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Usually, buying a new battery is the only solution for people when their battery gets dead. People generally discard the old battery and buy a new battery spending a huge amount. Although many people follow this option, this is not the only option that one can go with. The dead battery can also be reconditioned to save money from buying a new battery.
Yes, reconditioning the battery is a great option to get a fully functional battery and save your money. It is an easy process, and any person can do it after learning the complete process. In fact, reconditioning an old battery is beneficial for the environment.
If you are wondering how you can recondition your old battery and save money, then this article is for you. So, let’s start…
Access Now: Dead Simple Trick To Bring Any Battery Back To Life
What Is Battery Reconditioning?
Before proceeding with the battery reconditioning process, you will need to understand what actually battery reconditioning is. In simple words, we can say that battery reconditioning is a process in which one can use a dead battery and make it a fully functional battery by following the steps of battery reconditioning.
Actually, the battery is a very important part of a car and helps to start the engine. It is also useful to operate the electronics of the car. The battery gets discharged with an alternator when you drive the car. But when the battery discharges, it causes sulfation. Sulfation is simply a chemical reaction that forms sulfate crystals around the battery plates.
If the sulfation is more, then it will create more build-ups around the battery plates affecting the charging and discharging cycles of the battery. In the reconditioning process, the sulfation around the battery plates is cleaned. Also, the electrolyte solution is refilled in the battery cells so that the battery will perform like a completely new battery. This way, the battery reconditioning process is very effective and makes the battery ready for optimal performance.
Why Should You Recondition Your Old Batteries?
Reconditioning a battery is nothing but bringing it back to use again. A reconditioned battery can be charged and used in the application. It will enable the user to use the dead battery for additional one or two years. This is why knowing the battery reconditioning process is very important. In fact, this is a great thing for car owners to deal with dead batteries.
- When the demand for batteries is growing day by day, reconditioning the old batteries is worth it. After learning this technique, one can recondition the old batteries safely. Also, he/she can make some money from this skill and save nature from pollution.
- This technique gives you a chance to save the environment and earn some money. It is a good opportunity for people who are interested in working in the field of renewable energy sources.
- Reconditioning a dead car battery is beneficial because it keeps you from spending more money on a new battery. Actually, reconditioning a battery usually costs less compared to buying a new battery.
- People usually give dead batteries for free. So, you can recondition them and make money with less investment. If you are worried about the pollution of the environment and want to do something to keep the environment clean, then you can learn battery reconditioning.
Materials Required to Recondition a Battery with Charger?
So now, let’s understand how to recondition a battery with a charger. Here is a list of the necessary items for reconditioning a battery.
- Distilled water
- Funnel
- Epsom salt
- Safety goggles
- Baking soda
- Flathead screwdriver
- Voltmeter
- Rubber gloves
- Bucket
- Apron
- Battery reconditioning charger
Step By Step Guide to Recondition a Battery
Step 1 – Make Ready the Battery for Reconditioning
First of all, you need to select a properly ventilated area to perform this task. Also, make sure that you have access to a water source in that area. Before working with the battery, you should wear safety goggles, an apron, and rubber gloves. Remove the battery from the car and clean the battery terminals to remove the corrosion and salt buildups.
Make a solution of baking soda and water to clean corrosion in battery terminals. Since the corrosion is acidic, this solution will help you in the removal of corrosion. You can also use steel wool or steel brush to remove the corrosion if it is hard.
Step 2 – Check the Battery Voltage
Now, you will need to check the voltage of the battery to know if the battery is in good condition. You can use a voltmeter to measure the battery voltage. Connect the black wire of the voltmeter to the negative terminal of the battery and the red wire of the voltmeter to the positive terminal of the battery.
The battery should show 12.6 volts if it is in good condition. If the battery is connected to the car and the engine is started, then the battery voltage should be 13.7 volts to 14.7 volts. In case you get a voltage reading of below 12.4 volts, then you need to ensure that the battery is not in good condition. You need to recondition the battery.
Step 3 – Empty the Battery
In this step, you will need to remove the electrolyte solution from the battery and clean the battery plates. Keep your bucket ready to pour the old electrolyte solution from the battery. Also, you need to have some weak electrolyte solution with you to neutralize spills during this process, if any.
Once you have all these items ready, you can remove the battery caps using the flat head screwdriver. Then you need to keep the battery caps in a container securely and pour the battery electrolyte in the bucket slowly. If there are any spills, then you should neutralize that using baking soda solution.
Now, you will need to neutralize the battery acid in the bucket using a baking soda solution. You can make a solution of baking soda and water in 3:1 quantity. You can use this solution to neutralize the acid in the bucket. You need to prepare another solution of baking soda and water in a ratio of 2:1 to clean the battery cells. You need to pour this solution into the battery cells and close the battery caps.
