ReVolt: Used Battery Reconditioning

ReVolt Research is the maker of the original ReVolt3000 car battery recycling charger tools made possible thanks to Kickstarter, as well as the new ReVolt Pro-S1 and the new ReVolt AuGoose reconditioning and maintenance systems for remanufacturing lead-acid batteries.

ReVolt Used Car Battery Recycling Reconditioning Charger

ReVolt Research is developing enhancements to the use-procedures and product features for the ReVolt3000 family of products, and is currently releasing a new generation of products for 2020.

ReVolt Reconditioning Charger Used Car Battery Recycling

In its search for constant improvement in the effectiveness of ReVolt3000-based systems for recovering dead car batteries and extending the lives of a working battery, Revolt Research recycles many otherwise discarded as dead car and truck batteries which are then remanufactured and sold through ReVolt Battery Exchange outlets.

ReVolt Used Car Battery Charger Reconditioning Recycling

This gives Revolt Research a great amount of in-the-field data to analyze and make product improvements with. It also provides customers of the Revolt Battery Exchange, batteries for only $25 and helps clean up yards, garages, car dealers, auto shops, farms, etc. by keeping batteries out of the trash/recycle process which otherwise would still cause pollution.

ReVolt Used Car Battery Recycling Reconditioning Charger

Revolt Research is not a public entity at this time.  Please direct any questions you may have regarding investment or other interests to its owning entity, ZTech4, LLC.

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ReVolt3000 Model 1P & 1EXP

ReVolt3000 Model 1P

The Ultimate TOOL for battery repair and maintenance.

Finally!  An affordable battery maintenance system of commercial quality and power at a consumer price!  Save LOTS of money or even make money by Recovering dead batteries, Extending the lives of working batteries, or simply recharging them with just this single unit!ReVolt3000

The ReVolt3000 Battery Maintenance System is a battery tool designed primarily for 12V lead acid Car, Truck. Boat, RV, Airplane, UPS, Solar and Motorcycle batteries, but can also work with other batteries.  The ReVolt3000 1P is designed to recover dead batteries, extend the life of working batteries or simply recharge them as needed.

The ReVolt3000 model 1P is capable of charging one battery while also rejuvenating another and requires no chemicals.  Typical lead acid batteries ranging from 1 AH to 100 AH capacities can be serviced with the Model 1P.  The Recover/Rejuvenate function operates on batteries from 6 to 24 volts.  However, the dedicated no-fault charging system is for 12 Volt only. Save your money and time by extending the useful lives of batteries up to 300% and beyond!

Purpose

The ReVolt3000 system is an all electronic device which has been developed to repair and maintain automotive, truck and boat batteries as well as many others. The ReVolt3000 is priced similar to units which claim similar properties, but are far weaker, use a less effective method, and are designed to install into a vehicle to maintain just one battery. ReVolt3000 functions similar to other commercial units which start at about $2,500 but is about 1/10 the price.\It is meant to be used by small garages or fleets, farms, ranches, etc. to keep batteries at peak performance well beyond their rated lives, or to bring back batteries which are no longer usable.  In poorer countries a single ReVolt unit may be able to extend the usable life of battery powered equipment or systems in small villages and towns allowing the money otherwise spent on batteries to used elsewhere more productively.

Theory of operation

The ReVolt3000 is intended to be used to improve the performance of, or rejuvenate dead, 12 volt lead acid automotive batteries and many others. Others include, NiCad, NiMH and Gel-types. Many similar devices use “Pulsing” to accomplish this. The ReVolt3000 uses a proprietary bi-phase pulse method designed not only to de-sulfate the battery but to clear small, low resistance zones or short circuits which can occur between cell plates that are in a contaminated baths.

The ReVolt3000 can not correct bad chemistry, dried cells or damaged plates. Therefore, it works best on batteries which have not fallen into these conditions which usually occur from long extended periods of no attention (like years of sitting outside exposed to the elements).  Nonetheless, trials of the ReVolt3000 on over 50% of the batteries from these extremes has still shown a success of recovery to typically 80% of the battery\’s original capacity (about equivalent to a battery with about 2 years of use).

The ReVolt3000 has two primary features: The revitalizer and the no-fault charger. Both can be used simultaneously on different batteries. The revitalizer can de-sulfate, clear small or low resistance zones and charge the battery all at once. The no-fault charger will simply recharge a weak battery, but often will do so when modern chargers can not.

Current Status: ReVolt3000 Controller

  • Automatically controls operation of the ReVolt3000.
  • Availability: To be determined ~2018.

