Re: (ET) batteries

["David Roden" <etpost drmm net>]

On 4 May 2007 at 21:43, David C Robie wrote:

> If cells are off balance SG wise, taking out
> some of the extra water and  adding  little acid will  balance em

Be very careful with this.  

When a battery is manufactured, the electrolyte concentration is balanced 
with the amount of active material in the plates.  As the battery ages, 
active material is lost, and this is the reason that the maximum SG 
declines.  

If you reconcentrate the electrolyte to a new battery's SG (or even just 
to 
a higher SG), you throw the battery out of balance.  You add capacity to 
the 
electrolyte, but you can't add capacity to the plates.  This means that 
when 
you discharge the battery, you over-discharge the plates.  This 
accelerates 
the battery's decline.

It may be tempting to "restore" the electrolyte when the SG is low, but 
unless you're absolutely sure that you've somehow spilled or diluted the 
electrolyte, you should never add anything to a battery but distilled 
water.


David Roden - Akron, Ohio, USA

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