The purpose of the battery is to start the engine starter and maintain power to consumers in the electrical on-board network, together with the generator. If the car's battery does not perform well, it needs to be restored or replaced. Knowing the principle of operation of the battery, the design, you can try to restore the battery's performance with your own hands.
Loss of voltage is not always the first sign of battery failure. You may find that the body of the device is cracked, or the terminals are covered with salt deposits. Restoring the integrity of the case and cleaning the battery terminals with your own hands refer to the elimination of external failures.
Internal malfunctions of the car battery require restoration:
- the capacity of a deeply discharged battery;
- purification of lead sulfate sludge on cathodes;
- a short circuit between the differently charged plates, leading to the boiling off of the electrolyte and heating the cans;
- shedding of the active mass from the plates, leading to a short circuit.
Do-it-yourself car battery restoration is impossible if the case and plates are deformed due to deep freezing. If the lead plates are destroyed, the case swells, the battery is disposed of.
Do-it-yourself car battery restoration
If, through an oversight or due to a faulty generator, an almost new car battery is discharged to zero, the owners try to do the restoration with their own hands. It is possible, but more of a problem when repairing a maintenance-free battery.
Regardless, no matter what operation is carried out, you need to remember about protection. The electrolyte is a concentrated solution of sulfuric acid that reacts well with the skin, charring the skin. When cleaning the terminals, rubber gloves should be used; all measurements of the level and density of the electrolyte in open cans should be carried out in protective glasses.
Are there any suspicions of microcracks in the case? Moisten the surface and lay down the litmus paper. If it turns red, look for a leak. But dust when cleaning the terminals is also soluble and gives an acidic reaction. Consider this.
Any washing of the case, electrolyte drainage can be carried out into enamel or plastic dishes. Remember, when diluted with water, the temperature of the solution rises. Baking soda can be used to neutralize electrolyte spills.
We offer you to see how to restore a car battery with your own hands in the video.
Car battery recovery after deep discharge
The battery does not generate electrical energy, but stores it converted into chemical energy. Voltage is the potential difference between two terminals of an element. It should be 2.1V when fully charged. During charging, positive particles collect at the anode, absorbing electrical energy. When discharged, the ions from the anode go to the cathode, give energy in the form of a pulse to the consumer's network.
The conductor is an electrolyte - a solution of sulfuric acid of standard density. During the discharge period, small PbSO4 crystals appear on the surface of the plates. But deep discharge leads to the formation of large insoluble crystals. This means that the electrolyte is depleted, becomes weaker and is not able to create the required energy capacity. The formation of an insoluble deposit on the plates makes it difficult for the current to pass, and the resistance increases. The battery is dead. The recovery of the battery charge depends on the destruction of the zinc sulfate precipitate.
Another reason for the loss of capacitance can be a short circuit in one or more cells. The negative and positive plates are separated by cages. But the impact, constant shaking, poor fastening of the case in the socket can cause the plates to move, their contact. Warming up of the case, loss of total voltage by 2.1 V (non-working bank) will become a sign. Restoring the battery capacity in case of a short circuit requires replacing the can or exposure to a pulse current of 100 A.
Restoring the capacity of a car battery
Even if there was no deep discharge, but the battery works in a semi-discharged state, sulfation of the plates will inevitably occur. The thicker the sediment, the lower the electrolyte concentration, the battery capacity.
The schemes for returning the battery capacity are to restore the density of the electrolyte and the ability of the battery to accept a charge.
- Dismantling the plates and their mechanical cleaning is used if the other way is only disposal. Holes are cut in the housing cover, the plates are removed. Cavities and plates are washed with distilled water. The tightness of the structure is restored, the electrolyte is poured, and charging is in progress. But since the plates are fragile, restoring the battery in this way is a jewelry job.
- Chemical dissolution of crystals can save a completely dead battery. The active substance is Trilon B's solution. Discharge the battery, drain the electrolyte, and rinse the insides with distilled water. Pour 2% Trilon B solution and 5% ammonia into clean cans for the entire volume. Boiling and gassing will be observed within an hour. The solution may have to be poured several times if the precipitate dissolution reaction continues. Then drain the solution, rinse with distilled water and fill with fresh electrolyte. Carry out charging.
