How To Recondition a Car Battery and Other Batteries: Ultimate Guide

How To Recondition a Car Battery and Other Batteries: Ultimate Guide

People often think that a dead battery should be discarded and pay huge bucks to buy a brand new one. While this is one option to retrieve a fully functional battery, it is not the only way. One can also recondition the batteries, i.e. restoring back the battery back to its initial condition and save money.  With some effort, you can get a 100% functional battery, and the following post is your step-to-step guide to recondition batteries.

Reconditioning old batteries is quite easy and anyone can learn to do it. All you need is time and some devices to recover a fully functional battery. Not only it saves your money, but you also save your mother planet by not polluting it. Your old battery will look as new as newly bought one, and you can also make off some money by selling them!

So we basically compiled a comprehensive battery conditioning article that’ll lead you to reconditioning any type of battery.

Before beginning, if haven’t already, considering getting yourself a handy OBD scanner which allows you to connect to car after battery reconditioning, and instantly detect any faults within the OBD software.

Bon Voyage!

How to recondition old batteries

Get starting with old battery reconditioning by watching the video…

With more people participating in an endeavor to protect earth and reduce pollution by using power batteries based on renewable energy resources, it is important to maintain and recondition batteries to maximize capacity and reduce energy loss. Batteries have a certain life span and as they cross the mark, there is a distinct loss in capacity to hold a charge.

The impact of old batteries on environment is around 50%, and imagine how healthier the planet will stay if everyone has this useful trick up his sleeves! Not only you stay green if you learn how to recondition your batteries, saving money and time resource are added bonuses!

But before we shall continue, it is important to know the differences between reconditioning and recharging. Reconditioning a battery means restoring battery back to its full capacity (it is as good as new!) while recharging simply means putting in charge for a period.

How to recondition batteries depend a lot on what kind of battery it is. For example, it can be Lead acid, or simple Li-ion battery. Correct knowledge of chemicals and proper handling is necessary for safe reconditioning of batteries.

Often it is the old car batteries with highest demand for reconditioning, however, you also have house batteries for nearly free from scrap factories which can work for reconditioning as well. If you want to reduce energy for long time, you should learn how to recondition a battery! In addition, you might do good volunteering or side job of reconditioning batteries.

Reasons why you should learn Reconditioning batteries

  1. With an increased demand and supply for batteries in professional and personal front, reconditioning battery is one skill that would never go waste. Why not learn it when it serves our purpose to earn extra bucks and make our planet habitable. In case you are worried about your safety, be at ease. If the technique is properly learnt, it is quite safe.
  2. You practically get your old/dead batteries for free! You see, safe disposal is top priority, and many seemingly dead batteries are getting prepared for a new life, and you can help them ease the passage.

    old-battery-reconditioning
  3. Batteries cost a fortune, and you are saving a hefty sum if you simply recondition it instead of buying another one.
  4. If you want to go green and save environment while working on renewable energy resources, this is a good opportunity. Not only you learn a skill that will be highly coveted in future, but you can also earn some extra cash for other pursuits.

How to recondition your Dead car batteries

What do you plan to do with your dead car batteries? Just dump the old one and buy a brand new, costing you thousands of bucks when you can simply recondition it in range of hundreds? By the end of this section, you shall n=know how to recondition an old battery and make it nearly shiny new!

Usually, the 12 V car battery are Lead acid based with Lead terminals and Sulphuric acid as the electrolyte for the battery construction. We know about two types of car batteries-Flooded cell  (Wet cell) and Sealed cell (Dry cell).

what are flooded and sealed cells?

Flooded cells have detachable caps for each cell where distilled water is filled up to the working level. Although it lasts for about 4-5 years, it is quite sensitive and requires constant maintenance (every four months or so) to check and maintain water levels in the cell. It is the older version among two.

Sealed cells, on the other hand are the newer version of the cells that can last for about two years without maintenance. After that, it is not serviceable.

If you have Magnesium sulfate (commonly known as Epsom salt) with you can easily recondition a car battery.

