2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42
Probably, every motorist at least once faced with a situation where the battery for some reason refused to work. This is a serious problem if you need to urgently go somewhere. Many will go and get a new battery. But, knowing how to reanimate a car battery at home, you can not only restore the battery, but also extend its life for several more years.
How batteries work, how they work
The battery is a sealed plastic container, inside which negative and positive lead plates are installed. In modern models, plates can be made not only from lead, but also from nickel, cadmium and other alloys.
There is also sulfuric acid inside - thanks to it, a galvanic couple is formed.
When current is applied to the battery terminals, energy accumulation will begin. When the capacity limit is reached, the battery will turn into a 12V power source.
Every time a car owner starts his car, the battery loses some of its energy. But as soon as the engine starts, the generator must replenish energy reserves. But this is only in the ideal case. Therefore, sometimes the battery is discharged to the limit, and a motorist, especially a beginner, does not always know how to reanimate the battery. There are many reasons why a battery fails. Statistics show that a large number of batteries fail due to sulfation and shedding of the putty.
Sulfation is one of the reasons for battery failure
So, a typical battery is lead plates in sulfuric acid. This metal is easily destroyed by exposure to weak acids, for example, acetic acid. But sulfuric acid is not at all dangerous for him, even if it is very concentrated or heated. The film that forms as a result of the reaction of sulfuric acid and lead protects the metal from destruction.
A battery is a source of chemical type electricity. If the battery is charged, then sulfuric acid is in the electrolyte. When the battery is discharged, it is on the electrodes in the form of sulfate. The operation is reversible when charging and this is a normal process.
If the battery is left uncharged for a long time, the lead sulphates will begin to dissolve, and as a result, they will begin to form on the electrodes in the form of large insoluble crystals.
Sulfate layer is an insulator. As a result, some of the capacity is lost.batteries, and if the battery has been in a state of discharge for a long time, then it will die.
Diagnosing sulfation is very simple - the battery capacity is quickly lost, there is not enough power to start the engine, the electrolyte boils and the plates overheat. There is also higher terminal voltage.
Calcium sulfates
In modern batteries, lead is alloyed with calcium. This allows you to reduce almost to a minimum the boiling of water and reduce self-discharge. However, if the battery is discharged strongly enough, then the electrodes are covered with calcium sulfate. This battery cannot be fully charged. Due to the fact that the internal resistance of such a battery increases, it is believed that it needs to be charged with voltages of 15 V. This is a mistake. You need to know exactly how to revive the battery, otherwise you can kill it altogether.
Shelling of coal plates
This is also a fairly common reason for battery failure. The diagnosis is easy to make - sulfuric acid will darken. In this case, there is a risk of battery death - unfortunately, such a task as reanimating a car battery is not solvable in this case.
Lead batteries have been changed and upgraded many times over the course of evolution.
However, the principle of action remained the same. Lead oxide paste is applied to the plates. This part or spread is held on the electrodes due to the adhesive properties and design of the plates. It crumbles as a result of vibrations, sulfation, temperature fluctuations. The shedding process is completelynatural. This indicates the aging of the battery. If you handle the battery with care, its life will be greatly extended.
How to reanimate a car battery
With the reasons everything is clear. In the warranty cards for cars in this case, the driver will only find a recommendation to replace the battery. But there are options to restore the power supply.
How to increase capacitance and density
The main method used for batteries of various modifications is low current charging. The battery charges quickly and also discharges. In a short period of time, the power supply stops taking charge. Here you need to pause, and then repeat the cycle.
You need to know exactly how to reanimate a car battery - if you choose the wrong charge parameters, you can completely destroy the battery. So, the current strength should be only 4-6% of the battery capacity. For example, for 60 Ah batteries, a charge current of not more than 3.6 A is allowed. Often, the time of one such cycle is about 6-8 hours. Pause - from 8 to 16 hours. Recovery may take 5-6 such cycles.
You can stop the procedure if the density of the electrolyte is restored, and the voltage level is within the allowable limits for a particular battery.
Recovery treatments at home
This option is suitable for those who do not have time. Experienced motorists have been using it for a long time. If someone did not know how to reanimate the battery, then this method providesdissolution of sulfates by washing with special solutions.
First of all, the battery is charged to its maximum capacity. Next, the electrolyte is drained, and the insides are washed with distilled water 2-3 times. Then, a solution of ammonia and Trilon B is poured into the cavity and the battery is left for an hour. When the reaction is over, it will be visible. The release of gases will stop. Then the process should be repeated if the plates are not cleaned enough. After all, the battery is washed again, filled with electrolyte and charged in the standard way.
How to reanimate an old car battery
Battery manufacturers recommend throwing away old batteries at the end of their life. Do not rush with this - there is an opportunity to revive them. Today in many cities there are companies that buy up old batteries - they reanimate them and then sell them at an affordable price.
If there is one of these in the garage, you can try to return it to its former capabilities. You just need to know how to reanimate the old battery to make it work. After all, even a Chinese battery will cost at least 2000 rubles, and these are some, but still money can be saved.
Start the process
The first step is to identify the faults. Black electrolyte is destroyed carbon plates. The capacity has fallen - sulfation. It is also possible to close the plates, but we will tell you below how to reanimate the battery with such a problem. Severe case - swollen sides of the battery. This is just a replacement.
How to treat shorted plates
To eliminate this problem will helpspecial additive.
It is added to the electrolyte, the density of which is 1.28 g/cc, and left there for two days. After that, the mixture is poured into the battery and the density is measured. If the indicator remains at the same level, then it is charged and discharged. If no heating or boiling is observed in the process, then the current can be halved.
After two hours, the density of the electrolyte is measured again. If it is back to normal, the charging is stopped. We can assume that the battery is restored. If the density has increased, add water. When decreased, then sulfuric acid. After that, they charge again.
Repair circuits: method 2
To eliminate the short circuit, the problem area is burned with high currents. To do this, it is enough to connect the battery to a welding machine with a rectifier diode. The current should be from 100 A. The circuit is closed only for a couple of seconds.
About maintenance-free batteries
Manufacturers made these batteries easy to change.
How to reanimate a maintenance-free battery is not written in the instructions for them. But there is still a way.
First of all, the electrolyte is drained, and replaced with distilled water. Next, the battery is charged at a constant voltage of 14 V. After a few hours, you should listen to what is happening inside the battery. The process must be accompanied by the formation of gases. With intensive selection, the current is reduced.
In two weeks the battery will turnwater into an electrolyte, and lead sulfate is converted to sulfuric acid.
After two weeks, the contents are drained and water is poured again, and this process is repeated again. When desulfation is completely over, you can fill in normal electrolyte and charge the battery with standard parameters.
How to properly reanimate the battery, the modern manufacturer does not tell. All these methods are used by motorists themselves, at their own peril and risk. The main thing is to strictly follow these recommendations, and then there is a chance that the battery will come to life and will please its owner for many years to come.
So we figured out how to reanimate a maintenance-free car battery.
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