Car battery recovery charger
- Dissolution of crystals at an early stage using the control-training cycle. You will need a charger, an ammeter and a voltmeter, an energy consumer. The principle of restoring the density of a car battery is to use several charging cycles with a complete discharge of the battery. The operation is done by hand, but it takes a lot of time.
Charging is carried out with a current of 0.1 of the original battery capacity. the density of the electrolyte in each jar is measured, brought to normal, for mixing, charging is carried out for another half hour. After that, a 70 V incandescent lamp is connected as a current consumer. At 10.2 V, the battery is considered discharged. The discharge time determines the remaining battery capacity. The new battery is discharged for 10 hours.
The cycle is repeated several times, the sulfate crystals dissolve, the resistance drops, and the battery discharge time increases. The process of cleaning the plates from sediment must be continuous. This is the best way to restore your old or maintenance-free car battery.
- It is possible to dissolve sulfate stone without chemistry, using only distilled water. The battery flooded with water is put on charge, under a voltage of 14 V. Low boiling in the cans is supported by voltage regulation. In the process, the density of the liquid changes - the precipitate dissolves. The water is changed several times, the process can take a month. After cleaning the plates by dissolution, the cavities are washed and filled with electrolyte of the required density.
- When none of the methods help to restore the car battery, use a reversal. The method will help if the battery is of high quality, the electrolyte is transparent, only plaque is visible on the plates. Sulfates are deposited on the anodes. If minus is applied to the plate, the sediment will collapse. We connect the fully discharged battery to a reverse current of 6 A, reduce it to 2A, add resistance to reduce the heating of the battery case. Recovery is accompanied by cans boiling. Then the device should be reversed. The capacity will return or the battery will finally collapse.
- There is a special charger for car batteries with pulse function and desulfation function. Capacity recovery circuit:
charging at low current for 10 minutes;
discharge under load 1 minute.
The cost of the device is commensurate with the price of a good battery. Most often, a conventional charger is used to restore and charge car batteries.
If the bank is closed in the battery
The first sign of a bank failure will be a voltage drop to 10.5 V. The second is the boiling of the battery and sulfation of the plates. A faulty cell can be detected by the density of the electrolyte.
You can free the jar from the electrolyte, rinse and remove the plates from it. After inspection and elimination of damage, the circuit is restored and sealed. Sometimes the bank is replaced by a similar one from a non-working battery. The element is put in place, the connection with the car battery terminal is restored.
A closed battery bank is the reason for its disposal. Sometimes a risky method is used to influence the problem area with an impulse with a current of 100 A for 1-2 seconds. The junction of the plates should melt - point contact and high resistance. However, it is worth the risk if the battery is being prepared for write-off.
Video
We suggest watching a lesson on how you can restore a very old battery.
With the arrival of cold days, most car enthusiasts start the usual fuss of caring for their iron four-wheeled horse. The list of necessary works includes oil change, spark plug check, tire recalculation and balancing.
It would seem, what else is needed for the comfortable use of the car in the most unfriendly weather? But often the most important thing in this case remains unnoticed. Namely, the car battery.
Causes of failure of the car battery
Problems with this unit can occur, as a rule, due to improper storage or use of the battery. But in one case or another, if the problem is not started to an extreme degree, it is still possible to restore the battery.
One of the most common causes of battery failure is excessive sulfate deposits on the plates. In such cases, the capacity of this unit drops to almost zero. The only thing that can please in a similar situation is this is not a sentence, and the repair is not difficult enough to have a professional or buy a new battery. To eliminate such a malfunction, it is recommended to buy a special solution that removes sulfate deposits. A small amount of this substance is poured into the battery along with distilled water and all this is put on recharge.
If the situation was not too critical, then these simple actions will be enough to restore work. If, after the work done, the result does not meet expectations, then it is worth carrying out the following manipulations.
1. The battery must be charged to the maximum, then drain the existing electrolyte, rinse three, or preferably four times with distilled water.
2. Then a special solution for desulfation is poured. Waiting time - about an hour... During this procedure, you can observe how the reaction occurs. In complex and advanced cases, this manipulation should be repeated several times.