Following steps should be followed to recondition a car battery:

  1. First step is to check the battery voltage and ensure it to be less than 12 V. This shows that it is already dead.

    recondition-dead-car-batteries-1
  2. Heat about half a liter of distilled water to about 333K-348K (about 30 K below the boiling point of the water)

    recondition-dead-car-batteries-2
  3. Now, mix about a quarter of Epsom Salt in heated distilled water and stir it until the salt dissolves.

    recondition-dead-car-batteries-3
  4. For two different types of cells, this step involves different procedures.For flooded cells, you need to remove the battery cell cap.For dry cells, please drill through the sealed cap.For both the cells, pour out the old electrolyte.recondition-dead-car-batteries-4
  1. Insert the new electrolyte into the cell with the help of a funnel. (mainly Epsom salt + water)
  2. Next, for a flooded cell, replace the battery cap. For a sealed cell battery, plug the hole in this step.recondition-dead-car-batteries-6
  3. Keep in mind that you have to keep electrolyte properly distributed with no hint of air bubbles inside the cell.
  4. Finally, charge it slowly by keeping it on trickle charge overnight and then let it cool. By morning, you have a reformed cell in your hand that performs as good as new!

You can obtain the battery charger at any workshop where you can borrow or buy it. Although it costs as much as a new battery, it is good for long-term applications.

How to recondition a hybrid car battery

One of the best cars on the earth, hybrid cars has two main components to consider-an electric motor and the battery. The battery generally lasts up to 200,000 miles. Although it usually lasts longer than warranty period, the old battery eventually goes stale, and each new battery costs around 3000$.

Below are the steps outlined for reconditioning a car hybrid battery:

  1. One thing to remember: all batteries contain modules, and although the quantity may vary, the core principle stays intact. The factories simply replace modules and sell them as brand new! And that’s where you play your part. It takes around 700$ to fi x damaged module, and your battery’s life is extended for another 6-7 years. You should also note that a reconditioned battery has output 70% of the brand new battery output, which is more than enough.
  2. First remove the battery followed by rubber which protects the caps. Remove all the caps of the battery. Don’t keep any cap on.

    hybrid-car-battery-recondition-how-to-1
  3. Don’t put the caps back. Charge the battery for about an hour, and you will see the bubbles on the holes. However, if there are no bubbles, reverse the positive and negative wires. Wait for about 2-3 minutes. You can now see the bubbles. Revert the wires back to the original position and recharge the battery for additional half an hour.

    hybrid-car-battery-recondition-how-to-2
  4. If required, you can also replace the acid inside the battery while mixing new acid with distilled water. Later on, recharge the battery for a few hours, and you get a battery which lasts for a long time.

For more information, you can watch the following video here: http://batteryaz.com/BatteryRecondition

 

How to recondition motorcyle battery

The most common batteries used in cars, motorcycles, marine machines, equipment etc. are Lead acid batteries. Once discarded, Lead acid batteries are quite poisonous for the groundwater and soil as it makes surrounding water and soil acidic. Let us make a small digression towards Lead acid batteries.

Lead acid batteries

Lead acid batteries are one of the oldest rechargeable batteries since 1800s. How do they work? The principle is based on production of electricity by a chemical reaction. The Sulfuric acid in the electrolyte reacts with the Lead oxide (PbO) and Lead (Pb) to form lead sulfate (PbSO4) which is the main culprit behind wearing out of batteries over years. Lead sulfate crystallizes and the battery stops recharging. When the layers of sulfate are deposited, the battery might permanently stop. How do we bring dead batteries back? By desulfation! The reversal of sulfation allows us to extend battery life.

Desulfation is quite a tedious and time-consuming process, but worth every second given its effectiveness. Desulfation is not as complex as it is made out to be. Firstly, you should remove the Lead sulfate build up. Next, clean the deposits with the help of Magnesium Sulfate or Epsom Salt. With Epsom Salt, distilled water and a regular Lead acid battery charger, you are ready! But for safety purposes, please ensure to put on protective gloves and eyewear.