Model 1P (110/220 VAC selectable) – Price $299

  • First Quantity run 100 for Kickstarter.com.
  • Progress: Design & Component Procurement
  • Estimated Shipping Month August 2014 – delayed.
  • Shipped between September 9/12/2014 and March 2015
  • ​Availability: Awaiting next production run

Model 1EXP (110VAC US only) – Pledge level $300

  • Limited quantity run for Kickstarter.com only  17 ever built.
  • Progress: Component Procurement and Assembly
  • Shipping started June 18th, 2014.
  • Completed shipping 2 weeks later.  END OF LIFE

Download the manual for the ReVolt3000 Model 1P and Model 1EXP
(12MB .PDF file): ReVolt3000 Manual RV3K1EXP-1PManualV1-3R

Video demonstration:

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q:Does the ReVolt3000 work on Lithium batteries.
    • A: No! Fire could result! The ReVolt 3000 is optimized for 12V lead acid batteries, and will work on other types (Gel, AGM, 6V FLA, 24V FLA, NiCad) but the effectiveness for these types is not thoroughly tested nor are recommendations provided for.
  • Q: Are other models of the ReVolt3000 coming?
    • A: Yes. There are further developments planned and some proto-typed already.
  • Q: Where can I buy the ReVolt 3000?
    • A: The final kickstarter.com units were sold in Q1 of 2105. Production is planned to start again Q4 of 2016.

Revolt3000 Pitch from 2015

Note: This is the ReVolt3000 pitch from Q1 of 2015 preserved in its entirety and covers the evolution of the ReVolt3000 that was presented in the Kickstarter campaign.

ReVolt3000

$ave a battery, save the world!

An affordable, commercial quality, powerful, battery recovery, maintenance and life extension system for consumers and small businesses.

Why did I create the ReVolt3000?

Automotive Battery rejuvenation and battery life extension is a possibility I’ve known about for decades. It’s not magic, gee-wiz science or even unique. But it is hard to find a unit capable of performing like thousand dollar commercial units at a consumer price. So, I decided I would make one with a target retail price of $250.

What is ReVolt3000?

ReVolt3000 is specifically intended to be a small business or consumer level device to revive dead batteries, and to extend the life of working  batteries many fold.  These intended batteries are expensive lead-acid type rechargeable batteries typically used in larger applications from scooters to solar arrays but focusing on usual car, truck, boat, RV and aircraft like batteries. However, the ReVolt3000 also has the ability to revive and extend the life of other types of batteries as well such as Gel-cell, NiCad, NiMH and others.

History of development.

ReVolt3000 started as my mild interest in battery recovery (rejuvenation) and service longevity. Familiar throughout most of my life with battery chargers, charging techniques and crude “pulsers”, I knew that most lead-acid types of car batteries as well as others (gel-cell Ni-Cad, NiMH, etc.) were not seeing their full potential because of the charging options or practices.

Having a few too many automobiles, I started to note the rise in price of replacement batteries and began to explore and experiment with rejuvenation/extension methods.

I focused on automotive type batteries (car, truck, RV, boat, motorcycle) specifically. After exhausting my personal supply, I began running ads to buy dead batteries from people, I soon had pallets of dead batteries in my backyard – some had been left sitting dead for 10 years or more in peoples fields, yards or garages.

As a baseline, I first gauged the effectiveness of the old Diode/Light bulb method.

Crude LightbulbDiode method = DANGEROUS!
Crude LightbulbDiode method = DANGEROUS!

This provided some measurable results, and some baseline expectations, but certainly was not at the level of performance I wanted nor was it usable as a product due to many safety issues. Now with some numbers of what the worst solution could offer, (about a 20% success rate), I knew it was worthwhile and that I could do much better.  I went through numerous methods from other designs on breadboards until I finally arrived at my own effective drive system.

Breadboarding allows rapid attempts at numerous designs.

After cycling through hundreds and hundreds of dead batteries, I was able to optimize my method and best practices.  At this level of development, I found that the success rate of recovery with my newest design and method was high enough to actually make money reselling these batteries for people in need of replacement automotive batteries. So, I cut my first circuit board of this design and made a prototype to put to work.

Unit 0 (#1) of selected design.

Soon, the battery rejuvenation business became too much as neighbors became worried about the number of people visiting my home. Yes, I could have taken this into some sort of traditional business. But that was neither my desire nor my goal. My goal was to build and manufacture this device as well as even more advanced units in the future. So to that end I have persevered, creating many revisions and prototypes.

A long line of trials and improvements.

I wanted something very utilitarian, durable and serious. I’ve always appreciated the seriousness of a black steel box. I wanted all my safety components to be re-settable and externally accessible. I wanted maximum cooling and very simple operating panel. And thus, in November of 2013 the first ReVolt3000 unit was built and sold to an aircraft repair business which continues to use the unit today. Finally I produced the first pilot production units and began tracking their performance.

