How To Recondition A Lead Acid Battery

The simplest model of lead batteries consists of two polar plates with lead embedded in an electrolyte solution of sulfuric acid. Due to the effect between sulfuric acid and two plates of lead plates, on the surface of the two plates, pbSO4 lead sulphate layer appears. Since the components of the two plates are the same, so the voltage is 0. If you put a 1-way power source into the 2 polar plates of the battery, the polar side (+) will appear PbO2 layer, while at the polar side (-) will revert to lead metal. When charging, the density of battery solution will increase gradually, because in this process sulfuric acid (H2SO4) is generated. If at this time a load is connected to the two poles of the battery, the battery will discharge.
See also: Structure and operating principle of Acid Batteries
In this case, the direction of the current and the chemical process will be opposite to the charging process. When the battery discharged in both plates has lead sulphate layer (PbSO4), the concentration of the solution will decrease because a part of sulfuric acid turns into water.
The results of reactions in the charging and discharging process of the battery are shown as follows: On the anode: PbO2 PbSO4
On the negative version: Pb PbSO4
In solution: H2SO4 + H2O, Other technical versions of lead-acid batteries are:
  • Accu Lead Acid (LA) is an AGM - VRLA airtight technology lead
  • Lead Lead - Carbone (LC / LCA)
  • Accu Gel (LG or GEL / OPzV technology lead battery) has a gas-free mode during charging and discharging commonly called an battery - dry.


Causes of broken battery status:

Due to the accu use for a long time, because the solvent (water in the battery) is not pure or due to the error of charging and maintaining the battery, there will be many precipitates of gray white solid on the surface of the plate. The main component of this solid precipitate (usually up to 98%) is lead PbSO4 sulfate.
Excessive presence of lead sulfate on the polar plate surface prevents electrochemical processes and severe degradation of the capacity leading to an increase in battery internal resistance. Part of the material of the battery is quickly disintegrated into a dark brown sludge depositing the bottom of the battery and creating internal leakage. This leads to the fact that the battery cannot be fully charged so the maximum power is reduced badly and it is not possible to use it anymore.
In most cases, the battery is identified as damaged and needs to be replaced. The cost of replacing batteries is very high and is often a burden for users. Therefore, in advanced countries, there are many ways to recover the battery's usability to extend battery life.
The formation of sulfate layer on the surface of the plates of lead batteries is a mandatory and natural phenomenon in the discharge process. The lead sulfate layer formed in this process has a small crystal structure. See photo 1:

Causes of broken battery status



This sulfate is very easily reconstituted into lead metal (-) and lead oxide PbO2 at the pole (+) during charging.
If discharging with a large current and for a short time, the sulfate layer only forms on the surface of the plates, while when discharging with small currents and prolonged time, the sulfation process can penetrate deep into the plates. pole. The above-mentioned sulfate phenomenon is called normal sulfate, not leading to battery casing.
The second form of sulfate, often called unusual sulfate, is electrochemical like normal sulfate, except structurally including large crystalline sulfate crystals, and over time they growing up, forming an inert, hard shell covering part of the surface of the plate.
Removing this unusual sulfate layer by conventional charging methods is difficult, which can lead to battery damage. Unusual sulfate layer formed due to improper storage and use of battery. In essence of sulfate reduction process, recovering capacity for battery is to find solutions to disrupt leadless sulfate structure. usually on, to create a normal sulfate structure.
Small crystalline particles as shown in Figure 1 (above), then with conventional charging methods, electrochemical reactions can be carried out.


How to recover lead Acid batteries:

On the figure, the surface of the polar plate is shown in the sulfate reduction and capacity recovery process.

How to recover lead Acid batteries


Notice the drawing 2 above, the surface of the pole after having completed the sulfate reduction and capacity recovery process.
For motorbike batteries, the price is not too expensive to buy a new battery. However, for expensive batteries, you will save a lot of money when recovering batteries.
A specific example is the battery of 48V / 400 Ah forklifts that cost about $ 2,600 to $ 3200 if purchased new. The cost of recovering 100% of battery quality is only about 1/3 of the value, recovering brings great benefits to users.
Learn more: Auto Battery Reconditioning - Learn About the Secret

1. The basis of battery recovery is:

  • Reduces, neutralizes or removes brown mud.
  • Remove the amount of lead sulfate and other solid precipitates to the lowest level.
  • Increasing the amount of lead powder on the polar plate of the battery was decomposed into brown mud to compensate for the lost capacity.

2. Maintenance of battery to:

  • Neutralize the brown mud layer.
  • Prevent lead sulfate and other solid precipitates.
  • Prevents the increase in local sulfuric acid levels during charging with high currents.


3. detailed information on how to recover Lead Acid Batteries with Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom salt)

Heat half a liter of distilled water to 150 degrees F and dissolve 7 or 8 oz. Salt Magnesium Sulfate in water.
Remove battery cover. Using medical needles to discharge water into the battery. Then use that needle to suck out the water.
Use a plastic funnel to fill enough Epsom salt solution to fill each cell of the battery.
Plug the plastic plug into the drill hole or replace the battery cover and shake the battery to make sure the Epsom salt solution is well distributed.
Recharge the battery when charging slowly for 24 hours and then reinstall it. This process can be repeated several times, combined with electric discharge, by giving a light bulb to get the battery's power. (Discharge power during charging).
Learn more: 12v Battery - 4 Tips to Prolong Its Life

Advice

Put the lead acid battery in the charger for three or four nights, to restore the battery to its maximum capacity.

Warning
Batteries contain sulfuric acid, one of the strongest acid compounds. Only work in a well-ventilated area and there are no open flames nearby. Wear goggles and rubber gloves. If you have acid on your skin, water it immediately.
Do not use tap water because it contains chemicals that will damage the battery.

Notice, you will need to prepare the following:
  • Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate)
  • Distilled water
  • Plastic funnel
  • Safety glasses
  • Pair of rubber gloves
  • Voltmeter
  • Charge
  • Drilling (for sealed batteries)
In fact, there are many types of batteries. All ways to recover batteries here: Don't Throw Out Your Batteries - Restore Them
How To Recondition A Lead Acid Battery How To Recondition A Lead Acid Battery Reviewed by BiT on 3:43 AM Rating: 5

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