Steps to follow:

  1. Take some clean and dry Epsom Salt into a dry cup. For an averaged sized battery, measure about 10 tablespoons of Epsom Salt.

    recondition-motorcycle-battery-1
  2. The distilled water should be heated up to temperature around boiling point. Add distilled water to Epsom salt to forma thick liquid and stir it properly to dissolve Epsom Salt well.

    recondition-motorcycle-battery-2
  3. Pour the mixture of distilled water and Epsom salt into every battery cell battery as much as possible.

    recondition-motorcycle-battery-3
  4. Plug in your charger after having the battery covered and set the charger for High Amps (high current). It is advisable not to use smart charger for more readable meter. Meter only shows two possibilities-“zero” or “charged”. Depending on the extent of sulfation, the entire process might take some time. Next, switch it over to low current and keep it charging until it is full.

    recondition-motorcycle-battery-4
  5. Once the battery is fully charged, discharge it and charge it again. The current should be low this time. Charging on low current enables the Epsom Salt to break sown the lead sulfate deposits on the battery. When you charge it on the second try, it is finally ready to soar! You can repeat the desulfation process for maximum five times on any battery which can extend its lifespan by years.

    recondition-motorcycle-battery-5

That’s all for reconditioning a dead Lead acid battery commonly used in motorbikes and cars. Now put this Holy Grail in effect for higher purpose!

For more information and guidance, see this video:

Reconditioning golf cart batteries

If you are a golf cart owner, this section is definitely for you. It will save you a lot of money if you know how to recondition a golf cart battery. The process is easy to master, and with regular checks on battery, we find when to recondition for prolonged life.

For example, if you check the pace at which cart is accelerating or decelerating, it will give you an idea if it’s time in case any of the functions become abnormal. In addition, you may notice any erratic behavior while charging which gives away its state. Note the time taken for complete recharge and frequency. Is it too much?

So, let’s take a look at the battery from an expert’s perspective easily learnt at home. First of all, inspect every component of the battery as a part of routine. Start with rods. Rods play an important role in functioning of golf cart batteries and play a major role in electron processes. The sulfur deposits on rods are harmful for its functioning and delay its charging rate. Sulfur deposits are responsible for under capacity working in most of the golf cart batteries.

Be careful when you treat the battery cells. The deposits have to dissolved from the battery rods, and it’s not easy. Distilled water can enhance the procedure. You should use a mixture of Epsom Salt and distilled water for above.

Next, do a function check. Are there any signs of corrosion? This negative reaction is unavoidable given the nature of chemicals present in batteries. However, one can always apply a protective layer to avoid battery leak (in case it eats away the case). If you scrub the terminals with Sodium Bicarbonated scrubbing tool, it can remove the corrosion away. Next, you should look for battery voltage. Low battery voltage is a red flag one should heed to condition your battery before it shuts down in middle of something important.

 

HOW TO RECONDITION OTHER TYPES OF BATTERIES:

Reconditioning your laptop battery

A new laptop battery costs something around 100$, and finding out a new battery turns out to be pricey venture. In the following section, you shall learn how to replace laptop battery in four easy ways. But before that, we shall make a small digression on different types of batteries laptops use for better understanding.

Laptops come with various batteries. The most common batteries are noted below:-

  1. Lithium Ion (Li-Ion battery);
  2. Nickel-Cadmium (Ni-Cd battery);
  3. Nickel-Metal Hydride (NiMH)

Li Ion Battery

What is a Li Ion battery? Li ion batteries are mostly used in cell phones, laptops, surgical devices etc. It uses Graphite rods as Cathode and Lithium Oxide as anode. What causes it to age? The battery works on the principle of movement of two electrodes. However, with time, elevated temperature and prolonged cycling, the performance reduces over time.

