What Is Reconditioning Car Batteries
Over time, sulfate builds up on the positive plates of your car battery, thanks to being charged over and over again. Eventually, this buildup of sulfate reduces the efficiency of the battery and causes it to take longer to recharge the next time. Reconditioning a car battery removes the sulfate from the plates so it can run more efficiently. It doesnt restore the strength of the battery to 100%, but it does come close.
How To Restore A Car Battery Step By Step:
- Turn off your car and allow the battery to cool for about an hour.
- After that, lift up the hood and detach the battery use a wrench to disconnect the negative cable first, followed by the positive cable.
- Make sure that your wrench is not touching any other metal parts or you might experience a small jolt of electricity.
- Once the cables have been disconnected remove the battery carefully .
- Now, remove the plastic caps on the top of the battery cells. Underneath, you will find marks where the cells have been sealed.
- Use a power drill to make a hole in these marks .
For this next bit, wear some gloves to protect your hands and empty the contents of the cell by turning the battery upside down over a storage container .
- Gradually add small quantities of baking soda to the container. This neutralizes the liquid.
- Repeat this procedure for all cells.
- Cover the storage container tightly and keep it aside youll need to take it to a facility where hazardous waste is disposed.
- Now, mix one part Epsom salt into three parts of warm, distilled water.
- You should have a quart of this solution for one cell.
- Pour the solution into the cells, shake it around for a bit and let it sit.
Heres how you complete the job:
- Connect the three phase charger to the battery.
- Make sure that it is off connect the positive cable first and then the negative cable.
- Set the charger to 12 Volts and switch it on. Let charge for 12 hours.
Congratulations, You have now successfully restored your battery!
Replace The Electrolyte In The Old Battery
Replace the solution that was in your car battery with Epsom salt and one molar concentration with water. This solution can be achieved by mixing 120g with a liter of distilled water and then mixing gently.
You should ensure that the entire Epsom salt is dissolved and that there is no solid residue seen. You should then refill all the cells and cover with the caps.
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How To Recondition Hybrid Batteries
Hybrid cars have hit the roads all over the world in ever increasing numbers since they exploded onto the vehicle scene over the past decade.
Featuring a more simplistic set-up under the bonnet than a standard car, hybrid cars are fitted with a battery that generally lasts between 80,000 and 150,000 miles. Once the end of the road has been reached for this type of battery, you can expect to outlay up to £$3,000 for a new one. Not chump change, by any means.
Hybrid cars have differing numbers of battery modules. The Toyota Prius has 28. If youre lucky enough for your batteries to be replaced before their warranty is up, the manufacturer will cover the cost. If not, youre looking at around $700 per module, and even then the manufacturer will recondition the module ready for resale. Meaning that they effectively profit twice.
Lifespan of a reconditioned hybrid battery: Between 6 and 7 years.
Stuff youll need:distilled water, voltmeter, battery charger and syringe.
The step-by-step for reconditioning a hybrid battery
An alternative method is to remove the existing battery acid and add a new acid mixed with distilled water. Then allow the battery to charge for 3+ hours.
Use Epsom Salt Solution
If the problem is caused by a low electrolyte level, using Epsom salt to make an electrolyte solution will help revive your car battery. Check out this article on how to check your batterys electrolyte level. Epsom salt is a stronger acid, which contains a variety of hydrates, and it might help tip the chemical balance and deliver enough charge to start the engine.
To make a distilled water and epsom salt solution, dissolve 1 part Epsom salt with 3 parts warm, distilled water. Add to each cell until the plates are covered by ¼ to ½ electrolyte solution. For a more detailed process on how to do this, refer to this article.
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Why Should You Recondition Batteries
When your car battery doesnt hold charge, it will need to be reconditioned. Car batteries can be less effective, have low charge capacity and totally stop providing electricity to your car, if your car battery wont charge or hold charge.
Reconditioning or refurbishing your car battery allows the battery to be recharged again. When your car battery recharges again it can operate that cars electrical system and thats why the car battery should be reconditioned.
Throwing or wasting any batteries is very bad for the environment. They are leaking chemicals to the environment, causing a significant impact on the well-being of the planet. So throwing a car battery is not a perfect solution.
Benefits Of Reviving Old Batteries
1) Saves you money The process of reconditioning the old battery cell is simple. It can be done using easy household materials and a few added tools. The outcome, however, can save you a lot of money. The cost of new batteries especially in cars and motor vehicles are a huge expense. But this can easily be curbed by this simple step.
