Battery Reconditioning Information

How Do They Work

First off, most of them work better when we give them some attention, not just when they have run flat or need battery reconditioning. Essentially, they are the same as any rechargeable batteries. In the case of a car, technically, the battery is called a lead acid battery. The chemicals are different but the idea is the same.

A lead acid battery is recharged by something called an alternator while you are driving. The battery starts the car and then the car charges the battery.

For the purposes of this discussion, there are two categories of car batteries. One variety needs no maintenance. The other kind has easily detachable caps and needs to be checked occasionally for water levels. Battery reconditioning generally works better on non-maintenance free batteries, but can work on both. The important thing to note is NOT to use tap water or even bottled water when topping up. Distilled water is demineralised, i.e. contains no minerals which would interfere with the chemical operation of the battery. Distilled water can be bought at a supermarket and is very cheap (you are supposed to use this in your clothes iron).

The next time that you check your oil while refuelling, also take a peek at the battery terminals to see if they are tightened properly. A loose connection will cause all sorts of electrical hassles.

Common Problems

The problem you are most likely to encounter is discharging the battery accidentally by leaving even a small light on in the car. This is not a crisis. In older cars with a stick shift, it is possible to push start the car. Modern day cars that use unleaded fuel typically have something called a catalytic converter (or cat for short) in the exhaust system. Such a car should not be push started. Consult your manual to be sure. A car with an automatic transmission should never be push started. In either case, it is safer and easier to jump start or fix the car battery by connecting the flat battery using jump leads to a working battery.

Do so as follows:

1. Consult the car manual first as some cars have special terminals that can be used to charge the car battery. If not, proceed to the next step.

2. Position the car with the good battery close enough to the car with the car battery problem.

3. Open the hood of both cars.

4. Turn on anything that uses electricity in the car with the flat battery. This sounds counter productive but ensures that there is not a power surge damaging any sensitive electronics.

5. Keep the car with the good battery running.

6. Attach the red cable to the positive (+) of the good battery and then to the positive of the flat battery.

7. Attach the black cable to the negative (-) of the good battery.

8. Do not attach the other end to the flat battery. Instead, attach it to an unpainted surface such as a nut on the suspension mount.

9. Try to start the car with the flat battery. It may help to wait a minute or two and possibly step lightly on the gas of the working car. Make sure it is in park!

10. When the car starts, remove the leads in reverse order to which you attached them i.e. black on the flat car, black on the good car, red on the flat car and red on the good car.

11. Lastly, make sure you leave the car running for a while to allow the alternator to properly charge the flat battery.

It is also possible to charge the car battery by using a special battery charger which you connect to ordinary household power. There are different types of chargers, so follow the instructions for your model. When battery reconditioning please make sure that the battery remains well ventilated. If it becomes hot or swollen, stop immediately.

In some cases, batteries may explode due to a build up of gas caused by the charging. This gas is flammable.

Other Possible Problems

*All batteries degrade over time. This means that inevitably the battery will run down and not be rechargeable. A degraded battery will not work for battery reconditioning.
*Vibration or corrosion can cause damage to the interior of the battery causing it to fail prematurely.
*The case may crack.
*Terminals may break.
*Sulfation may occur when a car battery is left uncharged for a long time. Sometimes it is possible to fix a car battery like this with trickle or slow charging.

Sadly, in most cases above, it means your battery is permanently fried.

It may happen that your battery is fine and keeps going flat because of an electrical fault or a malfunctioning alternator. This means a visit to the auto electrician is in order.

Repair and Battery Reconditioning

A quick stop in a battery or auto shop will reveal if your battery can be repaired or reconditioned.

A car battery is not difficult to replace but you will not save all that much doing it yourself. If you plan on going the DIY route, you should always disconnect the negative terminal first to remove the “ground.” This will prevent accidentally creating a short circuit. The ground is normally attached to the car body meaning it is easier to create a short and possibly hurt yourself than you may think. Be aware that the battery does contain acid and can cause bodily harm. Protective eyewear and other measures should be taken. Many a good shirt has been ruined just poking around with a battery. Learn more about battery reconditioning.

Leave battery reconditioning and go back to car battery problems

New! Comments