When you start noticing that the battery of your car is no longer holding its charge, don’t throw it away yet. You can still fix it. Most often, the common reason why there is a decrease in the performance of car batteries, especially if they are lead-acid batteries, is because of sulfation. Sulfation happens when there are sulfur crystals that start to collect on the battery’s lead plates. This blocks the electric current.
In this article, i will share with you how you can recondition a car battery. The process is not difficult at all. It is so easy that you can do it at home by yourself. However, you should take note that sulfation can cause corrosion on the lead plates and this is irreversible. So, this procedure can only work about three to five times. Otherwise you will have to buy a car battery.
When It’s Time To Refurbish Your Car Battery
Our car batteries are lead-acid batteries. What this means is that the batteries have lead-acid cores that are vulnerable to sulfation. Sulfation happens when there is accumulated sulfur on the lead plates. Hopefully, your car battery doesn’t have too much sulfur corrosion on it so that it can still be restored. It is much better to restore your car battery than buying a new one as it can be quite expensive.
Here are some of the things you should consider first before restoring your car battery below.
If you start to notice that your car doesn’t start immediately, then your car battery may be having trouble providing power for starting your car. You should definitely recondition it. Check your car battery first if it has any major defects such as warped battery sides, melted plastic housing, or burnt connectors. If it has any of these defects, don’t attempt to recondition the car battery. You are going to need a new unit.
Many of today’s auto batteries can last up to four years. If your car battery is already older than that and you are having problems with your car starting even if you keep on charging your car battery, then it can benefit from being reconditioned.
Refurbishing Your Automotive Battery
To start, test your battery first so you will know how it will respond when it will be reconditioned. The car battery needs to be able to register 12v on your voltmeter. If the voltmeter reads that your battery has somewhere around 10v to 12v, then you can still restore your battery, and it can function just like before. You won’t need to buy a new unit. However, the reading is less than 10v already; then you really have no other option but to get yourself a new car battery.
Prepare The Solution
The next step is you should heat about a half quart of water. Make sure that it is distilled water and not tap water. Heat it to about 150°F and then dissolve about 8oz. of Epsom salts in it.
Removing The Caps
After you have prepared the liquid, take off the cell caps of the battery. However, if what you have is a sealed battery, try to find its shadow plugs. These plugs cover the battery cells’ openings. You will have to drill through it so that you can get through the battery cells.
Draining The Fluid
When you have opened the battery, start to drain the fluids out of it. You can then use a plastic funnel so you can pour the solution with the Epsom salt that you made earlier. Fill each of the battery’s cells. (You can know more about battery recondition with Epsom salt if you are interested in).
Filling The Battery With Solution
After filling the battery cells, place the caps back on or insert the plug in the holes you have drilled. Shake the car battery to ensure that the solution is distributed properly.
Charging The Battery
On a slow charge, charge your battery for twenty-four hours. After charging, you can place it back in your car.
More Tips
Here are some of the tips that you should take note of:
● Charge the car battery for three to four nights so that you can restore it to its maximum capacity
● To prevent any decrease in the performance of the car battery, put it on a trickle charger if you do not intend to use your car for longer than a few weeks. When the battery is left to store, it will lose its charge gradually, and sulfur will build up on the lead plates.
● Remember that car batteries have sulfuric acid in them. Sulfuric acid is a very powerful compound. Make sure that you work in an area that is well-ventilated. Also, make sure that they aren’t any open flames in the surroundings.
● When you are going to revive your vehicle battery, don’t forget to wear rubber gloves and safety goggles. If you ever have an accident and acid is poured onto your skin, immediately let the clean water run on it.
● Lastly, don’t use tap water for your battery. Used distilled water. Tap water has chemicals that may damage your car battery.
This video is one of the dead car battery tricks by using Epsom salt below.
Conclusion
These are the steps to recondition your car batteries. It is very easy to do, and you can do it all on your own. However, if you think that you are going to need help, then ask a family member or a friend to help you with it.
Remember to read the instructions several times so that you can get familiar with the procedure and you can be more confident in doing it. When you are successful in restoring your car battery, you will have one that works well and can serve you for many years. You don’t need to buy a new one. You can save a lot of money in the process.
