1. Physical Condition:
Active material flakes off the plates and falls to the bottom of the cell.
This is normal, but sediment accumulation under the plates can short
out a cell. The plate separators fail to insulate positive and negative
plates in a cell and the cell becomes shorted, ruining the battery.
2. Insufficient Electrolyte:
This allows exposed portions of the plates to sulfate rapidly. This
reduces the battery’s ability to accept a charge and the battery capacity
is reduced. Accelerated erosion of the lower portions of the plates
occur from higher than normal acid content due to water loss. Only
the water evaporates, not the acid. The battery also has a higher internal
resistance when low on water. Add only distilled water. Fill each cell
to the bottom of the vent well when the battery is warm. Filling a very
cold battery with water to the bottom of the vent well will cause overspill
when the battery warms up and the plates expand. A Battery Formula
For Failure: the battery has a higher internal resistance when low on
water, therefore:
high resistance = more heat = shorter battery life!
3. Sulfation:
When a battery remains discharged for too long the accumulated lead
sulfate in the plate material solidifies and cannot reenter the electrolyte.
When a battery is left in a discharged state the lead sulfate will
crystallize. Charging the battery does not move the crystallized lead
sulfate off the battery plate. The battery is damaged.
4. Overheating:
The chemical reaction inside of the battery is increased when the battery
temperature rises above 125º F. This increases the corrosion of the
plates and reduces the battery life. When overheated, the battery plates
tend to buckle and destroy the structural integrity of the battery.
5. Freezing:
When the electrolyte freezes, ice formed dislodges the active material
from the plates. The battery case may crack and the electrolyte will
leak out when thawed. It is especially important to keep a battery at
full charge in cold weather to prevent freezing. The high specific
gravity of a fully charged battery does not freeze as easily. Never
attempt to charge a frozen battery. Warm it up first.
6. Corrosion:
Corrosion from spilled or splashed electrolyte form deposits that can
conduct electricity and can cause battery drain. Clean off all corrosion,
especially around the battery terminals and on the top of the battery.
Prevent accumulation by coating the terminals and the exposed metal
cable connectors with high temperature grease.
302 • SECTION 8 --- ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS - HOUSE
NEPTUNE 2004
Reasons Why
Batteries Fail
Summary of Contents for Neptune 2004
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