3. Upon completion, it is also rinsed with distilled water. After that, electrolyte is introduced and charged to the maximum.
Destruction of the battery plates
The next reason for battery failure is the destruction of the carbon plates. As a rule, with such damage, the electrolyte inside turns black.
In this case, rebuilding the battery on your own is most likely impossible. Unless, of course, the one who tries to restore it turns out to be a professional repairman for units of this type.
Closure between plates of different polarities
Another type of malfunction in the operation of the electric heart of a car can be the closure of the plates. Fortunately, there are several ways to solve this problem.
In the most reliable way it is considered the use of an additive that is poured into a new electrolyte and remains there for about two days. At the end of this period, this mixture is poured into the battery, charging and discharging is performed. If the boiling process is not observed, then the operation was successful and the battery can be charged to full.
Another way similarly valid, but requires special skills and more precautions. The battery is connected to a welding unit with a rectifier diode and gives a current of one hundred amperes. The circuit closes for just a few seconds. If you keep it closed for longer, you can accidentally transfer the battery from the "recoverable" category to the completely opposite category. Therefore, it is worth using this method only if you have the skills to handle the welding machine and the strictest adherence to safety precautions.
Not all batteries can be recovered
In addition to batteries that are admissible for recovery, the market is also filled with types of batteries that resuscitation is not subject. Manufacturers specifically make it so that after a certain period of work, which, as a rule, does not exceed three to five years, the car owner is forced to buy a new component of this format. Of course, there are craftsmen in the world who can restore this kind of batteries, but this procedure is not safe and, if handled incorrectly, can lead to expensive repairs not only of the battery, but also of a significant part of the equipment adjacent to it.
Home recovery
It is quite possible to restore the battery on your own. For some, this is not even a problem. But it is worth remembering one thing - inside the battery, what is called an affectionate word "Electrolyte" is essentially an acid... She is able to turn into dust any tissue with which it comes into contact.
And if you spill this liquid on yourself, you can not only ruin the thing, but also get chemical burns of various degrees of severity, the treatment of which is much more difficult than thermal ones. The refurbished battery will last another year, maximum two. And the consequences of careless handling of acid will remain forever.
Safety requirements must be strictly observed
Carry out all work in special gloves and glasses
The room must be well ventilated
Carefully monitor the temperature of the electrolyte during charging and avoid overheating.
Do not allow open flames in the room and smoking.
* Be careful not to follow these rules can result in serious injury.
april 27, 2017
Like any product, an acid lead battery has its own shelf life and, if used correctly, will last for a long time. The failed power supplies of the car are replaced with new ones, but in some cases repairs are possible, after which the battery will last some more time. You should know that the restored car battery will last some more time, but by and large you should prepare yourself for purchasing a new one.
In order to better assimilate the information that will be discussed below, we suggest that the reader familiarize himself with the device of the car battery. It is clearly shown in this diagram:
The main causes of malfunctioning car batteries
The most common malfunction of car batteries is. At the same time, the capacity of the battery drops noticeably, and as a result, the device does not have enough power to turn the starter.
The sulfation of the plates can be determined by the following criteria:
- Decreased capacity;
- Boiling electrolyte;
- Overheating of the plates;
- Increased voltage across the electrodes.
The next common reason for a malfunctioning battery is destruction and crumbling of coal plates... This malfunction can be identified by the dark color of the electrolyte. In this case, restoration of the car battery is possible, although not always.
The third common malfunction is associated with by wiping lead plates in one of the battery sections... It is quite easy to identify this breakdown. When charging, the faulty section will heat up excessively, and the electrolyte will boil away. In this case, it is possible to restore the battery, although it is somewhat more difficult than in the first case. The solution to the problem is to replace the lead plates in the section, which is quite expensive, although it is cheaper than buying a new battery.
The fourth reason for battery malfunction is related with improper operation and storage of batteries... It is known that an incompletely charged battery can freeze in sub-zero temperatures. Freezing can damage the lead plates as well as the body of the device. This can lead to short circuits in the device case and electrolyte boiling. In this case, unfortunately, the battery cannot be restored.
DIY car battery recovery
Having found out the reasons, you can move on to considering ways to restore the battery.
