How to recondition old batteries
If your car’s battery isn’t holding a charge or otherwise is not up to par, you'll be able to repair it. The most common explanation for degraded battery performance in lead-acid batteries is sulfation, that occurs when sulfur collects on the lead plates within the battery, blocking the electric current. It’s not tough to recondition a automobile battery at home. However, sulfation causes irreversible corrosion of the lead plates, so this method will work solely 3 to five times.
Things You'll Would like
Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate) Distilled water Plastic funnel Safety goggles Rubber gloves Voltmeter Battery charger Drill (for sealed batteries) Plastic plugs (for sealed batteries)
Take a look at the battery to see if it's likely to reply to reconditioning; it wants to register 12 volts on a voltmeter. If it’s between 10 and twelve volts, you may be able to restore the battery to full function, however if it tests at but ten volts, you’re most likely wasting it slow.
Heat a [*fr1] quart of distilled water to one hundred fifty degrees F, and dissolve seven or 8 ounces of Epsom salts within the water.
Remove the battery cell caps. If you have got a sealed battery, realize the “shadow plugs” that cowl openings to the battery cells--you’ll want to drill through these.
Drain any fluid out of the battery and use a plastic funnel to pour enough of the Epsom salt solution in to fill every cell of the battery properly.
Insert plastic plugs in the drill holes or replace the battery caps and shake the battery to make certain the Epsom salts resolution is well distributed.
Recharge the battery on a slow charge for 24 hours and then re-install it in your automobile.
Tips & Warnings
Place the battery on the charger for three or four nights to restore it to most capability. To minimize loss of performance, put automotive batteries on a trickle charger if you won’t be using them for many weeks or longer. A stored battery gradually loses its charge, allowing sulfur to make on the lead plates. Automobile batteries contain sulfuric acid, which is among the foremost powerful of acid compounds. Work only in an exceedingly well-ventilated area and don’t have open flames nearby. Wear safety goggles and rubber gloves. If you get acid on your skin, irrigate it with water immediately. Don't use faucet water as a result of it contains chemicals that can damage a battery.