First couple ready to go!

How the ReVolt3000 can help others around the world. When you look at the number of these batteries in service throughout the world, and in poorer countries especially, you can see that people and the environment would benefit greatly from the lower cost and reduced waste created by extending the life of these batteries by 4 or more times their rated lives. Thus lower cost of ownership, and a slower stream of these batteries entering landfills by extending their service lives benefits both the owners and the environment. In many make-shift solar, wind or other power storage applications found in poorer countries or off-grid rural situations, a battery healthcare system like ReVolt3000 can quickly save thousands of dollars. You see, batteries have “cells”.  And while a battery maybe useless once one of these cells is dead, it doesn’t have to be.  This technology can still revive parts of cells which can still be utilized in these applications even if the entire battery cannot be revived because of internal damage to other cells.

Since these batteries are often made of multiple cells in series, if one cell fails, it renders the entire battery useless. “Cell-spiking” is where an individual cell that has failed and is purposely shorted out by driving a “spike” into it to make the battery useful again. For example a 12 volt battery with a bad cell is useless. But short out the bad cell and now you have a good battery again, except it is now 10 volts. None-the-less, in many situations like rural and poor countries where space is not a premium, these types of batteries can still be combined to make up the proper operating voltages for their needs and continue to operate for years.

Some solar farm batteries for testing with the ReVolt3000.

How does it work?

The ReVolt3000 is intended to be used to improve the performance of, or rejuvenate dead, 12 volt lead acid automotive batteries and many others. These others include, NiCad, NiMH and Gel-types. Many similar devices use “Pulsing” to accomplish this. This is associated with reducing the build up of Lead Sulfate which accumulates and covers the plates when left discharged, thus reducing their effectiveness and, if left unaddressed can eventually grow render the battery useless.

The ReVolt3000 uses a proprietary bi-phase pulse method designed not only to de-sulfate the battery but to clear small, low resistance zones or short circuits which can occur between cell plates that are in a contaminated baths. The ReVolt3000 cannot correct bad chemistry, dried cells or damaged plates. Therefore, it works best on batteries which have not fallen into these conditions which usually occur from long periods of no attention (like years of sitting on the ground exposed to the elements in a backyard). Nonetheless, trials of the ReVolt3000 on many of these “junk” batteries exposed to those extremes has still shown a success of recovery to typically 80% of the battery’s original capacity (about equivalent to a battery with about 2 years of use).

Heavily sulfated plates (the white crystal/powder).

The ReVolt3000 has two primary features: The revitalizer and the no-fault charger. Both can be used simultaneously on different batteries. The revitalizer can de-sulfate, clear small or low resistance zones and charge the battery all at once. The no-fault charger will simply recharge a weak battery, but often will do so when modern chargers cannot.

Page from preliminary manual.

Prescribed usage:

To get the most benefit from ReVolt3000, it is recommended that you give periodic treatments to your working batteries once or twice a year (4-8 hours of treatment). This allows for the maximum benefit and life extension by reversing sulfate build-up before it has an opportunity to do irreversible damage to the performance and life of your battery.

Actual Operation:

In this video, I demonstrate the ReVolt3000 recovering a junk battery. As mentioned earlier, I bought hundreds of junk batteries from people for testing various rejuvenation strategies. This particular battery was one of the last ones from the last batch I had purchased. It had been left sitting for a few years but that was all I could remember from the seller.

From my experience with this assortment of batteries, it had a 50/50 chance of recovering. It was recovered, although not the strongest, it did climb into the low side of the “good” range under load.

Under the hood.

The heart of the ReVolt3000 is a durable linear power supply, powerful inductors and capacitors along with powerful switching to create and control a unique bi-phase energy that de-sulfates and busts low-resistance zones in the battery. Heat is quickly removed by a powerful long-life fan. Superior circuit protection is provided by 3 externally resettable circuit breakers.

Why you can trust me.

The ReVolt3000 is no longer just a few prototypes. Over 100 units have been built and shipped all over the world. So you have no worries that the ReVolt3000 is just vaporware, it’s very real.

ReVolt3000s shipping

But, the ReVolt3000 is still very early in its infancy, which is why it needs your help and support. I have been a practicing Hardware and Software Engineering in a commercial and manufacturing environment for over 30 years.

I currently operate the engineering and production arm of successful computer hardware manufacturing company. I have owned and run companies for over two decades which have produced both hardware and software products from end to end. In practicing engineering of hardware and software solutions for decades, and being a serial entrepreneur, I’m thoroughly experienced in the necessities of a production project from all the technical aspects to the business and financial needs.