ELIMINATION OF SULFATION
Sulfation of the plates leads to the fact that the charged battery does not deliver full power, and the discharge occurs very quickly. To carry out work to restore the battery, you will need:
- Charger;
- Electrolyte;
- Distilled water;
- Safety glasses and gloves;
- Desulfation additive;
- "Ariometer".
The battery is fully charged, after which the electrolyte is drained from it and it is washed. New electrolyte is poured into the cans and the corresponding desulfurizing additive is added.
The rules for its use should be studied before starting work. The electrolyte with the additive should be completely filled to the level recommended by the manufacturer. Within two days, the battery should be infused, during which time the additive should remove deposits on the plates.
RECOVERY OF CAPACITY
After removing deposits, the capacity of the power supply should be properly restored. For this, charging should be carried out with low currents, not higher than 0.1A. The battery is fully charged, the density is checked and, if necessary, equalized to the required values. Next, we discharge the battery to a voltage of 10.5 volts, while the voltage in each bank should not be lower than 1.7 volts.
You can determine the battery capacity by calculating the battery discharge time. To do this, you need to multiply the charge current indicator by time. If the battery capacity is lower than the rated one, charge-discharge cycles should be carried out until the vehicle battery is fully restored.
Charging the battery Car lamps connected in series can be used as a load. After that, the battery is fully charged, while the charging current should not exceed half of the usual values \u200b\u200bwhen charging. The power of the lamps and the discharge time to the indicated values \u200b\u200bshould be determined. The battery capacity is calculated using a simple formula, and in case of insufficient capacity of the power source, the "discharge - charge" cycle should be carried out until acceptable values \u200b\u200bof the battery capacity are reached. After completing the work, you can add a small amount of additive to the electrolyte, screw the plugs and use the remanufactured battery.
DEEP SULFATION
There are also ways to restore the car battery, which is almost completely sulfated. However, these methods are quite dangerous and will require special premises for work.
RECOVERY BY BACK CURRENT
To perform recovery in this way, you will need a higher power supply. For example, a welding transformer is suitable for this (not to be confused with an inverter). This source must have an output voltage of at least 20 volts and a current strength of more than 80 amperes. It should be borne in mind that the battery should not have a short circuit of the plates, in this case the consequences can be unpredictable. The restoration is carried out by reverse current, for which the plus of the transformer is connected to the minus of the battery, and the minus to the plus terminal of the battery.
Charging the battery The plugs of the restored power source must be removed and the electrolyte level is correct. Charging is turned on for 30 minutes, while abundant gas formation and abundant heat release are formed, electrolyte may even splash out of the cans. Therefore, safety measures should be followed impeccably. At the end of charging, the electrolyte is drained by reverse current, washed with distilled water and a new solution of sulfuric acid of the required density is poured.
Further, charging is carried out with an ordinary charger of the correct polarity minus to minus, plus to plus. At the end of charging, you can carry out several control - training cycles. It should be remembered that this work does not guarantee recovery and can lead to permanent battery failure.
This method, like the previous one, should be carried out on a battery, which, in case of failure, will not be a pity to dispose of. The battery is charged as much as possible, the electrolyte is drained and washed with distilled water. A solution of sodium ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid is poured into the vacated container. For its preparation, it is better to use a chemical laboratory.
The time it takes for the battery to desulfate is 40 to 60 minutes, with abundant gas evolution and heating of the container. At the end of gas evolution, the solution is drained, washed 2-3 times with distilled water, a new electrolyte is poured in and the battery is charged. If successful, the restored battery will last some more time.
CORRECT USE OF THE AUTOMOTIVE BATTERY
And in order not to have to wonder how to restore a car battery, it is worth taking on board a few useful tips on caring for this device.
- Check the electrolyte level and density at intervals of once every two to three months;
- In severe frosts, it is worth raising the density of the electrolyte to 1.40 g / cc.
- It is necessary to charge the battery with a current ten times less than its capacity. For example, if the battery capacity is 60 A / h, charging should be done with a current of 5 amps;
- If the air temperature is below -25 ’C, do not leave the car overnight in an open parking lot. At this temperature, the electrolyte in the battery can freeze and damage the battery.
