keeping your battery in good condition

[ARK 9]

Battery life can be enhanced with a trickle charger (about 2A ) but if used extensively the trickle charge itself will sulphate the battery.  This happens when the H2SO4 loses a charged particle and becomes an insulator rather than a conductor.  The electrolyte (liquid conductor)        mixes with both conductor and insulator thus reducing the effectiveness of the charge.  As the trickle charge continues the spectrum of the insulator grows and starts to take over and in time you have a dying then dead battery.

 

Auto style batteries take on and deliver huge amounts of electrons and a lead acid battery can be considered dead at 10 V.  The industry also has and uses deep cell batteries.  Deep cell technology is different than auto technology but the deep cell knowledge is very helpful to the auto section.

 

Keep your tractor or auto battery fully charged with a trickle charger, yes.

But every so often charge that battery with 10A or more then trickle.

 

Most importantly about 2x or 3x a year equalize that battery.  By charging at a higher current 50A for a short time.  The battery will get warm and the electrolyte will bubble as it accepts many amperes.  For the first time do this for a minute, feel the battery for heat.  Test the electrolyte with a temperature battery hydrometer ($10), then test the open circuit battery for terminal voltage.  The VDC will go up, let sit for an hour and retest.  A good battery at any temperature after a complete charge to float voltage should read at least 12.7 VDC.  Readings will be at least 13 VDC and never higher than 15 VDC.

 

Battery equalizing can be done more often, but testing the wet acid battery with a hydrometer is a must along with a DC voltmeter.  It is vital to learn how these tools work and it is vital to use them.

 

Too much over charging equalization is bad.  Hydrogen gas is formed, sparks are possible, over heating is able to be done and all this can produce an explosion.  Remember that the battery is an enclosed container whether the cells are open or not and the battery is a time bomb.

 

So wear protective gear, eye glasses and when equalizing a battery remove it from the vehicle, cover with a leather blanket and never leave the equalized battery alone.  Since they are small 20-50 AHr time the equalization period 1 minute, 90 seconds then stop, feel, smell, look and test.

 

It takes time and a lot of safety precautions, no kids, no pets, no open lights, BE PRUDENT, BE SAFE. BE DILIGENT 

 

If you decide to do this PITA work it will pay off with a good battery for about 10 years.  Also at the same time clean, secure, clean again the battery itself, the container, the wires, the cables, the connections, test the starter and the starter relay (contactor).  

 

The starter motor must be tested under an equivalent load to the ICE, internal combustion engine.

 

Cold destroys the ampacity of a battery, the colder the smaller the battery.  In very cold -40 FC, the battery is 50-60% less than at 21C or room temp.

 

With electrolyte being closer to water or a specific gravity of 1 it freezes, at 1.25-1.3 the battery cell is good, won't freeze up.  Keep your battery clean connection tight and electrolyte as an acid and top up your wet battery with pure water, distilled or RO filtered water.  And if in the winter you top up your battery make sure you mix that pure water with the battery acid or it may freeze.

 

 

[Olratlr 25]

Good information.