Buying battery acid
Discussion
I bought a bike battery and in my foolishness failed to notice that it is a dry battery - with no acid bottle included to fill it due to the change in law. Yes, I should have actually read the description.
The weird thing is that I can buy the acid separately online...?
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/licensi...
The gov website is pretty unambiguous...if I buy the sulphuric acid in the required strength online, I am committing an offence.
Have the retailers basically not caught up yet?
The weird thing is that I can buy the acid separately online...?
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/licensi...
The gov website is pretty unambiguous...if I buy the sulphuric acid in the required strength online, I am committing an offence.
Have the retailers basically not caught up yet?
Edited by 7w7 on Tuesday 28th August 12:30
A member of the public cannot buy, acquire or have in their possession battery acid without a home office licence, unless that acid is part of a specific object (Eg. A battery).
It is legal to possess a battery which contains acid electrolyte. It is illegal to possess a dry battery and bottle of electrolyte.
Acid can be possessed as part of a business or trade without a licence. So, the powerfully built company directors amongst us, can buy and possess acid legally in the name if their company.
For the purpose of sale of lead acid batteries, the retailer needs to fill the battery prior to dispatch. Once inside the battery, the acid ceases to be a restricted substance.
There is no point in the retailer selling a dry battery to a consumer, as the consumer cannot acquire the acid with which to fill it.
It is legal to possess a battery which contains acid electrolyte. It is illegal to possess a dry battery and bottle of electrolyte.
Acid can be possessed as part of a business or trade without a licence. So, the powerfully built company directors amongst us, can buy and possess acid legally in the name if their company.
For the purpose of sale of lead acid batteries, the retailer needs to fill the battery prior to dispatch. Once inside the battery, the acid ceases to be a restricted substance.
There is no point in the retailer selling a dry battery to a consumer, as the consumer cannot acquire the acid with which to fill it.
I've bought several vehicle batteries "wet" (i.e. with acid already in them) online without a problem (car and motorcycle).
The sellers use a different courier if there are those such as Royal Mail who won't ship them. As long as they aren't turned upside down, it shouldn't be an issue.
I wasn't aware that they can't ship the acid separately but its understandable, and the restrictions on buying it. There's a car battery shop near me who would likely top up a dry battery for a small charge though.
The sellers use a different courier if there are those such as Royal Mail who won't ship them. As long as they aren't turned upside down, it shouldn't be an issue.
I wasn't aware that they can't ship the acid separately but its understandable, and the restrictions on buying it. There's a car battery shop near me who would likely top up a dry battery for a small charge though.
Edited by ianwayne on Tuesday 28th August 19:23
Reviving this old thread. For my classics I have always bought batteries form Lincon Batteries in Essex. They make classic rubber cased tar topped batteries that look the part in classic cars. Last one I bought was back in 2010 and was supplied with acid but now they supply them dry. So that begs the question, where am I supposed to buy the acid? I expect I can find a back street garage somewhere but as Lincon are one of the most well known battery manufacturers in the classic car market I wonder what they think people will do? 
Mail order apparently: https://www.chemicals.co.uk/battery-acid
Riley Blue said:
Mail order apparently: https://www.chemicals.co.uk/battery-acid
Although at bottom of that page it does state Please note we only deliver to registered UK business at non-residential addresses. Minimum order £100 net.Riley Blue said:
Mail order apparently: https://www.chemicals.co.uk/battery-acid
Only to Businesses, no domestic delivery. Minimum order £100.RichB said:
Reviving this old thread. For my classics I have always bought batteries form Lincon Batteries in Essex. They make classic rubber cased tar topped batteries that look the part in classic cars. Last one I bought was back in 2010 and was supplied with acid but now they supply them dry. So that begs the question, where am I supposed to buy the acid? I expect I can find a back street garage somewhere but as Lincon are one of the most well known battery manufacturers in the classic car market I wonder what they think people will do?
Ask them. 
kestral said:
RichB said:
Reviving this old thread. For my classics I have always bought batteries form Lincon Batteries in Essex. They make classic rubber cased tar topped batteries that look the part in classic cars. Last one I bought was back in 2010 and was supplied with acid but now they supply them dry. So that begs the question, where am I supposed to buy the acid? I expect I can find a back street garage somewhere but as Lincon are one of the most well known battery manufacturers in the classic car market I wonder what they think people will do?
Ask them. Edited by RichB on Friday 1st April 22:49
RichB said:
Yeah, obviously will do that but it was past business closing time when I read the email back from them confirming the type I need and noticed the chap said it would be supplied dry so I was just wondering. Guess I should have known better then ask other friendly car enthusiasts on here...
You can take it to any place that will have the acid and they will fill it for you. Most common places will be motorcycle shops as they do lots of batteries and also have to buy them in dry. But some old school garages may do it to. Edited by RichB on Friday 1st April 22:49
Since it is a car battery and will take more acid that a typical bike, call the bike shop first to check they can do it, but i have done it at a few round my way and they are fine doing it.
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