If you follow these simple tips, you will be able to significantly extend the life of the battery and you will not have to wonder how to restore the car battery.
There are several reasons why battery capacity starts to drop prematurely. The main one is sulfation of the plates, which grows from frequent undercharging, deep discharges, or discharged batteries stored for a long time. Sometimes remanufactured batteries, especially from the budget segment, can last longer than just purchased ones. From this article you will find out the reasons for the degradation of batteries, which will allow you to use them correctly in the future, significantly extending their life.
Why do batteries degrade?
Each charge-discharge cycle of the battery causes different kinds of structural damage to the plates. As a result of this, the capacity of the battery gradually decreases and each time it happens more and more, and it discharges faster and faster.
How does this degradation process take place? A detailed study under an electron microscope revealed that batteries degrade in a manner similar to the spread of corrosion through metal. More specifically, it begins at different points of the perimeter of the plates, and then expands to the entire surface. If it was possible to obtain an accurate map of the spread of erosion over the material, then methods of dealing with this problem could be developed, which would further improve the performance of batteries.
Studies have shown that the battery discharges significantly faster when operated at high voltage. For example, at 4.3 V, the battery degrades more slowly than at 4.7 V. This problem is further considered in more detail by studying the chemical reactions that occur in batteries.
Ways to recover acid batteries
Let's start with the most serious faults and how to deal with them. It is absolutely contraindicated to charge a battery with the problem of shedding and closing the plates, since this will not only not give positive results, but, on the contrary, will speed up the process. First you need to drain the electrolyte, rinse the containers with distilled water until all the dirt is washed out. Follow the procedure carefully and do not be afraid to turn the battery over.If the plates crumbled very strongly, as indicated by a huge amount of garbage, then you should not further load yourself with useless work. It's time for the battery to rest. But if it's not that bad, then go ahead. It often happens that by eliminating the particles that have fallen off, it is possible to get rid of the short circuit.
Next, it is necessary to desulfate the plates - remove salt deposits. There are two ways to do it. The first is to purchase a special desulfatizing electrolyte additive. The second is with a special charger. If you have chosen the second option, then check upon purchase whether the device provides such a mode. So, let's move on to a detailed consideration of the technology for recovering a car acid battery.
1.
Take a clean electrolyte with a density of 1.28 g / cm3 and dissolve the desulfation additive in it. It will take two days. Regarding proportions and other nuances, you can read everything in the instructions.
2. Fill the battery with electrolyte and check the density, it should correspond to the above rating.
3. Unscrew the caps of the battery cans and connect the charger. Next, carry out several charge-discharge cycles so that the battery capacity returns to normal. You need to charge with a small current, about 10% of the maximum allowable. Make sure that during this time the battery does not heat up or boil. When the voltage at the battery terminals has stabilized within 13.8-14.4 V, reduce the current to 5%. If after a couple of hours the density of the electrolyte has not changed, then the battery is charged, you can complete the process.
4. Now is the time to adjust the electrolyte. If its density is not nominal, it is necessary to bring it up to 1.28 g / cm3 by adding distilled water (if the density is higher than required) or a denser electrolyte (if the density is lower).
5. The next stage is detente. Connect the load and limit the current to 1A, and 0.5A for a 6V battery. Wait until the voltage at the terminals drops to 10.2 V, for a 6-volt battery - 5.1 V. Note the time, as this parameter is important for measuring the battery capacity. It is calculated by the discharge current times the discharge time. If it is below normal, repeat the cycle until the capacity reaches the nominal value.
6.
The process has come to an end. Add a little more additive to the cans and tighten the caps. Congratulations, this battery will last a few more years. There is also a faster way to recover car batteries. This will take about an hour. You need to do the following:
1. Charge the battery to the maximum.
2. Drain electrolyte.
3. Rinse several times with distilled water.
4. Pour in a special solution of Trilon B containing 2% Trilon B and 5% ammonia.
5. Wait 40-60 minutes. You will see how the reaction takes place. If the case is severe, the procedure will need to be repeated several times.
