Battery FAQ

Q: What is battery sulfation and why does it cause battery failure ?

A: Each time a battery is discharged some of the sulfuric acid in the electrolyte is converted to lead sulfate crystals which form on the plates. These crystals interfere with the chemical reaction neccessary for proper battery operation. When the battery is recharged MOST (but not all) the sulfates are reconverted back into sulfuric acid. This is why a discharged battery will have a low Specific Gravity (SG) reading. Over time the sulfates which are not reconstituted as acid form stubborn patches of large crystal growths that will grow and eventually choke the life out of a lead acid battery. These crystal growths if not stopped will act like ice expanding the cases (bulges), breaking the plates and plate and cell interconnects and causing shorts.

Q: Why does a battery die when it sits ?

A: All lead acid batteries will self discharge forming sulfates in the process. The degree of self discharge will depend on temperature, plate chemistry, and how clean the battery is and how it is stored.

Q: Is there any truth to storing a battery on the ground being a bad idea ?

A: Yes, When stored on the ground the battery will assume the same temperature as the ground. When warmer moist air comes in contact with the battery case, moisture can condense out (like an iced drink in the summer) and increase the amount of self discharge across the top of the case (between the posts). To see this in action take a voltmeter and attach one lead to a post and drag the other lead across the top. You will note an increasing voltage as the probe heads to the other post. To reduce this aspect of self discharge always store batteries on a shelf or on some form of insulation.