Table of Contents
In this article, We are going to discuss about the step-by-step process on how to recondition a sealed car battery. We often think that if our car battery is dead, it is better to discard it or replace it with a new battery. Buying a new battery is one of the best options considered by people, but it is not always the best option when the battery can be reconditioned.
The reconditioning of the battery is considered an option that is best for the environment. The reconditioning helps the environment because the battery is known to emit chemical substances in the environment harming it.
So, it is better to recondition the battery at home into its initial condition and save money. With some learning and effort, you can convert your old battery into a completely new battery.
Reconditioning of old batteries is very easy, and anyone can do it after learning and equipping with the necessary safety tools. Battery reconditioning is a new trend to save our planet from pollution.
So here are some steps that will help you to learn to recondition your old car battery, and you will gain confidence in performing the reconditioning process.
Access Now: Dead Simple Trick To Bring Any Battery Back To Life
Reasons why you should learn Reconditioning batteries
Learning was never wrong; you should learn more and more to enhance your skill and knowledge, but why we emphasize learning to recondition? We ask people to recondition the battery because of the following reasons:
- The reconditioning of batteries helps to save the environment.
- The reconditioning of batteries is very safe to perform.
- The battery becomes a completely brand-new battery that can get used for several years.
How to recondition your Dead car batteries
Lead car batteries are known as wet batteries and can be reconditioned with the help of distilled water. The car battery is 12V and is lead acid-based with Lead terminals and sulphuric acid, which act as electrolytes for the battery construction. When it comes to car batteries, there are two types of car batteries i.e., flooded cell and sealed cell.
Now, what is the difference between flooded and sealed cells?
Flooded cells have very operable caps for each cell where distilled is filled to the maximum. These batteries last 4-5 years but requires continuous maintenance.
Flooded cell batteries have detachable caps for each cell where distilled water is filled up to the working level. Although it lasts for about 4-5 years, it is quite sensitive and requires constant maintenance, while the Sealed cells are the newer version of the cells that last a maximum of 2 years without maintenance and become non-serviceable after 2 years.
What is the Equipment needed before start reconditioning a sealed car battery or any battery?
- Protective clothing or apron
- Goggles, chemical-resistant gloves, and other safety equipment
- Battery charger
- Voltmeter
- A basic tool kit that includes a screwdriver
- Plastic funnel
- Two larger plastic buckets
- Distilled water
- 1 pound Epsom salt
- 1 pound baking soda
- Steel wool
- Toothbrush
- Voltmeter
- Battery load tester
How to Recondition A Sealed Car Battery?
As we know that we should practice reconditioning but how? To recondition a battery, there are several steps you must follow to increase your battery life. The steps are given below:
Step 1: Checking the Battery
The first step is to clean the battery terminals with the help of gloves. The battery can have stains of corrosion. These stains should be cleaned before starting reconditioning the battery. You have to clean the battery terminals with the paste of baking soda and water.
The paste will help you to remove corrosion. You can use steel wool or a toothbrush to remove the corrosion. It will take time to remove corrosion, but it is a very important step before reconditioning a car lead battery. After removing the corrosion, you have to wipe the area and leave the battery until it is completely dried.
Step 2: Check the Battery Voltage
Now the next step involves a voltmeter that will help you to check the voltage of the battery. You have to connect the voltmeter to your battery, and if the reading comes less than 12.6V, then you can start reconditioning the battery. If the reading comes as 0, then your battery cannot get reconditioned, and you have to get it replaced with a brand-new battery.
Step 3: Empty the Battery
The next involves the chemical-resistant goggles, so you should use them to don’t get burned from the battery acid. After wearing the goggles and gloves, you can use a screwdriver to remove the battery caps.
After the removal of battery caps, you can use a plastic bucket to drain all the battery old acid into it. Now you have ass baking soda to neutralize the old acid after you get it completely emptied the battery cells.
Step 4: Clean the Cells
The next step is to pour the distilled water with the baking soda into each cell. You have to use a plastic funnel to pour the liquid into the cell. The liquid should be transparent and should be filled into each cell. Once the cells are full, you have to put caps on the battery and shake well so that the inside will be cleaned.
Now, again pour the mixture into the bucket. The inside will be completely cleaned with this mixture. After this step, your battery is ready to get reconditioned.
Step 5: Recondition the Battery
Now you have to create electrolytes. The electrolyte will be formed with distilled water and Epsom salt. This mixture will raise the voltage and also stop the plate from sulfation that will kill the battery. You have to add distilled water into the bucket and add Epsom salt into it.
Now, when you see that the water is clear, you have to fill the cell of the battery. Now when each cell is 100% full, you have to put the caps on the battery and shake it for a couple of minutes, and now the battery is ready to recharge.
Step 6: Charge the Reconditioned Battery
You have to be careful that the electrolyte solution does not overflow or heat up because if the battery builds up too much pressure, then it will cause trouble.
Now the steps come to recharge the battery. You have to connect the positive lead to the positive terminal and the negative post to the negative terminal and slowly charge the battery for a day or two.
Step 7: Test the Battery
This is the last step that is required to complete the reconditioning process. You have to check the battery with the help of a voltmeter at every step of reconditioning of battery.
You have to check if the reading comes as 12.4V or more than the artery is ready to be tested, but if the reading comes less than 12.4V, then you have to continue charging the battery.
When the voltage becomes normal, you can connect your battery to the car. Now you have to allow your battery to run under load for a few minutes and again check with the voltmeter for the correct reading. If the battery fails in the first load test, then you have to discharge it and again recharge it until you get the correct readings on the voltmeter.
After all these steps of reconditioning, you will get a new battery that will run for several months and years.
Sealed Car Battery Reconditioning Frequently Asked questions:
Why Do I Need to Recondition My Car Batteries?
Reconditioning your battery will help you to save money from buying a new battery. Also, by reconditioning your old battery, you are doing a great job and saving the environment.
Is Reconditioning of Battery Is Safe?
Yes, renditioning is very safe if you follow all types of instructions and equip yourself with safety equipment. This will help you to conduct the reconditioning process with ease.
Can I Pour Any Other Thing Other Than Epsom Salt Like Vinegar Solution?
No, it is not advised to mix any other substance other than Epsom salt because it will cause problems with the battery and will damage your battery permanently.
What Is the Typical Reading for A Fully Charged Battery?
The reading for a fully charged battery will 12V or more than 12V. In case the battery measures less than this, then you can ensure that the battery is not fully charged.
How Can You Safely Dispose of a Battery?
You can dispose of the battery in the recycling center or trade it in exchange for a new battery.
Conclusion
From the above discussion, you have a clear idea about reconditioning your lead-based car batteries. Reconditioning has become a new trend nowadays; more and more people try to bring back the life of their batteries by the process of reconditioning before disposing of them.
The reconditioning of the battery can make way into your list of new wins. You can recondition your old batteries that will not only save your money but also saves our mother earth. You can try reconditioning by learning the steps given in the above article.
If you want to know more, then you should learn this process from an online battery reconditioning program. The EZ battery reconditioning program is designed to help people perform the battery reconditioning process without any hassle, so it is a better option to opt for.