Then lift the battery and shake it for 30 seconds to one minute. Then keep the battery on the surface for one to two minutes. After that, you can remove the battery caps and pour the baking soda solution into the bucket. Then you can dispose of the battery acid in the appropriate way.
Step 4 – Replace the Electrolyte Solution in The Battery
This step is to refill the battery cells with an electrolyte solution. You can prepare a new electrolyte solution using Epsom salt and distilled water. For this, you need to dissolve 120 grams of Epsom salt in 1 liter of distilled water. To dissolve the salt properly, you can use warm water.
Once the solution is prepared, the next step is to pour it into the battery cells. You need to fill all the battery cells properly. After that, close all the battery caps tightly and bring the battery for charging.
Step 5 – Charge the Reconditioned Battery
Take your battery charger and connect it with the battery terminals. You can connect the black cable of the battery charger to the negative terminal and the red cable of the battery charger to the positive terminal. You need to charge the battery slowly for up to 24 hours to 36 hours.
After 36 hours, you can disconnect the battery from the charger and check the battery voltage. If you get a battery voltage of 12.4 volts to 12.6 volts, then the battery is ready to be used. If you have followed all the steps correctly, then you will get the battery in excellent condition.
Step 6 – Conduct A Load Test
You need to do the load test of the recharged battery to check its Cold Cranking Amps or CCA rating. For this purpose, you should get a battery load tester. If the reconditioned battery maintains a voltage of 9.6 volts for 15 seconds, then it will pass the load test.
If the CCA rating of the battery is high, then this battery can perform better. So, while conducting the load test, you need to ensure that you get high CCA ratings for your battery. Actually, this helps to start the car engine easily during the cold seasons. So, you must check this when you are load testing your car battery.
If the battery doesn’t perform well during the load test, you need to discharge it completely and recharge it again for 24 hours to 36 hours. After that, you can perform the load test. If the battery is passed the load test, you can reinstall it in your vehicle.
Reconditioning Battery Frequently Asked Questions:
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How Long a Reconditioned Battery Does Last?
A reconditioned battery can last up to 1 year. But the actual lifespan of a reconditioned battery depends on the type of battery you are using. In this way, the lifespan of a reconditioned battery can last for less than one year or more than one year.
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How Do I Know When I Shouldn’t Recondition a Battery?
Several factors are there to take into consideration before you recondition a battery. For example, if you have already reconditioned a battery three times, then that battery can’t be reconditioned. Actually, reconditioning the battery doesn’t make the battery brand new. It improves the battery performance and lets you use the battery for some more time.
So, you can’t expect the same performance by reconditioning the battery again and again. Moreover, every time you recondition the battery, the performance of the battery reduces. Apart from that, if the battery is physically damaged, then it can’t be reconditioned. Reconditioning a damaged battery can be dangerous.
In case you don’t have the necessary items, then you shouldn’t try to recondition your battery at home. If you do so, then you can damage your battery, and it can be also risky for you.
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Can I Use Vinegar in My Battery Cells to Maintain the Amount of Electrolyte?
No, vinegar is not the right solution to add to your battery cells to refill the lost electrolyte. Actually, this will form lead acid because of the reaction of acetic acid and sulfuric acid. You can use distilled water in the battery cells instead of vinegar.
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Is Reconditioning Old Batteries Worth It?
Yes, reconditioning dead batteries is a great way to save money and save our environment from pollution. When you buy a new battery, you spend a lot of money on it. On the other hand, the cost of reconditioning batteries is low, and it makes the battery perform like new. If the battery is not physically damaged, then you can opt for the reconditioning process and improve your battery performance.
By reconditioning the battery, you can increase its lifespan up to one to two years. Moreover, you can recondition a battery up to two to three times. This way, you can use a battery for a longer period than its actual lifespan. Reconditioning the battery reduces the amount of waste exposed to the environment. In this way, this also benefits the environment and helps keep the environment pollution free.
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What Are the Other Methods of Battery Reconditioning?
Apart from reconditioning a battery with a charger, you can also follow other methods. In general, what method to follow for reconditioning a battery depends on the type of battery you want to recondition. Some other methods of battery reconditioning are jump-start, deep cycle charging, replacement of battery cell, and replacement of electrolyte solution.
Conclusion
So now you have learned the step-by-step guide to recondition a dead battery. We hope you have found this technique helpful and effective for cost-saving.
If you want to learn the battery reconditioning process in detail, then you can opt for the EZ battery reconditioning program. There you can find multiple courses related to this topic and learn the battery reconditioning methods in detail.