6. Drain the solution and rinse again three times with distilled water.
7. Fill with new electrolyte and charge the battery with rated current.
- for the battery to last longer, check the level and density of the electrolyte solution once a quarter. It, as a rule, boils away from overcharge or in hot weather, therefore, the density also increases. Top up with distilled water, bringing it to the nominal value.
In winter, raise the density a little higher than the nominal, to 1.40 g / cm3, but not more.
Charge the battery with a nominal current of 0.1 of its capacity in ampere-hours. For example, if its capacity is 55 A / h, then charge it with 5.5 A.
- do not leave the battery in an unheated garage in winter. It can freeze and become unusable. Not every battery will withstand severe frosts, especially if it is old or completely discharged.
Keep the battery clean to avoid electrical leakage and other unexpected trouble. This will increase its service life.
Electrolyte replacement
It's up to you to visit the nearest service center and shell out a certain amount of money, or replace the electrolyte yourself. But it will be more pleasant, of course, to do it yourself. At the preparatory stage, you will need the following:
Container where you will pour the old electrolyte.
Rubber bulb for suction of electrolyte residues.
Charger and starter with a voltage of 12 V.
Aerometer, which will measure the density of the electrolyte.
A plastic or porcelain watering can (you can use a homemade one).
Long rubber gloves with increased protection.
Nominal density electrolyte solution.
Let's go directly to the procedure itself:
1. Disconnect the battery from the terminals and place it on a flat surface.
2. Remove the protection and unscrew the covers.
3. Use a rubber bulb to remove the old electrolyte.
4. If electrolyte comes into contact with exposed areas, wash immediately with soap and water.
5.
Rinse the contents of the jars with distilled water until the old sulfur solution is completely removed.
6. Wipe dry with a clean cloth.
7. Open a new bottle of solution and fill up to the level of the plastic chips.
8. Measure the density of the electrolyte with a hydrometer, it should be nominal - 1.28 g / cm3.
9. Connect the battery to the charger, and so, by a charge-discharge cycle, until the density is fully restored. The current strength should be no more than 0.1A.
What if the battery is non-separable? It's pretty simple. Follow the same steps in order as described earlier, only you need to cross out point 2. At this stage, take a drill with a 12 or 14 drill and drill holes above each can. There is simply no other way, but you still need to drain the old electrolyte. After step 9, cut out small plastic circles slightly larger than the diameter of the holes you made and spread evenly over them. Melt the plastic with a gas burner so that it seals the containers as tightly as possible so that the sulfuric acid composition does not spill. This can destroy the plates, resulting in the complete unusability of the battery.
Without a battery, a vehicle becomes useless real estate - only rare modern cars can be kick-started. The battery is the power source for both the starter motor and many electronic devices that are responsible for the comfort or safety of the vehicle. But, unfortunately, any battery has a certain shelf life, after which it becomes unusable. As a rule, failed rechargeable batteries are replaced with new ones, however, in some cases, it is possible to repair the power source, after which it will serve its owner for a certain period of time. How to restore the battery on your own - read further in the article.
A storage battery with a nominal voltage of twelve volts consists of (as a rule, six) autonomous batteries (that is, cells) of a lower voltage (two volts), which are assembled in one case and are connected in series with each other.
How batteries work
The principle of operation of the battery is very simple - when the load is connected, charged particles in the battery begin to move, which entails the appearance of a current. When charging from a charger or generator, the charging voltage exceeds the nominal value of the battery voltage and the particles move in the opposite direction.
Types of car batteries
Today there are three types of car batteries - serviceable, maintenance-free and partial service.
In our time, the first type is quite rare. The body of such batteries is made of ebonite, and the outside is sealed, for example, with mastic. Serviced batteries have the ability to replace any component.
Maintenance-free batteries do not require any human intervention for their entire service life. It uses a special design of the condenser system and plates. These batteries are currently recognized as the highest quality, so their cost is very high.
The most common are partial service batteries. The essence of servicing such batteries is reduced only to maintaining the required electrolyte level and controlling its density.
In addition, batteries differ in the technologies used in their production:
The best most common type of battery for a car
The most common car batteries are acidic. Among the advantages of this type of batteries should be noted their low cost, low self-discharge, as well as the absolute absence of "memory effect".
