Operation and maintenance of batteries. Battery repair. Car battery brands

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

The concept of a battery power supply provides the user with many advantages, ensuring the autonomy of the object and the cycling of application sessions. There are different types of batteries that differ in size, internal structure and technical characteristics. But most of them operate on a similar principle - the generation of current due to chemical reactions. It was this feature that determined the subtleties, taking into account which the maintenance of batteries and related components should be carried out.

Battery device

The classic lead-acid block consists of several batteries connected in series and enclosed in a case. The latter is usually made of polypropylene. The choice of this material is due to the resistance of plastic to chemical influences, the absence of reactions to current and relatively high physical strength. As a rule, the device of a car battery assumes the presence of six active plates, the insulation of which is provided by a plastic separator. Active electrodes, in theirturn, are made of lead alloys. True, in the latest versions, manufacturers are more likely to use lead-calcium materials, which are distinguished by a low need for water consumption and a low level of self-discharge.

Cheaper battery packs with a simplified device are also used. These are the so-called hybrid or combined designs, which combine two types of electrodes with charges of different polarities - these are lead-based calcium and antimony plates. This type of battery is low cost and maintenance-free, but requires large volumes of water.

It is also important to consider that any battery must be regularly recharged using a special device. The most trusted among professionals is a pulse charger, the advantage of which lies in improved protective properties. For example, if the connection was not made correctly before the charging session, the system will signal the user about an error.

Varieties of batteries

The main difference between modern batteries lies in their composition - that is, in the elements that provide electrochemical processes. It is worth starting a review of battery types with the mentioned antimony models. This variety is characterized by the fact that intensive water boiling processes take place in it, which requires frequent replenishment of the liquid resource. An improved variation of this device is a low antimony battery, the internal organization of which is focused on reducing the processelectrolysis. The calcium block differs significantly from these two types. As a rule, maintenance of batteries of this version requires minimal effort, since the absence of an antimony base practically eliminates the need for frequent replenishment of the fluid resource. But, during the operation of a calcium battery, there are often problems with charging. Thus, an improperly organized connection can lead to the loss of a significant percentage of the working volume, which is why many users completely change the battery.

In a way, the appearance of gel batteries on the market has become revolutionary. Such models are distinguished by the fact that instead of a liquid electrolyte, the body contains a dense gel base. In addition, the device of this type of car battery provides for the use of a special porous material as insulators of active elements. As a result, the entire operation process is also facilitated, since the unit can be tilted and even subjected to vibrations. The most promising type of batteries is the lithium-ion cell. In this case, ion oxides act as the active substance, which also provides many advantages. Such batteries have a low self-discharge threshold, high specific capacity and are distinguished by the ability to deliver a considerable voltage.

Using battery packs

Already when buying a new battery, you should prepare for a thorough inspection of the product. This mainly concerns the revision of the hull, which should not have defects. Usually manufacturerscover the blocks with protective films, but even their presence does not guarantee the absence of defects on the surface of the case. Now it’s worth touching on another question - do I need to charge a new battery? By default, modern batteries are supplied with an optimal charge level for operation, which should not be lower than 12 volts. That is, there is no need to replenish the battery. And even if the charge level is lower, this does not mean that you should use a charger - it is more likely that the purchased battery has either already been used or is simply of poor quality.

Using a pulse charger, you can adjust the level of energy potential to an optimal state, but, again, branded batteries do not need to be replenished before the first use. Further, during operation, it is important to monitor the operating parameters of the battery. As noted above, you can use blocks whose charge level is at least 12 volts. But this is also an extreme bar, since experts call a sufficient level of 13-14 volts. That is, when there is a lack of charge, and when recharging, the battery is not suitable for use.

Now it is worth returning to the question of whether and in what cases it is necessary to charge a new battery. The fact is that even high-quality and working batteries in the absence of long-term maintenance give the effect of self-discharge. Most likely, in the case of new devices, it will be minimal, but for further productive work, it is still worth recharging.

How is a battery inspection performed?

Depending on battery typeblock and its purpose, a certain schedule of inspections is established. At critical facilities, for example, a daily revision of the battery can be approved. The question of who has the right to carry out battery maintenance and repair is also important here. Typically, such activities are entrusted to responsible personnel who exercise operational control over the energy supply of the facility. However, in the case of car batteries, this exercise can be carried out in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and the average user in private.

In the inspection process, not only the appearance of the device is checked. It is also important to evaluate the density, temperature and voltage in the electrolyte medium. To perform such operations, you may also need a special device - a voltmeter. The frequency of such a check can be daily, but in the case of the same automotive components, manufacturers recommend an inspection once a month. At the same time, one should not superficially approach the assessment of the condition of the hull. This part of the inspection checks for integrity, leaks, and overall cleanliness. Special attention is devoted to terminals, jumpers and clips - visually check for signs of corrosion and defects.

Maintenance

The above activities can also form a list of works within the framework of preventive control in the case of household batteries. But in production, this is not enough and a deeper analysis of battery performance is involved. In particular, electrolyte samples are taken, which infurther examined for the presence of iron, chlorine and other impurities. In addition, battery maintenance involves testing the performance of the cell. In the process of such a check, a specialist can detect warping processes and an increase in the activity of positive electrodes, which can negatively affect the function of the device.

Of course, both in the case of batteries for industrial needs and when servicing household models, it is important to properly charge the unit as well. Before starting this operation, remove the battery, inspect it, clean it if necessary, and mark in advance the polarities of the terminal connection points. Then the charger is connected. In the future, the procedure for servicing the battery will depend on its capacity and the type of electric generator. Although it is most convenient to use battery-compatible automatic or semi-automatic chargers, experts still recommend the manual method.