A normal Li ion battery delivers 100% of the promised capacity for first year. However, it reduces considerably in following years. The depth of discharge determines lifetime of a battery. Li-ion batteries face stress from exposure to high temperature and high current.

recondition-laptop-battery-1

Following are the steps you should follow to prolong a Li Ion battery:

  1. Not only cycling, but environmental conditions also determine the lifespan of a Li-ion battery. If you keep fully charged battery at higher temperatures for prolonged times, it reduces the runtime considerably.
  2. So firstly, one should lower charge voltages. This is mostly done in case of satellites and electric vehicles.
  3. You can keep your device at “Long-life” mode. Also, remove the plug if you are it using laptop.
  4. Remember to keep airflow unobstructed. A cool battery extends the laptop battery ife while safeguarding the hardware.
  5. Also avoid “ultra-fast” chargers.

 

Ni-Cd and Ni metal hydride batteries

The reconditioning works for Ni-Cd and Ni metal hydride (NiMH) batteries. There are four steps to recondition a battery:

  1. Recalibration: if the laptop battery is not lasting as long as it should, then it is perhaps time to recalibrate it. How do you know when you need it? If the laptop battery fails to charge up to 100 %, or if OS indicates 40 minutes of power remaining, but laptop is dead before you know 38 minutes, it’s time to recalibrate it. Following are step to step manual to recalibrate it.

    recondition-laptop-battery-2
    Step 1: First, the laptop battery is charged to its maximum percentage.Step 2: Next, unplug the laptop from power source and deactivate your screensaver/sleep mode/hibernation mode in order to make it discharge faster. You need to ensure that the battery is discharged fully and laptop is running solely on battery. Use your battery until the power is shut off.Step 3: As the power shut off, allow the laptop to remain so for about 4-5 hours.Step 4: Attach your laptop back to the power source and charge it to full. Now your laptop should give you the correct readings of the actual battery capacity. After the laptop is powered back, reset your power management settings as they were before. Please ensure that it is properly calibrated.
  1. Cooling the laptop: This is especially useful for Lithium ion batteries that you cannot recondition by changing the electrolyte or removing any residue. You can buy a cooling pad in case the laptop gets too hot. Especially during summer, cooling pad is quite necessary. Keep the laptop air conditioned to maintain the temperature.recondition-laptop-battery-3
  2. Unplug at full charge: let the laptop battery charge up to 100 percent and then immediately plug it off. This is not effective for new Li ion batteries. For new batteries, you can first charge them up to 40-45%, then again up to 80-85%.recondition-laptop-battery-4
  3. When the laptop is plugged in, remove the battery: if none of the other methods work, you can always try removing the battery (if the battery is removable) while the laptop is connected to the power source. The chemical reactions shall continue despite its presence or absence in device. This step recalibrates laptop’s battery while extending its lifespan as an added bonus. However, keep in mind this step should only be done when the the menace of power outages are not present at your home/office.recondition-laptop-battery-5
  4. Finally, advice for truly old batteries: if your battery is too old or you find broken parts inside your battery, a refurbished or new battery would be a better option.

 

There are other solutions in the market as well. Some of them are as follows:

  1. Solution I: Watch this video and learn how to recondition a laptop battery.
  1. Solution II: Another way is to plug in the battery and then charge it up to 100%, and the again discharge it to drop up to 5%. Repeat the process several times in a row, and then you get a reconditioned battery at the end of the day. Although it is time talking, it is worth a try.
    recondition-laptop-battery-7
  2. Solution III: Although this method is a bit weird, you can always try. Remove the battery from the device and keep it in a plastic bag. Next, put the plastic bag in a freezer and wait for about half a day. Remove the battery from the bag and clean it properly after twelve hours are over. Place it back in a laptop and fully recharge it.recondition-laptop-battery-8

 

 

 

Reconditioning Ni Cd batteries

Again, like Lead acid batteries, the sulfate crystals actually prevent from charging as they block the terminals. These are easily remedied.