Acid battery, device and principle of operation
Externally, the acid battery looks like a closed plastic case, from which two terminals emanate. Inside the case is divided into six sections, where the battery's working elements are located - positive and negative lead plates, on which the active mass is applied. They are located variably. To exclude the possible contact of these plates, a separator is located between them.
The plates are combined into blocks, each of which has a lead-out jumper, that is, a valve connected to the bridge. Thanks to the flask, the blocks of each can are interconnected into one common bridge, which has an output to the terminal.
The return of electricity from the battery is carried out as a result of chemical reactions, therefore the banks are filled with electrolyte. The battery itself does not generate electricity, it is, in fact, just a storage of electricity. When charging the battery, electrical energy supplied to the terminals from a generator or charger is converted into chemical energy. The opposite effect occurs during the discharge.
Maintained and non-serviceable batteries, what is the difference
Serviced batteries have small openings closed with plugs located in the upper section of the battery housing. Maintenance-free batteries are not equipped with such holes, they have only a small hole for exhausting gases. Their main difference is that serviced batteries require some care from the owner, which is not convenient enough. Therefore, in our time, they are used very rarely.
Battery malfunctions
All battery faults can be divided into internal and external. Each car owner can independently detect and fix them, but it depends on the degree of damage
external how to eliminate
There are only two external faults - strong oxidation of the terminals, as a result of which the battery is poorly connected to the on-board network, and the breakdown of the case (either as a result of external influence on it, or a crack on the case caused internal malfunctions).
As for the terminals, there is nothing special to say here. See if there is a significant oxide layer on them. If this layer is present, it is peeled off.
If there is a breakdown in the case, then it is quite simple to detect it - electrolyte will leak from it. A crack, if any, can be repaired, however if the battery is serviceable. The electrolyte is drained from the battery, after which the crack is closed. To do this, use a soldering iron and a piece of plastic. First, the crack itself is soldered, and then the prepared plastic is soldered on top for greater confidence in the quality of the work done. At the last stage, we check the tightness of the case by pouring distilled water into it.
internal faults
There are much more internal malfunctions in the battery, and most of them cause harm to the battery, which cannot be eliminated. One of the most common battery malfunctions is plate sulfation.
sulfation of the battery, reasons, is it possible to eliminate
Incorrect operation of the battery leads to sulfation of the battery - long-term storage of the battery in a discharged state, constant undercharging of the battery, frequent deep discharges, therefore, it is necessary to select the battery according to the brand of the vehicle. In fact, sulfation is the appearance of lead sulphate on the surface of the plates, due to which the electrolyte is not able to penetrate into the active mass, therefore a certain part of this mass is no longer capable of reacting.
The resistance inside the battery rises, resulting in a decrease in capacity. As a result, the battery cannot take a full charge and is quickly discharged. Sulfation of the plates in the early stages can be eliminated, however, if it is deep, the battery cannot be repaired.
shedding of battery plates, reasons, how to eliminate
There are still such breakdowns as shedding of active mass from the plates, with possible further closure. In case of light shedding, as a rule, rinsing the batteries with distilled water helps. The battery may also swell due to freezing of the electrolyte. This happens if the discharged battery was in severe frost. Once frozen, the car battery cannot be recovered.
Methods for eliminating sulfation (step by step instructions) using the charge-discharge method
Several methods are used to eliminate plate sulfation. The first, most common way is to conduct a control-training cycle (abbreviated as KTC). The use of this method will make it possible to eliminate sulfation at an early stage, as well as restore the battery capacity.
The essence of this method is to conduct a charge-discharge cycle. First, the battery is fully charged. The battery is charged with a current that is equal in strength to ten percent of the nominal capacity, that is, with a battery capacity of sixty Ah, the current should be six amperes. After charging, each jar is checked for density.
For a fully charged battery, this indicator should be 1.27. When this value is lower, it will be necessary to bring the density to the required value with further recharging the battery for half an hour to stir the electrolyte.
After charging, a control discharge is performed, for which a source of energy consumption is connected to the battery terminals. The energy consumption by the connected consumer should not exceed ten percent of the capacity. As a consumer, it is best to use an automotive incandescent lamp with a certain wattage.
