Lead acid batteries are also known as wet cells batteries. Each cell has two lead plates that are slightly different, and the plates are submerged in a sulfuric acid-containing electrolyte solution. If the electrolyte falls, the plates become exposed, resulting in sulfation, which is the formation of a lead-sulfate on the battery’s lead electrodes.
This process is reversed when the battery is charged, and the lead sulphate crystals react to generate sulphuric acid once more. The battery fails when an excessive buildup of lead sulphate crystals prevents sulphuric acid from reaching certain portions of the plate. When these crystals form, the electrolyte becomes chemically imbalanced.
Because electrons can’t flow freely from one plate to the other, the battery cell can’t hold a charge. Try reconditioning your lead-acid battery before replacing it if it doesn’t have enough power to start your vehicle or isn’t charging correctly.
Hardened crystals may usually be removed with a magnesium sulphate solution. This approach will not return a battery to its previous condition, but it will restore it to roughly 70-80% of its original capacity and may be repeated, allowing you to get a few more years out of your battery before replacing it.
How to Recondition Lead Acid Battery
Tools needed
To perform this, you’ll need some basic tools. Some of these items are likely to already be in your home.
- Gloves.
- Funnel.
- Squeeze bulb dropper.
- Safety glasses.
- Several gallons water containers.
Step 1: Prepare the battery
Remove the battery from the vehicle, motorcycle, or scooter and place it on a stable work surface. The cells of certain batteries are visible on top. Others have a “sealing” strip to keep them safe. It’s possible that you’ll have to cut the corners of this strip to get it loose, but it’s almost always possible. Look for the strip’s edge and pry it up using a flat screw driver. If it’s glued in place, try cutting around the edges with a razor blade.
To get to the battery acid, you’ll need to remove the caps from each of the individual cells once this has been done. Some batteries have little rubber caps like this, while others (generally on larger batteries) have screw-in plugs that can be removed with a large screwdriver and aren’t overly tight.
Step 2: Mix baking Soda and Water
Mix the 10 ounces of baking soda with 1 gallon of warm water. It will dissolve faster if you use warm water. Make sure everything is blended up. To mix it in, you can use any kind of plastic container. The simplest way to do this is to boil water and stir in extra salts until no more will dissolve in the water.
Step 3: Pour the electrolyte
Set aside the baking soda mixture. Turn the battery upside down and pour the liquid into a pan after removing the caps. This is the acid from an old battery. It will appear dark and filthy. Alternatively, drain each cell one by one with a syringe or dropper until they are all roughly 50-60% full. If some cells are already less than this, swap some acid from the fuller cells. You don’t want to take too much out because you’ll have trouble recharging the battery.
Make sure the battery acid is properly disposed of. Don’t throw it in the ground. Battery acid is a poisonous substance that should never be spilled into the earth. It has the potential to damage our water supplies, not to mention harm the sensitive eco system.
Step 4: Pour the soda Mix into the battery
The mixture will then be poured into the battery cells using a funnel. Fill each cell with it. Then gently reattach the caps and give the battery a good shake. The baking soda combination will de-sulfate the battery, removing any sulphate buildup that has developed over time.
Remove the caps and drop the battery back into the pan after it has been shaken. If your battery is very old and dusty, you can repeat this method to clean it. Make sure you get rid of the entire baking soda mixture. Dispose of the dirty liquid in the right way.
Step 5: Add more Epsom mixture into the battery
You’ll now put the Epsom salt mixture into the battery after cleaning it and dumping the baking soda. The Epsom salt solution revitalizes the battery. To add the mixture to the battery, use a funnel. Fill each cell as much as possible. Then give the battery a gentle shake to settle the liquid. From there, you can go ahead and fill the battery with more mixture.
Step 6: Charge your battery
Replace the caps and charge the battery at this point. You could still remove the caps while the charger is charging to test whether it works. When the charge is working, you will hear the liquid begin to bubble. The battery must be charged for 24 to 48 hours.
After it has been charged, replace all of the caps and test it to see whether it works! You can use this procedure to bring a flat dead battery back to life 95% of the time.