2) Saves green energy There are many ways in which green energy are produced these days, but the question of saving this energy boggles many. The batteries that are designed to save green energy can be a huge expense. Old, fixed batteries make a great storage option here. This way, not only will you be able to save money, but you will also save green energy which contributes greatly to the conservation of the environment in many ways.
3) Saves you trouble Think about a situation when the current battery you have goes down, and you are in the middle of nowhere. Knowing about fixing batteries can help you with this problem. Once you know how to do it, it will save you the trouble and the inconvenience that dead batteries can bring.
5) Money generation Most of the time, the thought that comes to restoring the batteries is related to personal use. Something that is becoming more important in the whole battery reconditioning business world is a profession out of this skill. It is a simple skill, and there is a huge market space for this business for the ones who are serious about it.
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How Does A Car Battery Work
The battery in your vehicle is there to provide a jolt of electrical energy to start the engine and to provide engine-off accessory power for a limited amount of time. Once the engine is running, the alternator takes over to power the accessories and charge the battery. Car batteries typically feature six connected cells in a lead-acid formulation, or up to 12 cells in a 24-volt system found in heavy trucks or other large vehicles.
How To Recondition Batteries Is It Possible
Most people believe that an old battery should be thrown away and replaced with a new one. While this is the only solution for these people, there is another way to save money and get a 100% working battery.
Its time to talk about how to recondition batteries . Continue reading
You need to know that battery reconditioning is very simple and can be done by any single person. You will need a bit of your time and a few gadgets and items, but you will be able to get a completely new battery. This means your old, reconditioned battery will have the same capacity and features as a brand new unit.
If you are interested in the know-how to recondition batteries, almost all types of batteries, are reconditioned, pay attention to all of the details below.
Plus, you get a new battery, save money, and dont pollute the environment. In this way, we can reduce the impact of old batteries on the environment by 50%. As the end result, the planet will be healthier and you will not have to pay a lot of money for a brand new battery simply because it is very expensive.
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How To Recondition A Laptop Battery
Laptop battery reconditioning is more than just possible, and there are many different ways to achieve it. However, some of these can be time-consuming. In either case, your best bet is just to give it a try, as a new laptop battery is expensive and may cost more than a new laptop.
On the other hand, all of these ways are easy and you can do them yourself. Laptops with replaceable batteries are much easier. However, you can do these steps on laptops with non-removable batteries.
Also, do not use these solutions on a new battery as it will have a negative impact and will damage it. Either way, you can recondition an old battery and use this laptop for much longer. The best part is that all of the solutions cost nothing.
What Causes A Car Battery Not To Hold A Charge
One significant reason why a car battery wont hold a charge is age. Obvious signs that your battery is too old and worn out include corrosion and cracking. If its at least four years old, then it should probably be replaced. For younger batteries, a car that isnt started for days or weeks can also lose its charge.
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Empty The Battery Cells
Remove each battery cap and place them in a temporary container, so you dont lose them. If its a sealed battery, use the flathead screwdriver to pry off the battery cover and battery cell caps underneath.
Carefully empty the battery acid from each cell into the bucket.
Add around 500gm of baking soda to the bucket to neutralize the battery acid, so its safe for disposal at a recycling center.
If there are any spills, pour the baking soda cleaning solution to neutralize this too.
How To Recondition A Car Battery And Other Batteries: Ultimate Guide
People often think that a dead battery should be discarded and pay huge bucks to buy a brand new one. While this is one option to retrieve a fully functional battery, it is not the only way. One can also recondition the batteries, i.e. restoring back the battery back to its initial condition and save money. With some effort, you can get a 100% functional battery, and the following post is your step-to-step guide to recondition batteries.
Reconditioning old batteries is quite easy and anyone can learn to do it. All you need is time and some devices to recover a fully functional battery. Not only it saves your money, but you also save your mother planet by not polluting it. Your old battery will look as new as newly bought one, and you can also make off some money by selling them!
So we basically compiled a comprehensive battery conditioning article thatll lead you to reconditioning any type of battery.
Before beginning, if havent already, considering getting yourself a handy OBD scanner which allows you to connect to car after battery reconditioning, and instantly detect any faults within the OBD software.
Bon Voyage!
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Why Do Car Batteries Fail
In car batteries, the lead sulfate is changed to lead and sulfuric acid before it is revived and recharged. In a situation where sulfation has occurred, the battery goes through a lot of changes.
