Batteries that are deep cycles may not last as long as they should. If they aren’t reconditioned regularly, they are not going to give you a longer life span. But don’t worry, the performance and efficiency of batteries can be improved by reconditioning the batteries after every single year. In the absence of reconditioning, they may cease to work or even die. This article will explain how to do Deep Cycle Battery Reconditioning in the best possible way to prevent such a thing from happening.
All batteries eventually go flat, and our vehicles or equipment will no longer be able to be powered by them. One of the easiest solutions is to buy a new unit and get rid of the old one. It is, however, a very costly process. A reconditioned battery is better than a new one because it doesn’t cost as much. The result is that you save money.
What is a Deep Cycle Battery?
People who aren’t familiar with deeper-cycle batteries may mistake them for car batteries, but deep-cycle batteries are, in fact, quite different. The manufacturer of deep cycle batteries designs the batteries for long-term performance. They can be recharged at 80% or more until they are completely discharged. Despite their ability to be discharged to 80%, deep cycle batteries are usually recommended not to be discharged lower than 45%. While other batteries provide quick bursts of power, deep cycle batteries provide sustained energy. Typically, a starter battery loses about two to five percent of its charge every time it is used.
Types of Deep Cycle Batteries
Additionally, deep cycle batteries come in a few different types. Batteries work the same way, but the materials they are built with differ. There are different types of Deep Cycle Batteries and some of them are given below:
- Flooded Lead-Acid
- Gel and AGM orValve Regulated Lead-Acid (VRLS)
- Lithium-Ion
Step by Step Guide to Deep Cycle Battery Reconditioning
Several tools and household products will be needed for reconditioning a deep cycle battery. Gather your equipment before beginning the process. This checklist will help:
- Safety Goggles
- Safety Gloves
- A Flat ScrewDriver
- A Funnel
- Epsom Salt
- Baking Soda
- Battery Charger
- Dead Battery
- Distilled Water
Step No 1: Test your dead battery’s charge using a load tester ( we recommend this load tester ). Battery amperes are measured with this device. This will yield a poor result, but it will indicate the battery’s condition.
The battery must produce a high charge to start your vehicle (for example, an RV). Cold-cranking amps is the term used to describe this process. Load testers are good to go if the dial is in the green area beside the ‘OK’ sign. A condition in the red zone requires reconditioning.
Step No 2: To get rid of dirt or debris on the battery, dry the terminals and the surface with a tissue or a cloth. You will probably see a white powder on the surface of an old battery due to corrosion. Wear safety goggles and gloves before starting the reconditioning process. If baking powder and water are mixed together, you can make an instant cleaning agent.
Step No 3: You can loosen the battery caps by twisting them. A flat screwdriver may be necessary, depending on the model.
Step No 4: You will have to remove acid from the battery. As you know, it will burn if it gets on your skin or clothes.
Step No 5: Dispose of the acid safely from the environment.
Step No 6: Distilled water and baking soda should be mixed together. The amount of baking soda to add to each gallon of water is 10 ounces. To ensure the baking soda is dissolved, you should do this in small portions. Known for its effectiveness in all types of cleaning processes, this is a strong cleaning agent. Cellulose is an important component of battery cells.
Step No 7: The baking soda and water solution should be poured into all the cells of the battery. Use a funnel to do this. If possible, shake the battery for approximately 30 seconds once the cells are filled. Get rid of the solution by removing the caps.
Step No 8: To distill water, add Epsom salt. Add salt to the distilled water after it has been heated to make it easier for it to dissolve. Each gallon of water must contain Epsom salt. Just as with the baking soda and water solution, this solution also must be prepared in small quantities.
Step No 9: All of the battery’s cells should be filled with the solution.
Step No 10: Dead batteries can be recharged for up to 24 hours with a battery charger. Occasionally, the heat produced by the battery can cause the liquid to overflow while charging.
Step No 11: Check your battery again after 24 hours. The battery’s power should increase if the process is successful.
If you want to take things one step further, you can position the charger in trickle mode for 24 additional hours. Despite being vulnerable to overflowing again, the Epsom salt and water solution remains.
If necessary, you should clean the cells of your battery after removing it from the charger. Make sure you put on your safety equipment again afterward. You should see better results after taking another reading. You should also check the amps of the battery with a load tester.