Steps to follow to recondition Nickel Cadmium Batteries:

  1. For this, we need a flash camera capacitor. A number of cheap cameras have parts which can be disassembled and their parts used.

    recondition-ni-cd-batteries-1
  2. Add a switch and battery holder to the capacitor. Stick the wires to the capacitor, connect them with battery holder, and switch.
  3. Keep in mind to have wires insulated and try not to touch wires or any device carrying capacity.
  4. Not put the alkaline battery into the capacitor and Nickel Cadmium battery into the battery holder.
  5. Switch it on and wait for LED to light up. Do the above steps repeatedly. If you hear a sound, you know you are in clear and Sufate crystals are being destroyed in the process.
  6. Although this looks complicated, the steps are easy to follow once you have assembled all the gadgets or components, and you get a reconditioned Ni-Cd battery!

    recondition-ni-cd-batteries-6

How to recondition device batteries at home

Whether we have brought devices over Craigslist or market, we all must have noticed at least once a glaring trend over years. The battery life of devices reduce over time, unable to store electrons as much as it used to after repeated cycles of recharge and discharge.

This is exactly the reason why your cell phone or laptop purchased five years back now runs for less than half time compared to its initial output. It also explains why an upgrade in electronics boosts battery life a lot more than initially perceived by initial promise.

Our promise is simple. We will teach you methods and tips to recondition your battery, which not only will save your time and money in the long run, but also the extra hassle coming along with it. So here are few tips to keep in mind to not only renew its flaming beauty, but also reverse back its aging and vitality.

  1. Recharge properly: If you are among the people who think to fully discharge your battery to near 10% before plugging it back, or immediately deplug it after it touches 100%, think again. Most of the phones contain inbuilt smart chargers, which cut off charging after it is full. However, research has shown that you should not let charge fall beneath 70% . In fact, the battery life gets extended if you recharge it at or above 70%. So if you want your device battery ticking longer, plug it in before it reaches 70% mark.recondition-device-batteries-1
  2. Delete useless programs and apps: We all know some programs and apps kill battery lot faster than others. For example, Photoshop and video games destroy batteries than programs like Notepad and Safari etc. Often there are some programs that run in background which are not even that useful but still kills the battery. Please delete or uninstall those programs. Or you can also check activity monitor to see which app or program is using maximum battery and discard it if unnecessary.recondition-device-batteries-2
  3. Recalibrate your device battery: Often batteries give a wrong impression about the battery life or app usage (odd actually, but the apps often work against each other or support, which messes up with battery readings or predictions). In order to retrieve true battery percentage, you can apply a simple trick. Discharge the battery completely up to zero and further keep it discharged for another 24 hours to fully drain it. Next, recharge it back to hundred percent and you het the correct readings!recondition-device-batteries-3
  4. Reset device settings: Another alternative to step/tip (3) is to reset or your desktop/laptop/mobile setting completely to factory settings. This will recalibrate the device. Not only it refreshes the device, it also comes with the added benefit of deleting any malware/virus/Trojan/worm/spyware which may be draining your device.recondition-device-batteries-4
  5. How to recondition battery at home: if all the above fails, of course you have an option to recondition your battery at home. It is a lot easier than what is feared. A lead acid battery is a bit tricky, but laptops and cell phones mostly use Li ion batteries. Reconditioning a Li ion battery is as easy as simple recalibration! Continuous recalibrations over years make the Li ion battery as good as new and vastly improve battery life and performance. If the laptop or mobile is virus infested, it is recommended to follow step (4) before (3).

 

Below is the complete kit of reconditioning all types of batteries in marketplace:

  1. Multimeter:
  2. Charger
  3. Resistor
  4. Copper
  5. Paper cutter
  6. Sandpaper
  7. Auto bulbs
  8. Cyanoacrylate adhesive
  9. Portable power banks
  10. Jump start kit
  11. Distilled water
  12. Goggles
  13. Awl
  14. Syringe
  15. Resins
  16. Gloves

Let’s take an overview of each items and how and where they are used:

1. Multimeter:

1-multimeter

Price:  starts from 2.73$ onwards

Where it is used: it is used to recondition any battery

Characteristics: it is nearly impossible to recondition without this. It has applications for various purposes, like repairing a simple appliance. Multimeter is used to check a battery, and gives an idea whether it needs to be reconditioned. It is also used for restoration to raise the level voltage up to the number we need.

How to choose properly: check for its accuracy before purchase. A good multimeter has error bar of 0.025-3%.

