[AT] desulphating battery chargers

[Steve W.]

Hey dipstick,
 from the web site you gave

Here are three methods to try to recover permanently sulfated batteries:

16.3.1. Light Sulfation

Check the electrolyte levels and apply a constant current at 2% of the
battery's RC or 1% of the AH capacity rating for 48 to 120 hours at 14.4
VDC or more, depending on the electrolyte temperature and capacity of
the battery. Cycle (discharge to 50% and recharge) the battery a couple
of times and test its capacity. You might have to increase the voltage
in order to break down the hard lead sulfate crystals. If the battery
gets above 125° F (51.7° C) then stop charging and allow the battery to
cool down before continuing.

16.3.2. Heavy Sulfation

Replace the old electrolyte with distilled, deionized or demineralized
water, let stand for one hour, apply a constant current at four amps at
13.8 VDC until there is no additional rise in specific gravity, remove
the electrolyte, wash the sediment out,

WHAT DOES THIS SAY
>>>>>>>  replace with fresh electrolyte (battery acid), <<<<<<<<

and recharge. If the specific gravity exceeds 1.300, then remove the new
electrolyte, wash the sediment out, and start over from the beginning
with distilled water. You might have to increase the voltage in order to
break down the hard lead sulfate crystals. If the battery gets above
125° F (51.7° C) then stop charging and allow the battery to cool down
before continuing. Cycle (discharge to 50% and recharge) the battery a
couple of times and test capacity. The sulfate crystals are more soluble
in water than in electrolyte. As these crystals are dissolved, the
sulfate is converted back into sulfuric acid and the specific gravity
rises. This procedure will only work with some batteries.

Want to stop digging now or should I also site some info from battery
manufacturers that says the same thing.....


Steve Williams



----- Original Message ----- 
From: <DAVIESW739 at aol.com>
To: <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Sunday, July 18, 2004 9:05 AM
Subject: Re: [AT] desulphating battery chargers


> In a message dated 7/18/2004 4:11:59 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
> chill8 at cox.net writes:
> Walt they make a little thing called a hydrometer that  tells the
specific
> gravity of the electrolite and allows one to adjust the  water to acid
> mixture to a proper level.   Lots of people own one  of these devices.
> Perhaps you have seen one but didn't know how to operate  it.
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
--------
> -------------------
> Charlie  I have one in my tool box it is NOT used to adjust the
specific
> gravity it is  used to measure it to see if the battery is fully
charged or not.
>
> Do not add acid to your battery it will cause you nothing but trouble.
if
> the sloution is weak then charge the battery and retest it.
>
> Talk about Shade Tree Mechanics BOY.
>
> Walt Davies
> Cooper Hollow Farm
> Monmouth, OR 97361
> 503 623-0460
>
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