Step No 12: Charge your battery up to its full capacity after draining it down to about 10 volts and then charging it fully again. That is known as cyclic charging.
Step No 13: Some of the solutions may overflow even if the battery is fully charged. Ensure you are wearing safety gear and wipe off any overflowing liquid. Verify the voltage and amps.
Battery refurbishment is the process of restoring an item’s original performance and utility. So with this method, your Deep Cycle Battery Reconditioning process is going to be a lot easier and you can do it at your home.
Some other Deep Cycle Battery Reconditioning Methods
Recharging and Discharging
In addition, you can use this method if you still have sufficient capacity but not 100%, regardless of the battery’s quality.
You can make your old battery feel like a new one by fully discharging it and then fully recharging it. Battery reconditioning with this method is one of the most common methods. A lot of mobile phone batteries and automobile batteries can be restored using this method, in addition to deep cycle batteries. You will get the best results you have ever seen after discharging and recharging a few times over a few days.
So what are you waiting for? Just go and try it. Moreover, don’t forget to tell us about the results in the comment section too.
Don’t Deplete the Battery Fully
If you are looking to recondition your battery, do not fully discharge it unless you are going to completely charge it again after heavily discharging it. It may harm the battery if you continuously use the battery without realizing it. You should leave at least 25% of your deep cycle battery unused despite knowing that they are for continuous use. Battery life becomes shortened if you use it continuously, without taking a break, on a regular basis.
Shoot with High Voltage
As a result of sulfate oxides or ions building upon the cells or plates of deep cycle batteries, they typically fail. Compounds such as sulfate prevent the battery cells from exchanging ions and working as they act like corrosion.
In order to revive your battery, you need to remove these layers. Charge the battery at a very high voltage in order to achieve this. You should use a 15V or 17V charger to charge a 12V battery. As a result, the sulfides may melt, and the battery may get new life.
How To Recondition Old Batteries with Desulfator
There are a few ways to recondition old batteries. Using a desulfator is one method. Batteries are restored to their original state by a battery desulfator by removing sulfur from battery plates with the pulsed current. The battery rejuvenator can regenerate the battery by generating a high-frequency AC signal. The breakdown of lead sulfate deposits that build upon the plates increases the battery’s charge-discharge cycle. Battery Rejuvenation Techniques restore capacity to corroded batteries by boiling Epsom salt and pouring it over the cells. These techniques help disperse lead sulfate deposits, improving battery performance.
Immediately before using or charging the battery again, you should fully charge it and discharge it a few times. A full charge of the battery may also take a while. You might be better off buying a new battery if you need it now. You might be able to save money in the long run by reconditioning an old battery.
Wrapping Up
Although a battery may be restored, its voltage may not be the same as it was before. For example, if the voltage of your battery is 12V, after restoration, it may drop to 11V or lower. It is not possible to restore the voltage of deep cycle batteries.
In addition, a 12V battery below 10V should not be used and should be recycled instead. A battery below 10V cannot operate properly and is useless. Several users have been able to benefit from battery reconditioning and restoring, and their lives have been changed. In addition to reconditioning your battery, feel free to buy a new one. Keep in mind that not all batteries in the world will respond similarly to these methods. You should purchase a new battery if you couldn’t restore the one that was 5 years old. After reading this article about Deep Cycle Battery Reconditioning, I hope that you are able to give life to your old dead Deep Cycle Battery easily.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Bring Back the Life of Deep Cycle Battery?
Answer: Battery chargers should be slowly charged for 24 hours. It is not necessary to replace the battery lids as a result of the hot solution spilling during charging. If the voltage is still low after 24 hours, check the battery again. It should be able to improve its performance with time.
How long should battery recondition take?
Answer: It takes an average battery of 24 hours to 36 hours to be recharged after reconditioning. It can take up to one and a half to two days to recondition a car battery, including the charging time.
Can we Desulfate a deep cycle battery?
Answer: It is simply a matter of cleaning the battery plates of sulfation. Sulfation can occur on the plates of a deep cycle battery over time. Therefore, the battery becomes ineffective and dies. It may not be possible to remove the battery due to sulfation in extreme cases.
Can a battery charger recondition a battery?
Answer: A smart battery has a microprocessor that monitors and provides the correct voltage and current. Chargers protect batteries from overcharging. The charger can also restore battery health.