Alternative: A simple tester would do too, but it isn’t multifunctional.

 

2. Charger

2-charger

Price:  around 5$

Where it is used: cell phone batteries

Characteristics: For reconditioning, any charger would do. It is paired up with resistor so as to reduce voltage in case you fear for the safety of battery damaged by charger,. One can use old battery charger as well for reconditioning batteries. You can directly attach them by wires to the battery.

How to choose properly: it is always good to have a universal charger in case you need to use it with different devices.

Replacement: Any charger

 

3. Resistor

3-resistor

Price: starting from 0.01$

Where it is used: to recondition cell phone batteries

Description: A resistor offers resistance and thus limits/regulates flow of electric current in a circuit. For an active device (like transistor), it is used to provide a specific voltage. A resistor is used to recondition a cell phone battery. When do we require resistors?  As we restore a cell phone battery, it is connected to charger directly (contrast this with charging inside battery, the current goes through the controller). The voltage needs to be limited, otherwise the nattery might burn up due to too much current.

How to choose properly: Check the resistance before buying it. For reconditioning, you don’t need resistance any more than 300 Ohms.

Replacement: None

 

4. Copper

4-copper

Price: starting from $3.

Where it is used: to recondition laptop battery

Description: Cu is used to repair laptop battery for soldering auto bulbs for checking voltage.

How to choose properly: in order to work with Cu, one needs resin colophony with a solder bath.

Replacement: you can replace copper by many ways. A simple construction of a paperclip and lighter works as well.

 

5. Paper cutter

5-paper-cutter

Price:  starting from $4.

Where it is used: to recondition laptop battery

Description: it comes in handy in case you need to cut battery housing and take out internal elements. A simple knife with thin blade and handle would do as well.

How to choose properly: a practical handle with a think blade is preferable.

Replacement: A shaving razor blade would work too.

 

6. Sandpaper

6-sandpaper

Price: starting from $1.

Where it is used: to recondition car battery

Description: It is used to clean terminals before reconditioning a battery. A good sandpaper is essential for this task.

How to choose properly: A thin sandpaper is preferable

Replacement: A metal brush (again, not too harsh) is a fine replacement. One can also use a grinding sponge.

 

7. Auto bulbs

7-auto-bulbs

Price:  starting from $ 8.

Where it is used: to recondition laptop battery

Description: this indicates the presence of charge in a battery, so it’s a good diagnostic tool.

How to choose properly: Please ensure capacity of battery not to exceed any more than 21 W.

Replacement: Any lamp would be a fine alternative.

 

8. Cyanoacrylate adhesive

8-cyanoacrylate-adhesive

Price: starting from $4.

Where it is used: to recondition laptop battery

Description: as the name suggests, it is used to assemble parts of battery together after restoration is finished. Ordinary glue cannot be used due to high temperature and chemical reactions inside.

How to choose properly: Glue with little curing time is preferable.

Replacement: None

 

9. Portable power banks

9-portable-power-banks

Price:  about $ 40-$50

Where it is used: to recondition car battery

Description: the amperage is used to start your engine. Usually, about 150A is enough to kickstart an engine of about 2.5 L. it has other uses as well, for example, to charge mobile phone.

How to choose properly: try to buy one with bigger capacity.

Replacement: Cables can be used too.

 

10. Jump start kit.

10-jump-start-kit

Price:  about $9.

Where it is used: to recondition car battery

Description: you can start a car with the help of other car if your battery dies.

How to choose properly:  make sure output voltage not be any lower than 9V, and the wire section not to be any less than 16 sq. mm.

 

11. Distilled water

11-distilled-water

Price:  starting from about $9/gal.

Where it is used: to recondition car battery

Description: It is used to restore car capacity by filling up in the electrolyte section. Never put tap water inside a battery.

How to choose properly: No specific requirements.

Replacement: None

 

12. Goggles

12-goggles

Price:  starting from about $1.

Where it is used: to recondition car battery

Description: These are compulsory for your safety when you deal with Lead acid batteries. The acid in batteries are extremely painful and corrosive if it ever enters your eyes.

