A lead-acid battery is a type of battery in which the electrodes are mainly made of lead and its oxides, and the electrolyte consists of sulfuric acid and distilled water. It is mainly used for a variety of purposes such as stationary power systems, marine propulsion systems and de-vehicles, and is one of the most popular types of batteries, mainly because of its long history of development, mature technology, and favorable price, among other things.
However, when we use lead-acid batteries, we also need to be aware of the chemical reactions that occur in the batteries leading to degradation of the plates, which can lead to a decrease in the capacity and performance of the batteries. Therefore, we also need to maintain the lead-acid batteries in order to allow the batteries to perform their optimal function and to prolong the service lifespan of the batteries.
What tools are needed to maintain lead-acid batteries
1. Battery Filler
In order to maintain the water level in the battery cells, you can use a specialized battery filler with a nozzle that allows you to add water to the battery cells precisely without spilling liquid, preventing safety accidents or damage to components.
2.Cleaning Brush
When cleaning the battery terminals, you can use a special terminal cleaning brush. The cleaning brush effectively removes corrosion and debris from the battery terminal posts, cable clamps and connections. Keeping the battery free from corrosion and debris buildup allows for effective power supply.
3. Battery lifting tools
Some lead-acid batteries are very heavy, the use of battery lifting tools can firmly grasp the battery to prevent electrolyte leakage, to avoid causing personal health and safety.
Lead-acid battery maintenance methods
1. Check and wear safety equipment
When performing maintenance on lead-acid batteries, be sure to check and wear safety equipment (protective clothing, insulated gloves, goggles, safety helmet). Check for damage to the safety equipment and wear it to ensure the safety of your life and health.
2. Checking lead-acid batteries
2.1 Checking appearance
2.1.1 Check the appearance of lead acid for dents or protrusions, which may affect the integrity of the casing and affect use.
2.1.2 Check the appearance for cracks or fissures, which may cause electrolyte leakage.
2.1.3 Check the appearance of the lead-acid battery for any foreign matter or contamination, the presence of foreign matter or contamination will affect the performance of the battery and reduce the efficiency of the battery.
2.2 Check the electrolyte level
Lead-acid battery electrolyte is an important part of the battery performance, electrolyte level can not be too high, not too low, can make the pole plate and the separator can be covered by electrolyte on the line. If it is too low, we need to add distilled water to ensure its good performance.
2.3 Check the wiring harness connection of lead-acid batteries
2.3.1 Check the insulation of the lead-acid battery’s connecting harness, whether there is any broken phenomenon, if there is broken there will be the possibility of leakage.
2.3.2 Check whether the lead-acid battery harness connection terminals are connected reliably to improve the performance of the battery.
3. Correct lead-acid battery with water (distilled water)
3.1 Add water after charging, not before charging
Water in the battery is vital for energy transfer, in the process of charging water will decompose into hydrogen and oxygen, as more and more water is converted into hydrogen and oxygen, the water level of the battery will drop, it is necessary to add water after charging. If water is added before charging, the electrolyte will expand when it gets hot, which may cause the electrolyte to overflow.
3.2 Fill suitable water
Generally lead-acid batteries need to be refilled with distilled water, and if the electrolyte in the battery is missing more seriously, it needs to be refilled with electrolyte.
4. Charge and discharge lead-acid batteries properly
4.1 Avoid over-discharge
When the lead-acid battery is discharged to the cut-off voltage, the concentration of electrolyte will be very thin, over-discharge internal resistance will have heating phenomenon, and volume expansion. If the discharge current is too large, there will be obvious heating and deformation, then the concentration of lead sulfate will be very high, it is easy to form irreversible sulfation, and the internal resistance of the battery will increase, at this time the charging recovery effect is very poor, and even can not be restored. So we should avoid over-discharge to keep the battery in the best condition.
4.2. Avoid overcharging
Avoid overcharging is in the full charge, to immediately unplug the charger, not in the full charge continuous charging of the battery, overcharging will cause the active substance of the pole plate off, will cause the battery deformation and loss of water phenomenon. Also note that the charging current should not be too large, the charging current limit of lead-acid batteries is usually 20% of the battery capacity, overcharging may lead to internal damage or melting of the battery, which may cause thermal runaway phenomenon.
4.3 Choose the right charger
There are many charging methods for lead-acid batteries, and the correct charging method can prolong the service life of the battery, we have to choose the charger with the right parameters and specifications, and not to change the charger arbitrarily.
4.4 Safe charging environment
When charging lead-acid batteries, we should choose a safe environment, avoid charging in sparks, high temperature environment, and choose a well-ventilated area to maximize the maintenance of the battery, but also to ensure the safety of personal life and health.
5. Proper storage of lead-acid batteries
If you plan not to use lead-acid batteries for a long time, you need to store them correctly. Before storage, it is best to charge the battery, and after a period of time you need to regularly charge the battery. You also need to avoid being in a high or low temperature environment, in which the life and performance of the battery will be affected, and store the battery in a dry and ventilated place to avoid other factors affecting the battery.
Summarize
Only by maintaining lead-acid batteries, we can get the best performance of the batteries in our daily life and increase the service life of the batteries. However, it is important to pay attention to the safety measures for the maintenance and repair of lead-acid batteries to avoid posing a threat to the life and health of individuals.
FAQ
The electrolyte of lead-acid battery is made of sulfuric acid and distilled water in proportion, and the electrolyte will be out of proportion in the process of using because of the rising temperature, frequent charging and discharging, etc., which will even cause the concentration of sulfuric acid to become larger, so it is necessary to give the right amount of distilled water regularly to make up for the water consumption, to maintain the normal charging and discharging of the electrolyte to keep the life of the battery.
Lead-acid batteries may have battery leakage overnight, battery deformation, sulfation, etc. We need to analyze the situation and find out the best way to solve the problem.
Lithium batteries and lead-acid batteries, lithium batteries, lithium batteries, higher energy density, long life, smaller size and other advantages, people have high hopes for lithium batteries, hope that lead-acid batteries can be replaced by lithium batteries, but the actual situation is not, within a short period of time and can not completely replace the lithium batteries, the specific reasons are as follows.
- Lead-acid batteries have a long history of development, with more mature technology, lithium battery technology is also developing, but still lead-acid battery technology development is more mature.
- Lead-acid batteries are more cost-effective, lithium batteries are more expensive, the specific choice to be considered.
- Lithium battery repair time is too long seriously restricts the use of consumers, lead-acid battery maintenance is more convenient, the specific problem depends on the situation.
- Lithium batteries are more demanding, can not withstand the toss like lead-acid batteries. Lithium batteries in the process of use, can not withstand the impact, once the lithium battery was punctured, or violent impact to the lithium battery fall, lithium batteries may produce combustion and explosion.
- lithium battery on the charger requirements are very high, not like lead-acid batteries can use ordinary chargers, if used once the current is too large, breaking through the lithium battery protection plate may result in combustion or even explosion.
