A lot of mysticism/voodoo exists wrt lead/acid battery charging and
handling.

The old "law" that a battery will be ruined if left to sit on a concrete
floor will probably live on indefinitely.

Some folks will strongly defend the rectified AC charger method, while
others will dismiss it as being a non-issue.
See the desulfator (desulphator) discussion started on the 25th, and/or read
about their use of pulses to extend useful lead/acid battery life.

The which-is-faster or which-is-better debates continue as instant
gratification becomes more popular.
Manufacturers want consumers to believe their products are extra durable and
recharge faster than any other, as an incentive to purchasing and profits.

Charging lead/acid batteries slowly and completely has always been the best
method.

The average consumer generally doesn't own enough of one brand/type of
batteries to be able to establish meaningful statistical data (numerous
identical vehicles all with batteries of the same brand, type, age and
usage).. but fleet maintenance shops often do.

Over the years, the people I've known that were frequently replacing their
car batteries have been the ones that let the battery go dead (from leaving
lights on or various electrical problems), then jump the battery to get the
car going, and never put the battery on a charger.

Aside from manufacturing defects or accidental damage, negligence and abuse
are the factors that kill batteries.

--
Cheers,
WB
..............


"klem kedidelhopper" wrote in message
...
I'm having a discussion on another group with someone about battery
charging. I often charge my batteries including automotive off my
bench power supply. He was telling me that smooth regulated DC is not
the best thing to use for charging batteries. He said that half wave
rectified unfiltered DC will prevent the growth of "dentrites" that
can eventually extend and short out the plates. This is the first I've
ever heard of this. Does anyone have any further insight on this? Lenny

Wild_Bill wrote:
A lot of mysticism/voodoo exists wrt lead/acid battery charging and handling.

Yes.

Aside from manufacturing defects or accidental damage, negligence and abuse are the factors that kill batteries.

Some abuse comes in the form of 'preventive maintenance'.

Occasionally I hear a recommendation to put a slurry of
baking soda and water on top of my car battery to
neutralize the acid that builds up.

That was never particularly a good idea and now it is
a very bad idea because of the way modern batteries are
made. Years ago, batteries actually had a raised rim around
each cap opening that tended to prevent junk from falling
into the cells:
http://acarbattery.com/wp-content/up...teryWater2.jpg

Modern batteries don't have that feature and will funnel
crap into the cells. That soda slurry on the top of the
battery will get flushed into into it and ruin the battery
sooner or later, I guarantee.
http://hostedmedia.reimanpub.com/TFH..._CARBAT_03.JPG

A gentle drizzling of tap water from the garden hose on
top of the Closed battery while scrubbing with a disposable
brush will neutralize the acid quickly and safely.

As always, wear "work clothes" and protective eyewear
when working on car batteries.

--Winston

The soda paste won't do much harm to a side-terminal battery, though.

Back when engine crankcases were vented (breather caps) into the engine
compartment/atmosphere, batteries in cars with high mileage would generally
get covered with an accumulation of crud, so perodic cleaning of the tops of
the cases was generally required since the accumulation could present a
conductive path for discharging.

Many folks apply grease or those treated felt washers to the top-post type
batteries, but I just prefer to keep them clean.. an occasional brushing
with a terminal cleaner can prevent unexpected problems.

You're right about taking personal protection precautions any time battery
maintenance/service is performed.
I think anyone who's done their own car work/service has been surprised at
finding holes in their freshly laundered clothes, which weren't there
before.

I always like to get the baking soda before starting, just in case, and an
ample supply of fresh water should be a standard practice.

--
Cheers,
WB
..............


"Winston" wrote in message
...
Wild_Bill wrote:
A lot of mysticism/voodoo exists wrt lead/acid battery charging and
handling.

Yes.

Aside from manufacturing defects or accidental damage, negligence and
abuse are the factors that kill batteries.

Some abuse comes in the form of 'preventive maintenance'.

Occasionally I hear a recommendation to put a slurry of
baking soda and water on top of my car battery to
neutralize the acid that builds up.

That was never particularly a good idea and now it is
a very bad idea because of the way modern batteries are
made. Years ago, batteries actually had a raised rim around
each cap opening that tended to prevent junk from falling
into the cells:
http://acarbattery.com/wp-content/up...teryWater2.jpg

Modern batteries don't have that feature and will funnel
crap into the cells. That soda slurry on the top of the
battery will get flushed into into it and ruin the battery
sooner or later, I guarantee.
http://hostedmedia.reimanpub.com/TFH..._CARBAT_03.JPG

A gentle drizzling of tap water from the garden hose on
top of the Closed battery while scrubbing with a disposable
brush will neutralize the acid quickly and safely.

As always, wear "work clothes" and protective eyewear
when working on car batteries.

--Winston

Wild_Bill wrote:
The soda paste won't do much harm to a side-terminal battery, though.

Drizzling chocolate syrup over the top of a side-terminal
battery won't do it much harm, either.

It has far less possibility of ruining the battery than
does soda paste, yet I don't see a lot of people turning
their battery into a sundae, with or without whipped cream.


Back when engine crankcases were vented (breather caps) into the engine compartment/atmosphere, batteries in cars with
high mileage would generally get covered with an accumulation of crud, so perodic cleaning of the tops of the cases was
generally required since the accumulation could present a conductive path for discharging.

Many folks apply grease or those treated felt washers to the top-post type batteries, but I just prefer to keep them
clean.. an occasional brushing with a terminal cleaner can prevent unexpected problems.

You're right about taking personal protection precautions any time battery maintenance/service is performed.
I think anyone who's done their own car work/service has been surprised at finding holes in their freshly laundered
clothes, which weren't there before.

I always like to get the baking soda before starting, just in case, and an ample supply of fresh water should be a
standard practice.

Yup. Fresh water is highly underrated.

--Winston