Re: (ET) charger, desulfator

[Michael S Briggs <msbriggs unh edu>]

David,
	Thanks for all the info. I did some more reading online, and it 
does seem like as long as the battery is being regularly charged (and 
immediately charged after discharge, rather than sitting discharged for a 
while), that sulfation shouldn't be a problem. The issue then is making 
sure the battery is being properly charged.
	Does it seem like using a low-power smart charger for finishing 
the charging (after initial charging most of the way with the OEM charger 
and Landis controller) would be a worthwhile expense?

Thanks,
Mike


--

--------------------------------------------------------------
Michael S. Briggs, PhD
UNH Physics Department
(603) 862-2828
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On Thu, 22 May 2014, David Roden wrote:

> On 22 May 2014 at 14:28, Michael S Briggs wrote:
>
> > So if my OEM charger is working fine (seems to be), with the
> > Landis charger, you're saying there would be no benefit to using a
> > maintainer/desulfator?
>
> A smarter charger will take better care of the batteries, that's for sure.
>
> However, there's no need for a "desulfator."
>
> The "pulse" gadgets have their proponents.  However, all the testimonials
> I've ever seen are anecdotal.  They aren't backed up by any real data.
>
> Don't misunderstand here, sulfation is a real phenomenon.  It's an actual
> loss of active material able to participate in the charging reaction.  It
> results from chronic undercharging (which in my experience is significantly
> less common than overcharging).
>
> The key is that actual sulfation - if you have it - is NOT reversible by 
> any
> electrical or mechanical means (except perhaps rebuilding the battery).
>
> However, it IS possible to restore some capacity to an old battery, 
> sulfated
> or otherwise, simply by giving it a long, slow equalizing charge.
>
> You can get even more capacity back by cycling it repeatedly - a normal
> discharge followed by a normal charge. The more you use the battery, the
> more capacity it gets, kind of like when we exercise.  If you stop, though,
> just as with people who work out, the battery eventually goes back to the
> capacity it had before (at most).
>
> You can do that just fine with an ordinary good quality battery charger.
> You don't need an overpriced gadget with blinking lights.
>
> Over the years I've challenged several desulfator fans to run a carefully
> documented double-blind test on a set of allegedly sulfated old batteries,
> half with the pulsing desulfator, the other half following the above 
> regimen
> with with a good adjustable battery charger, and publush the results.  No
> one has yet taken me up on it.  Want to be the first?  ;-)
>
>
> David Roden - Akron, Ohio, USA
>
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