Prefer reading:
How long does a reconditioned battery last?
If properly refurbished, a reconditioned battery can last another 6-12 months. Isn’t it incredible? That’s quite cool. And guess what? If the battery dies again after those 12 months, you can recondition it up to three more times! As a result, your battery’s life can be extended by up to three years! Isn’t that amazing? Yes, I believe so. You will not only save money, but you will also preserve the environment by avoiding the manufacturing of more batteries in the world.
Why reconditioned batteries are good for the environment?
Reconditioned batteries are an excellent method to help the environment. The plastic casings of batteries are created from natural, non-renewable materials such as crude oil. The manufacturing of batteries, as well as the transportation and storage of new batteries, has a negative impact on the environment, contributing to carbon emissions and global warming.
Lead, a common component of batteries, is a hazardous element that should not be discarded carelessly. Restoring your battery helps to reduce the amount of lead metal that pollutes the environment and puts society in danger. Your tiny contribution to the green movement benefits the community and the entire world greatly.
You can help to extend the life of your batteries and reduce the environmental impact you have as a human in this world by reconditioning them. We’re all in this together, and every step helps the environment and prevents global warming. Everyone matters and can make a difference, no matter how big or small their contribution is. It makes no difference, just do it! Because we only have one planet, let us do everything we can to protect it.
Related post:
Measures to keep in mind when reconditioning lead acid batteries
If you are not careful, reconditioning a battery might be deadly. If a reaction happens, the electrolyte within a lead-acid battery, for example, might be corrosive and damaging to your skin. As a result, when reconditioning batteries, you should keep the following in mind:
- Wear rubber gloves or other protective gear on your hands at all times.
- To safeguard your eyes, you should always use goggles or protective glasses.
- To protect your clothes and body, you should wear an apron made of rubber or other protective material.
- You should also put on a mask to keep any dangerous fumes at bay.
- You should always have a basic solution on hand to diffuse any acidic reactions.
- To protect oneself from any dangerous fumes or vapors, you should strive to operate in an open and aired atmosphere.
Benefits of reconditioning lead acid batteries
Your battery may be working at its best right now, but regardless of how well you’ve taken care of it this far, you’ll eventually need to find ways to extend its life. Rather than buying a new battery, it makes sense to double or triple the battery’s life.
One of the most significant advantages of reconditioned car batteries is the cost savings associated with the simple repair. When new, a battery costs between $85 and $100, but a reconditioned one costs a fraction of that and will provide the same service for a long time.
Because so many people have found the cost-saving benefits of reconditioning batteries, the battery repair industry has gained popularity across the country. Car batteries that have been reconditioned have even spawned a profitable labor market. Those who choose to take it seriously will find it to be a very profitable business. It is a simple trade that anyone, regardless of their education or professional experience.
A voltmeter, charger, hydrometer, and de-sulfator are the most crucial tools you’ll need to start repairing lead acid batteries. You’ll also need a reconditioning vehicle battery kit to learn how to do everything.
Final Thoughts
When you consider the problems and disappointments that a bad battery may cause, such as your car stopping in the middle of the road or having to wake up your neighbor in the middle of the night to jumpstart your car, you’ll be glad you learned how to recondition your old batteries.
Your car’s battery has powered it for years, so reconditioning it is the most honorable thing you can do to help it serve you better. Consider how much money you’ll save and what a positive impact you’ll have on the environment if you learn how to repair dead batteries.
The procedure is straightforward, and the entire battery reconditioning equipment will not set you back an arm and a leg. The advantages, including the lucrative business you can start by assisting others in restoring their batteries, considerably surpass the costs of the entire procedure.
Reconditioning batteries is a skill that may be learned. It’s a highly useful and handy tip to know, and it can come in handy in a pinch. As a result, knowing how to operate a car or utilize batteries is a useful skill to have. We hope that you find this article helpful in the near future. Do you have any question regarding how to restore a lead acid battery? You can ask our team, and we will respond immediately. Till next time. Thanks!