You can calculate the required power by multiplying the voltage and current. The current strength in the calculation process is taken based on the capacity of the battery. That is, in the process of calculating the power required to discharge the battery by sixty Ah, the current strength is taken six Amperes, this value is multiplied by 12 V. As a result, we get a power value of 72 W. The lamp should have about this power.
The battery is then discharged using a lamp and the voltage is measured systematically. By discharging the battery, it is necessary to reduce the voltage at the battery terminals to 10.2 V. This voltage value will indicate a complete discharge of the battery. In this case, it is necessary to measure the time during which the battery was discharged. With a new battery, this value should be approximately ten hours. The shorter the discharge time, the more the battery has lost its capacity. Do not leave a discharged battery for a long time; it must be charged immediately until the charge is fully restored.
When performing this measure, the battery capacity will be restored, and as a result of a decrease in sulfation, the internal resistance will decrease.
Tools, fixtures, consumables
To carry out the control-training cycle, you will need a charger, voltmeter, hydrometer, as well as a source of electrical energy consumption.
Table of the ratio of the density of the electrolyte to the state of charge of the battery
Method for eliminating sulfation using reverse currents, advantages and disadvantages
The second way to remove sulfation is to use reverse currents while charging the battery. The disadvantage of this method is the need for special equipment - a reverse current generator. The essence of this method is reduced to a long charge of the battery with low currents. So, with insignificant sulfation, the battery is charged with an insignificant current - 0.5-2 A. In this case, charging is carried out for a long period, and in some cases it can reach fifty hours.
The end of the desulfation process is the irremovability of the voltage at the terminals and the unchanging density of the electrolyte for two or more hours.
Battery flushing followed by charging, pros and cons
The third method used to recover the battery is to flush the battery and then charge it. However, this method is lengthy and its implementation can take up to a month. The electrolyte is drained from the battery, and distillate is poured in its place. Then the battery is charged at 14 V.
After the distillate has boiled, the tension is slightly reduced. The main task is to maintain boiling in the battery, but not intensely. The density of the distillate will increase over time due to the dissolution of lead sulfate in water. Then the water is drained and a new one is poured, and the battery is again put on charge at low voltage.
It is necessary to ensure that bubbles appear in the distillate, but it is not necessary to bring it to a boil. The battery should be kept on charging until the density stops changing within a few days.
Chemical method (fastest) to remove sulfation (step by step instructions)
The fastest method for removing sulfation is chemical. It boils down to flushing the battery with a solution of Trilon B and ammonia. Before washing with the solution, the battery is charged, the electrolyte is drained from it and washed with distillate. Next, an aqueous solution is poured into the banks with the addition of five percent of the volume of ammonia water and two percent - Trilon B.
This solution and the sulfate solution react with splashing and boiling. As soon as boiling is over, the solution is drained, and the cans are washed with water, after which the electrolyte is poured and the battery is charged.
All battery malfunctions do not appear on their own, they occur as a result of careless operation and neglect of systematic maintenance. The battery does not require a lot of attention. It is enough to charge it at least once every six months using a charger.
If the battery is serviced, it is necessary to pay attention to the electrolyte level and restore it if necessary. After charging, check the density of the electrolyte in each jar. There should be no significant differences in density values \u200b\u200bbetween banks. The minimum difference between them is allowed.
Before installing a new battery on the car, check the voltage that the generator supplies, excluding overcharging. In addition, when installing a new battery, it must be well secured to prevent possible damage to the case.
How to find quality auto products on Aliexpress at a reasonable price and free shipping
- Step 1 - registration on the site, for which you need to enter your last name, first name and email address, as well as come up with a password. To prevent your account from being blocked, it is important to confirm your email within 24 hours.
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- Step 3 - next to the category column, click on the "View all" link (in the upper left corner of the site).
- 4th step - choose the category "Cars and motorcycles".
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- Step 6 - enter keywords into the search box, for example, car seat covers.
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- Step 8 - on the product description page, you must select the quantity, size and color you need.
- Step 9 - if you want to proceed to paying for the item right now, click on the "Buy now" link, if you want to pay for the item a little later, click "Add to cart".
- 10 and the last step is payment for the goods.
