A lack of maintenance or improper maintenance is also one of the biggest causes of damage to lead-acid batteries, generally from the electrolyte solution having too much or too little water. All of the ways lead acid can be damaged are not issues for lithium and why our batteries are far superior for energy storage applications.
If you’re new to lead acid batteries or just looking for better ways to maintain their performance, keep these four easy things in mind. 1. Undercharging Undercharging occurs when the battery is not allowed to return to a full charge after it has been used. Easy enough, right?
When you use your battery, the process happens in reverse, as the opposite chemical reaction generates the batteries’ electricity. In unsealed lead acid batteries, periodically, you’ll have to open up the battery and top it off with distilled water to ensure the electrolyte solution remains at the proper concentration.
Try to avoid running the battery down to zero. Sometimes, lead acid batteries can suffer from irreparable damage that cannot be fixed through reconditioning. One common cause of irreparable damage is sulfation, which occurs when lead sulfate crystals build up on the battery plates over time.
To recondition a lead acid battery, you need to remove the lead sulfate buildup from the plates and restore the electrolyte solution. This process involves cleaning the plates, adding distilled water and sulfuric acid to the electrolyte, and charging the battery to its full capacity.
Sealed lead acid batteries need to be kept above 70% State of Charge (SoC) during storage. If you’re storing your batteries at the ideal temperature and humidity levels, then a general rule of thumb would be to recharge the batteries every six months. However, if you’re unsure, you can check the voltage to determine if a recharge is necessary.
For other types of lead acid batteries, charge them all the way before letting them rest for 4 hours. ... you may short out the battery—which may damage it or, in rare cases, cause a dangerous explosion. ... a lead acid battery with caps that can be opened to access …