On Thu, 13 Oct 2005 20:01:07 GMT "Asimov"
wrote:

I always thought a little bubbling near the end of charge might be
desirable because it physically sheds some sulfation off the plates
and leaving them with more active area. The battery must be monitored
more often near end charge for this to happen safely, though.

I get the impression that this is "common knowledge" but I think I can
persuade you that it's counterproductive.

The battery works by taking sulfate ions in and out of solution:
sulfuric acid goes to lead sulfate, etc. Lead sulfate which is shed
off the plates will fall to the bottom of the case and stay there as
an insoluble precipitate. In this process, it removes sulfate ions
from the process. It also removes lead from the plates.

The buildup of this precipitate may eventually short out the cell,
plus the permanent loss of sulfate ions weakens the sulfuric acid and
weakens the battery. The loss of lead may eventually lead to
degradation of the plate.

If you take your time and reverse the sulfation process slowly, you
won't have any of these problems.

How'd I do? Are you convinced?

In my opinion, there is really only one real stumbling block with
reversing sulfation and that is time. If you have time, it can be
fixed. If you don't, you'll just have to replace the battery.

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Jim Adney
Madison, WI 53711 USA
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