Here are maintenance tips of batteries or cells
Batteries can be damaged if not handle with care. The lifespan of battery can be shorten if discharged to full discharge or flat that is; completely drained if they aren’t for deep discharge purposes. Because, their lead plates electrodes will coat with sulphate deposits. Example of this type of batteries are the Starting, Lightening and Ignition (SLI) batteries such as Flooded Lead-Acid batteries. Instead, use these batteries for full discharging or deep discharging applications: Absorbent Glas Mat (AGM), Valve Regulated Lead-Acid (VRLA) or Sealed Lead-Acid (SLA) and Gel Cells (GCs) which are “maintenance free” batteries. They are special batteries which are mainly for such purposes. Because, they are also more tolerant to deep discharge.
So, to give your batteries or cells good maintenance attention, always check what type of battery you are using . Doing this will make your battery lasts longer!
The batteries or cells maintenance tips
1. Do not short circuit the battery’s terminals
Connecting both terminals or electrodes of the battery whether accidentally or not with conductor will short circuit the battery. Therefore, it causes internal heat which is the most common reason for battery failures.
2. Check the battery’s EMF regularly
Checking the battery’s voltage regularly will ensure that you don’t drain the battery beyond expectation.
3. Check the electrolyte level regularly
Though modern flooded lead-acid batteries have hygrometer on them to show the status of the battery. Normally, green colour means good health. White colour means recharge the battery while red colour tells you to replace the battery or electrolyte. You can also top up the electrolyte with some amount of distilled or pure water when required.
4. Do not overcharge the battery
Overcharging battery will cause the cells loose their capacities.
5. Do not discharge battery to flat
Discharging battery to flat especially the ones who are not for deep discharge purpose will cause the lead plates electrodes coat with sulphate deposits. This act shortens the battery’s lifespan.
6. Always use battery’s charging recommendations
Batteries have recommended charging voltages and currents. Make sure that the voltage and current you are charging the battery with is in compliance to the recommendation.
7. Ensure right polarity for charging
When charging battery, connect the charger parallel to the battery’s electrodes. That is; positive of charger to positive electrode and negative of the charger to the negative electrode.
8. Do not rapidly discharge and recharge battery
Rapidly or constantly discharging and recharging battery will shortened the battery’s lifespan. Because the stipulated charge cycles will be reached not long.
9. Keep battery clean
Battery’s terminals should be clean always to get rid of corrosion. Applying grease on the battery’s terminals can reduce this.
10. Do not combine batteries of different capacities
Connecting different batteries of different capacities will cause the one with higher capacity to overwork. If they were rechargeable types, one will get fully charged faster than the other. This can overcharge the one that is fully charged in the process that the other one is still charging.
11. Use battery at a cool temperature
Heat has been the reasons for many battery damages. Keeping battery cool will increase its lifespan.
12. Do not mix old with new batteries
Connecting old battery in series or parallel with a new one will cause the new one to overwork. Because, it will try to compensate the old one. This hence, shortens the new battery’s lifespan.
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