These include lowered capacity, high temperatures, a long time for a recharge, and high deterioration rate.
In such situation, a better option is to use a high powered specialized charger that provides high current in the battery. The process may be started by checking the voltage of the battery.
These batteries are also in demand in the market which can become a good way to reclaim the cost of the equipment purchased. The biggest problem with batteries is the premature failure which is the reason why most people get irritated.
The answer to that is battery reconditioning. You should, however, make sure the fixing process is done in a safe and open environment and all necessary safety precautions are undertaken.
What If The Reconditioning Process Doesnt Work The First Time
There is a possibility that the reconditioning will not take the first time you attempt it. There are several options that you have.
The first option is to allow the battery to sit on charge for another 12 hours or so. If any of the electrolyte solution has spilled over, clean it up, and refill the battery cell. After charging another 12 hours try the load test again.
The second option is to drain the battery completely and charge it back up again. There are several ways to do this. One way is the manual way, turn the car into the ON position, turn the high beams on, and allow the car electronics to drain the battery much like the load test. Another way is to use a special deep-cycle charger, this will discharge your battery and charge it back up again. Either way will work.
After you have discharged and recharged the battery, try the load test again. In my research, I found it is possible that you may have to cycle the battery more than once to get an acceptable voltage reading. However, when you do, you will have a newly reconditioned car battery ready to go.
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How Long Does It Take To Recondition A Car Battery
There the short answer is its hard to say. The time it takes to recondition a battery depends on how long it takes you to carry out the steps mentioned above, as well as, the condition of the battery. This is also assuming you have all the materials and so on.
One thing you know for certain is its going to take at least 24 to 36 hours 2 recharge the battery. That time limit is the only thing that you have certain
The actual process on how to carry out the steps above is a different story. Assuming that you have all the materials required it should only take about an hour to conduct the reconditioning.
Of course, the first time that you recondition the battery its going to take longer. You will move slower because you are trying to be more careful, after all, you dont want to spill battery acid. Figuring the electrolyte solution and becoming familiar with the process all takes time.
What Are The Signs Of A Dead Battery In A Car
5 Unmistakable Signs Your Car Battery is Failing Dim headlights. If your car battery is failing, its not going to be able to fully power your vehicles electrical components including your headlights. Clicking sound when you turn the key. Slow crank. Needing to press on the gas pedal to start. Backfiring.
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Whats The Benefit Of Using A Battery Reconditioning Charger
Ordinary car battery chargers are good to have, but they put our car batteries at risk of being overcharged and eventually being damaged.
Battery reconditioning charger does more than just charge the car battery it is fitted with features that regulate the battery charging process.
Needless to say it is designed with modern technology features.
For instance, it has features that are regulated by microprocessors which check on the amount of current and voltage that the car battery is receiving.
This is great for old type of car batteries that are at high risk of being damaged due to their delicate nature.
What Features Does A Battery Reconditioning Charger Come With?
It is important to know the features of a battery reconditioning charger that makes it an excellent choice to go for if you own an old type of car battery.
The features include:
How Does A Battery Reconditioning Charger Work?
An ideal battery reconditioning charger works through the following steps:
How Long Does It Take To Recondition A Car Battery Using A Reconditioning Charger?
The whole process would not take that much of your time. However, it depends with the state of your car battery, one that is highly discharged will take a long time to bring back to good condition off course.
The good thing here is the cutting-edge microprocessor makes the whole process efficient and worth taking your car battery through.
Top 3 Best Battery Reconditioning Chargers I Can Buy Today
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Disconnect The Negative Battery Terminal
remove the cable to disconnect the negative battery terminaldo not disconnect the positive battery terminal engine performance decreasesstallsordies out
Key Takeaway Make sure you disconnect the negative battery terminal when conducting the alternator test as disconnecting the positive terminal will damage your car’s electrical computer system.
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Test Battery Voltage And Loading
Disconnect the battery charger and check the battery voltage with the voltmeter. The readings should be around 12.42V. If lower, reconnect the battery charger and charge up for another 12 hours.
If all is well, perform a rudimentary load test:
- Reinstall the battery, turn the ignition key to ON, and switch on the high beams
- Check the battery voltage again
A voltmeter reading of 9.6V means the battery is good. Alternatively, you could use a dedicated battery load tester for this if you have one on hand.
Now that you know what battery reconditioning is and how to do it, lets go over some FAQs.