The main task of the user is to catch the moment of full charge, since overcharging is also not a positive result of the operation. Usually, the process should be stopped after reaching a voltage of 14.6 volts. In this regard, automatic models are just beneficial, which themselves determine the optimal state of the battery in terms of filling their capacity. Another thing is that the slightest mistake in the connection can also violate the correctness of the indication. Manufacturers, however, are also working on this kind of protection, the presence of which increases the cost of the device. It is noteworthy that the batterythe average price of which is 4-7 thousand, in this case it will correspond to the charger. Automatic modern generators may well cost the same 5-7 thousand

Battery maintenance

Troubleshooting activities for ongoing repairs are generally available for advanced users. But first, it’s worth deciding on the cases in which current repairs are generally required. There are several signs when a block needs outside help. Most of these types of faults are due to internal problems with the electrodes. This can be understood even by external signs - for example, when the color of the plates changes from dark brown to orange with pale areas. In this case, it is necessary to repair the batteries, which can be reduced to the replacement of individual electrodes.

It happens that the electrolyte needs to be replaced as well. For example, such a need arises in the case of excessive outgassing due to contamination of the active working medium with particles of sludge, copper and iron. Do not try to clean if the concentration of foreign bodies is too high. The best option would be to change the electrolyte, before which you will need to check its overall quality. A common problem is excessive sulfation, which can result in a short circuit. The probability of this phenomenon depends on how correctly the batteries are charged. Repair and maintenance in this case will be reduced to the prevention and correction of processesdistortion of the electrodes. The pre-positively charged plate must be carefully straightened to return to its original state. As for the fight against sulfation, most often the maximum that the user can do if it is present is the correction of the electrodes, positive or negative.

Battery overhaul

Major repairs to household battery packs are less frequent than their industrial counterparts. Firstly, it is not always economically feasible, and secondly, there is a low probability that such measures will really be able to correct the problem that has arisen. One way or another, a major overhaul also takes place, and you should prepare for it from the very beginning. If a high-quality battery has been damaged by internal elements, then it may be necessary to replace the electrodes or electrolyte. Actually, sometimes you can get by with fixing a damaged electrode. Fix the problem by cutting out the element and laying it on a wooden board. Next, another board should be placed on the plate with slight pressure. After a while, the element can be returned to its place in a cleaned form.

Slightly more difficult is the operation to update the electrolyte. Before this event, the unit must be discharged for 10 hours until a voltage level of 1.8 V is reached. Then the existing electrolyte should be poured out and the container filled with distilled water, after which the battery should be left for 4 hours. After this time, the water is poured out with replacement by a new electrolyte. At this stage, you can begin to fully charge the device. After the energy is replenished, preventive maintenance of the batteries is also carried out, which again comes down to assessing the external condition of the unit, operating parameters, etc. An overhaul may also include operations to replace tanks, electrode ears, racks, and other functional battery components.

Maintenance safety measures

First and foremost, any physical handling of the battery should be done with the utmost care. If gel devices are not so dangerous in this regard, then a sharp tilt at a large angle of traditional batteries can provoke an electrolyte spill. Therefore, experts strongly do not recommend subjecting the case to a slope of 45 ° or more. In addition, car batteries should be serviced with gloves and preferably away from heat sources. It is important to take into account here that during the same charge, the mixture of oxygen and hydrogen will be explosive, so the risk of even the slightest spark entering the working area should not be allowed.

If an electrolyte spill was allowed, then the affected areas of the body and clothing should be washed with plenty of water, and then additionally treated with an ammonia solution with soda. In the process of performing manipulations in order to disconnect and connect the unit, it is necessary to ensure a complete cessation of the supply of current to consumers. Then you can install. Again, maintenance of gel-type batteries is not as dangerous in this regard, compared to alkaline models. But in both cases, it is important to ensure the correct connection and physical fixation of the case. It is advisable to use a quality tool when working with a battery. This applies to mechanical clamping pliers for terminals, and electrical appliances that check the technical characteristics of the filling.

Famous car battery brands

There are many Russian companies in the segment of car batteries, which differ little from European models in terms of quality. For example, the brands Tyumen, Zver, Aktekh, etc. can be noted. The cost of such products varies on average from 4 to 6 thousand rubles. At the same time, it is far from always that batteries, the price of which exceeds the bar of 6 thousand rubles, are distinguished by higher technical indicators. Unless we are talking about modern models of the AGM type, which cost about 10 thousand. But in this case, the price rises largely due to the advantages of the design.

In terms of reliability, many users call the Korean Medalist model 56077 one of the best battery packs. Among the advantages of this version are increased energy and current qualities. That is, this option will not indulge in special advantages, but the declared characteristics will work in full, which is not common. Good working properties are demonstrated in their developments by other brands of batteries for cars, including A-Mega and the popular Varta, whichdoes not give up its position. These products are distinguished not only by optimal electrochemical properties, but also by operational qualities - for example, maintaining performance even in severe frost conditions.

Conclusion

With all the shortcomings of battery packs as such, not only motorists, but also users of some engineering systems rarely do without them today. Nevertheless, as an autonomous source of power supply, this is one of the best solutions. Another thing is that the operation, maintenance of batteries, as well as their repair can be a lot of trouble. Knowing the intricacies of performing these operations will not only ensure the proper function of the batteries, but will also help create a guarantee for long-term operation while maintaining a working resource. The correct operation of the consumer directly, which can be the same car, will also increase the durability of the power supply.