Rather than supplanting it with another battery each time it died, you could get your vehicle battery reconditioned.
While this may not be feasible for damaged or extremely old batteries, battery reconditioning is a typical method for extending the lifespan of a battery.
What Is Battery Reconditioning?
Battery reconditioning is the process of returning drained battery cells to full health and charging capacity.
Yet, why is reconditioning even required in any case?
The lead acid battery creates electrical energy through a chemical reaction between its electrolyte fluid (comprising of sulfuric acid and water) and lead plates.
Each time a battery discharges, lead sulfate crystals structure on the battery plates. At the point when the lead acid battery is re-energized, the lead sulfate disperses.
Nonetheless, not every last bit of it disappears.
With time, the lead sulfate crystals develop, influencing the charging and discharging capacity of the battery. This condition is called sulfation.
Sulfation makes the battery go through longer charging times, have less charge capacity, and become less effective until it at last can’t hold a charge.
Here’s where battery reconditioning steps in.
The battery reconditioning process assists clean off the excess lead with sulfating crystals in each battery cell and replenish its electrolyte solution, permitting the battery to function practically like new.
Different Types of Lead Acid Batteries
Things being what they are, how is battery reconditioning done?
Above all…
Safety Measures
To begin, suit up with your protective gear. The battery electrolyte contains sulfuric acid, and you need no on your skin or apparel. Ensure you work in a very much ventilated area if there should be an occurrence of splashes, spills, or released fumes.
Check your vehicle battery for any sort of damage cracks, bloating, or leaking. Try not to recondition a physically compromised battery. Get another battery.
Check The Battery Voltage-3
Checking the battery voltage will let you know if the battery is viable for reconditioning.
The standard 12V vehicle battery has six cells. Each battery cell creates a cell voltage of 2.1V, so a healthy battery reading will be around 12.6V.
Contact the voltmeter or multimeter (that is set to understand voltage) to the battery terminals the red link to the battery’s positive terminal and the dark link to the adverse terminal.
The battery might be reconditioned for a voltage reading between 10V-12.6V. In the event that it’s under 10V, you have a totally drained battery and ought to supplant it.
On the off chance that everything is fine, you’re prepared to continue with the reconditioning process.
Lead Acid Battery Reconditioning
Battery reconditioning should be possible on both an overflowed lead acid or fixed battery.
It includes these seven stages:
Blend The Cleaning Solution
Blend the baking soft drink in with distilled water to make a watery glue. The ratio ought to be 2:1 or 1:1 between baking soft drinks to distilled water. Utilize no other sort of water (like faucet water) as these may contain unsuitable trace minerals.
This solution will go about as a battery cleaner and furthermore neutralize any acid spills.
Clean The Battery Of Corrosion
Segregate the battery links, the negative (- ) battery terminal first, then the positive (+) terminal.
Apply the cleaning solution to any corroded battery terminal, then, at that point, utilize the toothbrush or steel fleece to scour. Corrosion impedes the exchange of electrical energy, so eliminating it from the terminals and link connectors is significant.
On the other hand, a dedicated battery terminal cleaner would likewise work here.
Supplant The Battery Electrolyte
Break up 120gm of Epsom salt in 1 liter of distilled water (this makes an electrolyte of 1 molar concentration). You can heat up the water to assist with dissolving the Epsom salt. Blend it well until there aren’t any solids left.
Fill each battery cell and close the battery covers. Shake to equitably convey the salt.
Void The Battery Cells
Eliminate each battery cap and spot them in a temporary container, so you don’t lose them. In the event that it’s a fixed battery, utilize the flathead screwdriver to pry off the battery cover and battery cell covers under.
Cautiously vacant the battery acid from each cell into the pail.
Add around 500gm of baking soft drinks to the container to neutralize the battery acid, so it’s safe for disposal at a recycling center.
On the off chance that there are any spills, pour the baking soft drink cleaning solution to neutralize this as well.
Re-energize The Battery
Set the battery in a completely safe area.
Eliminate the battery covers again as an additional precaution, the electrolyte solution will warm up and may overflow during charging.
Interface the battery charger to the battery terminal, the red wire to the positive terminal, and the dark wire to the adverse terminal.
Keep the charger as far away from the battery as could be expected, then, at that point, set it to charge an exceptionally low current of 12V/2 Amps. Charging at a low current permits the Epsom salt to separate the lead sulfate crystals on the battery plates.
Let the battery charger run for 24-36 hours.
Clean The Battery Cells
With a funnel, fill each battery cell with the cleaning solution. Supplant the battery covers and shake the battery between 30 seconds to 1 moment.
Once more, open the battery covers and void the cleaning solution into the pail.
Test Battery Voltage And Loading
Disconnect the battery charger and actually look at the battery voltage with the voltmeter. The readings ought to be around 12.42V. If lower, reconnect the battery charger and energize for an additional 12 hours.
On the off chance that everything is great, play out a rudimentary load test:
- Reinstall the battery, turn the start key to “ON,” and switch on the high beams
- Check the battery voltage once more
A voltmeter reading of 9.6V means the battery is great.
On the other hand, you could utilize a dedicated battery load analyzer for this on the off chance that you have one close by.
