battery. I loaded up the Ford and welder batteries and took them up to my equipment and placed them both in service. I have gone up there 4-5 times since then and they are holding fine despite the freezing temps
 

[Case450]

I read about that on the internet but wasn"t sure if it was an urban myth or something...well in this case a country myth lol. I"ll have to try it on this dead battery.