Re: (ET) 2nd generation LFA Desulfator: DIY

["David Roden" <etpost drmm net>]

Some folks swear by these gadgets, including a few with battery 
experience; 
but AFAIK none of them is an electrochemist.  I wonder why that is.  

Must be a conspiracy.  ;-)

Battery sulfation is reversed by charging, period.  That's how the battery 
works, and that's all that "desulfators" really do.  I have yet to see any 
evidence that these gadgets work any better than a long, slow equalization 
charge with an ordinary charger.

Now it's true that a periodic initial bulk-charge whack at high current 
(C/5 
or so) can be helpful for maintaining capacity.  However, "desulfators" 
don't do that.

Shed and precipitated crystalline lead sulfate can't be restored to the 
grids no matter what you do, so that form of sulfation is irreversible 
regardless.  

If you're charging correctly (not undercharging), capacity loss as a 
battery 
ages is caused by many mechanisms, not just sulfation. The best cure for 
low 
battery capacity is to replace the battery.


David Roden - Akron, Ohio, USA

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = 
Note: mail sent to the "etpost" address will not reach me.  To send 
me a private message, please use "evadm at drmm period net."
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
All we learn from history is history repeats.
 
                     -- Andrew Ratshin

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =