Tips For Reconditioning Lead Acid Batteries – Zero Waste

Introduction – Rationale for Reconditioning Lead Acid Battery

[Disclaimer: we are not auto experts, only amateurs who are interested in carbon reduction and reducing waste.

The advice below is a result of our research and is for educational purposes only.]

Lead acid batteries are recycled 99% of the time. In the spirit of ShrinkThatFootprint, consider reconditioning a battery that’s completely dead.

Reconditioning a car battery requires a few materials that can be easily sourced.

Instead of replacing your car battery, reconditioning it will save you money and also help the environment by reducing waste. In this post, we will talk about reconditioning lead acid battery.

Reconditioning will save money

Vehicles with an internal combustion engine have a battery that provides electrical power to start the engine.

The battery also powers the lights, radio, and other accessories when the engine is turned off.

A car battery typically lasts four to five years and will lose its charge over time. When this happens, the battery needs to be replaced or reconditioned to work properly.

A dead battery can cause several problems, including a clicking noise when you turn the key in the ignition, dim headlights, and slow engine cranking.

If your battery is over three years old, it’s a good idea to have it tested to see if it needs to be reconditioned.

What Is Battery Reconditioning?

In simple terms, it is restoring a battery to a near like-new condition.

You can do this with most types of batteries, including lead-acid, nickel-cadmium, and lithium-ion batteries.

Reconditioning involves cleaning the battery cells, fully charging and then discharging the battery, and then recharging it to 100%. Doing this can significantly extend the lifespan of a battery.

Not only does reconditioning prolong the life of a battery, but it can also improve its performance.

When a battery is first manufactured, its cells are full of energy and can deliver peak power.

However, the cells become damaged and degraded over time, resulting in a loss of capacity and power.

Reconditioning helps to restore the cells to their original condition, allowing the battery to once again deliver peak performance.

Reconditioning batteries has many benefits, both for individuals and businesses. For individuals, it can save money by prolonging the life of their existing batteries.

For businesses, it can lower operating costs by reducing the need to replace batteries as often. And for everyone, it helps to reduce electronic waste and environmental pollution.

Can Lead-Acid Batteries Be Reconditioned?

The answer is yes, but it’s important to understand how the process works before attempting it.

Lead acid batteries use a chemical reaction to convert stored energy into electrical energy.

Over time, these chemical reactions can break down the battery’s internal components, causing it to lose capacity.

However, through a process called reconditioning, it is possible to restore a lead acid battery to its original condition.

Reconditioning involves running a current through the battery to trigger a new chemical reaction that reverses degradation effects.

As a result, reconditioned lead acid batteries can provide the same level of performance as new batteries.

While the process is not particularly difficult, it requires specialized equipment and knowledge. As such, it is best left to experienced professionals.

Tips For Reconditioning Lead Acid Batteries

The process of reconditioning a lead acid battery is conceptually not hard. It involves restoring the battery to its full capacity by recharging it fully and then discharging it completely.

You can repeat this process several times until the battery is restored to its original condition. There are a few important things to remember when reconditioning a lead-acid battery.

1. Clean The Battery

Clean the battery terminals with a wire brush. This will remove build-up of corrosion that can prevents electrical contact.

Remember to wear gloves and safety goggles when handling batteries, as the acid can be harmful. Wipe the outside of the battery with a wet wipe.

2. Verify The Voltage

Next, check the battery voltage with a voltmeter. The ideal voltage for a lead acid battery is 12.6 volts. If the voltage is below this, it needs to be recharged.

3. Recharge The Battery

Next, recharge the battery using a slow charger. This will help to avoid damaging the cells. The ideal charging voltage for a lead acid battery is 2.4 volts per cell.

For instance, when reconditioning a 12-volt battery, which typically contains 6 cells, you would charge it at 14.4 volts (2.4 volts x 6).

Once the battery is fully charged, allow it to rest for 24 hours before continuing.

[Note: many thanks to a reader who pointed out an error in our earlier text that suggested an incorrect, much higher and potentially dangerous charging voltage.]

4. Discharge The Battery

After resting, discharge the battery completely by connecting it to an electrical load.

This can be done by connecting a light bulb or resistor across the terminals.

The load should be around 50 watts for a 12-volt battery. Allow the battery to discharge until the voltage drops to 10.5 volts.

5. Repeat The Process

Repeat the charging and discharging process two more times. This will help to restore the capacity of the cells.

After the third cycle, you should return the battery to normal use.

These steps will help you recondition your lead acid battery and prolong its life. Always wear gloves and safety goggles when working with batteries, as the acid can be harmful.

The interior of a barrier contains dangerous materials that require expert handling

Extra Tip: Rehydrating Dried Electrolytes

This is an advanced tip. Old lead acid batteries will not work if they’ve been left too long and the electrolyte has dried out due to evaporation of the water.

First, disconnect the battery from the vehicle or device it is powering. Remove the vent caps and check the electrolyte level.

If it is low, fill the cells with distilled water, making sure not to over-fill. Use a syringe to control addition of water for extra precision.

If the electrolyte is at the correct level, do not add water. Next, charge the battery using a slow, constant-current charger for a period of about 8-12 hours.

The charge rate should be no more than 1/10th of the battery’s amp-hour capacity.

For example, a 12-volt, 60-amp-hour battery would be charged at a rate of 6 amps. Once the battery has been charged, it is important to equalize the battery.

This is done by charging the battery at a higher rate (1/5th of the amp-hour capacity) for 1-2 hours.

This will ensure that all of the cells in the battery are balanced and are receiving the same amount of charge.

Finally, check the electrolyte level again and fill with distilled water if necessary. Re-connect the battery and it should be ready to use.

What To Watch Out For In Reconditioning A Lead Acid Battery

If you’re considering reconditioning a lead-acid battery, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

First, wearing protective gear such as gloves and goggles is important. This is because the battery acid can be harmful if it comes into contact with your skin or eyes.

Second, you need to make sure that the area you’re working in is well-ventilated. This is because the fumes from the battery acid can be harmful if inhaled. Finally, you need to be careful not to overcharge the battery.

If you do, it can cause the battery to explode. So, get an expert to help you out unless you really know what you’re doing.

Conclusions – Reconditioning Lead Acid Battery

In conclusion, reconditioning a lead acid battery is conceptually a simple process.

It’s important to take precautions such as wearing gloves and safety goggles and working in a well-ventilated area.

Additionally, you need to be careful not to overcharge the battery.

Again we suggest getting an expert to help you out. Now that you understand the process it’ll be easier to engage with the car people.