How to Restore Lead-acid Batteries - Luxury Coach Lifestyles
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 02-25-2013, 10:56 PM   #1
The Newell
Senior Member
 
The Newell's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,018
Default How to Restore Lead-acid Batteries

A lead acid battery goes through three life phases, called formatting, peak and decline (Figure 1). In the formatting phase, try to imagine sponge-like lead plates that are being exposed to a liquid. Exercising the plates allows the absorption of more liquid, much like squeezing and releasing a sponge. This enables the electrolyte to better fill the usable areas, an exercise that increases the capacity.


Formatting is most important for deep-cycle batteries and requires 20 to 50 full cycles to reach peak capacity. Field usage achieves this. There is no need to apply added cycles for the sake of priming; however, manufacturers recommend to go easy on the battery until broken in. Starter batteries are less critical and do not need priming; the full cranking power is present right from the beginning, although the CCA reading will go up slightly with early use.
[TABLE]
<tbody>[TR]
[TD]
[/TD]
[TD]

Figure 1: Cycle life of a battery
The three phases of a battery are formatting, peak and decline.
Courtesy of Cadex
[/TD]
[/TR]
</tbody>[/TABLE]
A deep-cycle battery delivers 100–200 cycles before it starts the gradual decline. Replacement should occur when the capacity drops to 70 or 80 percent. Some applications allow lower capacity thresholds but the time for retirement should not fall below 50 percent because the aging occurs rapidly once the battery is past its prime. Apply a fully saturated charge of 14 to 16 hours. Operating at moderate temperatures assure the longest service times. If at all possible, avoid deep discharges; charge more often.


The primary reason for the relatively short cycle life of a lead acid battery is depletion of the active material. According to the 2010 BCI Failure Modes Study,* plate/grid-related breakdown has increased from 30 percent five years ago to 39 percent. The report does not give reasons for the increased wear-and-tear, other than to assume that higher demands of starter batteries in modern cars induce added stress.

While the depletion of the active material is well understood and can be calculated, a lead acid battery suffers from other infirmities long before plate- and grid-deterioration sound the death knell.
__________________

__________________
1976 Newell Classic (Sold)

Home Base: Riverside, CA

If anyone needs my contact info private message me and I will send it to you.

-Joseph-
The Newell is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2013, 10:57 PM   #2
Neweller
Senior Member
 
Neweller's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Heartland
Posts: 3,563
Default

Great timing on a hot topic right now! Thanks Joe.
__________________

__________________
Ken
Previous Owner of 3 Newell's
Wanted: Newell Coach Needing Engine Replacement!
If you want to sell, PM or Private Message me. Thanks!


"I know I’m not perfect, and I don't live to be. But before you start pointing fingers, make sure your hands are clean."
-Bob Marley
Neweller is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-25-2013, 11:01 PM   #3
The Newell
Senior Member
 
The Newell's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Southern California
Posts: 1,018
Default

My hope is that all this information on batteries will help others prolong their battery life.
__________________
1976 Newell Classic (Sold)

Home Base: Riverside, CA

If anyone needs my contact info private message me and I will send it to you.

-Joseph-
The Newell is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-26-2013, 08:52 PM   #4
NewellCrazy
Senior Member
 
NewellCrazy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Sugarland, TX or Salida,CO
Posts: 1,867
Default

Awesome info. Joseph I'm sure others will find it useful
__________________
Sean

If Ain't a Newell, It Ain't Wurt Oonin!
NewellCrazy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-27-2013, 03:45 PM   #5
BMG Coach
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 68
Default

Nice post Joseph I saved your information.
BMG Coach is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
good air brakes tutorials? MarkSparks Life on the Road | Livin' in Luxury 7 03-30-2013 11:02 PM
How to keep both Fresh Water & Black Tank From Freezing Ron in South Dakota General Technical Discussion 4 12-17-2012 05:01 PM
allison 4060 tranny encantotom Major Mechanicals 8 01-03-2012 11:05 PM
Fuel express1 General Technical Discussion 40 05-06-2011 01:08 AM
an unsolicited plug for tim at rvcams.com encantotom Interior Works 1 02-02-2008 06:11 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Newell Coach Corporation or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT. The time now is 10:21 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
×