I’m very hands on at all levels when necessary as well as experienced and good at building creative, energetic, competent and cohesive teams. I pride myself on completing projects on time and within budget. I will be using most of the same techniques, networks, and shops I’ve come to know and trust over my many years developing numerous products. Most of these resources I have and use are right here in Reno, Nevada.

I am honest, hard working, dedicated and genuine. Although I can be quite a geek about things, integrity and customer service are my top priorities. Finally, I am no stranger to failure. I’ve always protected and honored my partners, shareholders and investors in bad times while following through with whatever needs to be done. You can rest assured that my progress updates will be regular and frequent, and any notifications of delays or other issues while be sent swiftly.

​And, if you took the time to read through all of this – WOW – thank you!

First Production Journal:

05-22-2014 – The batch of parts are in.  Weighed in excess of 500lbs!  They filled up the back of my Durango!

05-25-2014 – First batch of parts all unpacked, accounted for and sorted into production bins.  But some of the mess remains!

6-11-2014 – First 15 units completed.  Packaging designed.  Manual version 0.9 updated.  Shipping to begin on or before June 18th.  Here is how your ReVolt will be packed: The ReVolt unit, will have Lead isolators for each lead set. The ReVolt3000, Instructions, Leads and 12′ A/C Power cord will be placed inside a 6X6X10 box, packed tightly. The 10X6X6 box will then be surrounded by about 1.5″ of foam peanuts and inside another carton of 12X9X8 dimensions. Finally a warning sheet, which explains to carefully open then inner carton and not to let a knife penetrate much below the tape of the inner carton (or risk slicing a cable), and the top layer of packaging peanuts is laid in before the box is compressed and sealed.

06-18-2014 – First 6 Units ship!!! Remainder to ship within the next 5 to 7 business days.

06-18-2014 – continued.  All boxed up and ready for shipping labels.

07-22-2014 – New prototype sheet metal for international version.  Note additional voltage selector on back.  The production run will have the index 180 degrees from this prototype so that the selector switch is right-side up. Note the additional hole on the front.  The 12 Volt ReCharge leads will not exit through the same hole as the revitalize leads will as was with Model 1Exp.

09-09-2014 – It’s been a bit but that doesn’t mean things haven’t been happening!  Posts did go out on KickStarter between then and now.  But here is a shot of the very first Model 1P built!  And, I’ve updated the manual to include the backside for setting the voltage. Unit should start shipping late this week and next.

09-30-2014 – All Kickstarter units have been built and shipped.  Project funded and completed.  Thank you all!!!!

Now for the next project 🙂  The world needs more ReVolts!

ReVolt3000: The Science of Rejuvenating and Extending the Life of Batteries

The Science of Rejuvenating and Extending the Life of Batteries.

Simple battery rejuvenation is not new, nor is it magical.  The techniques have been known and in practice for nearly a century.  The ReVolt series of battery rejuvenators starts with these basics and add modern practices and technology along with discovered weaknesses in current charging systems to produce a compact, reliable and effective system of battery rejuvenation and charge technology which is affordable yet will allow you to recover, maintain and utilize your lead acid batteries and other types for typically 4 times their normal rated life.ReVolt3000 RV3K1P-100-ON

In lead acid batteries, the battery’s performance depends primarily on plate surface area within each cell.  The plate surface area is lost when undesirable deposits accumulate on the plates.  Also, undesirable deposits or contamination can cause short circuits between the plates.  Assuming there are no other dysfunctions, the ReVolt3000 can usually fix these problems with no need to enter the battery.  The ReVolt3000 can also generate spikes up to 800 amps to blow through low parasitic resistance areas between the plates and can generate the voltages and frequencies necessary to break up deposits which cause the reduction of plate surface area.

ReVolt3000 systems also service other types of batteries such a NiCad, NiMH and Lead Acid Gel-Cell types.

Battery rejuvenation not only allows for great savings as batteries become more expensive, but also reduces the time and hassle associated with battery system replacement.  The ReVolt3000 systems offer not only these benefits, but is an effective piece of equipment to those in the battery rejuvenation business.

ReVolt3000

“I had a successful run with the ReVolt this weekend. The battery in my van is nearly 10 years old, and I’m surprised it has lasted this long, because my van mostly sits in the driveway. On Friday evening the resting voltage on the battery was about 12.3, and I put the ReVolt on it. I only had an older 5 ball hygrometer, and it was floating 2 of the 5. By mid-day Saturday it could float 3 balls, and by Sunday afternoon, it was floating 4. The lightly rested voltage was about 13.3.”
– Tesla employee.

ReVolt3000 – you have found the machine!