How to choose properly: A sound, durable and reliable goggles would protect from an unfortunate incident from occurring.

Replacement: none

 

13. Hydrometer

13-hydrometer

Price: $3-$15

Where it is used: to recondition car battery

Description: you have to check specific gravity of electrolyte continuously in a car battery with the help of hydrometer. It consists if a cylindrical stem made up of glass, with a bulb weighed with Hg to make it afloat.

How to choose properly: choose a hydrometer with wide range of accuracy and inbuilt thermometer (if you get)

Replacement: None

 

14. Awl

14-awl

Price:  Around $2.

Where it is used: to recondition consumer batteries

Description: you need to drill holes in consumer batteries for pouring liquid in them.

How to choose properly: A very thin Awl is required for AA batteries.

Replacement: You can also replace an AWL by thick and long sewing needle, anything which is sturdy and pointed.

 

15. Syringe

15-syringe

Price:  less than $1.

Where it is used: to recondition consumer batteries

Description: it is required to pour water through holes of battery during reconditioning.

How to choose properly: Any syringe is fine. Although a insulinic one hold edge over others as it is quite thin.

Replacement: None

 

16. Resins

16-resins

Price:  less than $10.

Where it is used: to recondition consumer batteries

Description: it is require to seal AA battery back after reconditioning.

How to choose:  make sure contact with alkaline is possible.

Replacement: Industrial clay offers good alternatives.

 

17. Gloves

17-gloves

Price: around $4-$5

Where it is used: to recondition car batteries

Description: it is used to protect your hands from acid as you work with Lead acid batteries

How to choose properly: keep gloves on for protection.

Replacement: none

 

In this article, we have learnt how to recondition different types of batteries.

Try these out at home and contribute to world’s greenery in addition to being a little richer than before!

 

References:

  1. http://www.batteryreconditioningtips.com/types-lead-acid-batteries/
  2. https://www.extendbatterylife.net/reconditioning-batteries/
  3. https://www.extendbatterylife.net/how-to-recondition-batteries/
  4. https://thebatterystation.com/batteries-recondition-kit.html
  5. http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/how_to_prolong_lithium_based_batteries
  6. https://thebatterystation.com/
How To Recondition a Car Battery and Other Batteries: Ultimate Guide
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25 Responses to How To Recondition a Car Battery and Other Batteries: Ultimate Guide

  1. If your battery is at the end of its life, it’s better to replace it. Over time the lead plates get consumed in the process of making elerctrickery.

    A lead acid battery that sits for a while unused, can get sulfide deposits on the plates which will affect its ability to work properly and take or produce a charge. AFAIK, the deposits ‘block’ the acid from the lead which stops the reaction.

    I had a relatively new battery in a car that died. The battery (and car) sat for a year, got sulfated and wouldn’t charge. I used a bottle of INOX Battery Conditioner which you can get at many auto shops for about $10. Charged up the battery and it’s still good. As I understand it, the INOX breaks down the sulfides and they go back into solution.

      • No. Unless you will be opening said battery, by making holes into the sealed ones and cleaning then refilling etc. Just replace maintenance free ones. Otherwise this is for capped cells that can be easily opened and topped off with distilled water etc

    • Good ol baking soda, after draining acid out of battery, use it to clean inside if cell area. Then refill with proper epsom salt and distilled water. Of course use correct amounts of both.

  2. Followed this article step by step! Successfully reconditioned the car battery. Just saying thanks for the article.

  3. Hi i found this article very interesting and after talking to my uncle about it he said that he had ordered a program that showed him how to recondition lots of different batteries.

  4. Hi,this is a great site. I just some times struggle to open it.Thanks for all the info it really is enlightening. Would appreciate it if I could log onto your website if possible.

    • Good Day,
      I love this article.
      I want to refurbish my car battery and got Battery Acid and distilled water.
      Can i use the battery acid’

      Regards and thank you.

  5. Good day
    I am from South Africa
    I would like to start a business selling reconditioned car batteries from home
    Is it possible to do
    Where can i buy the equipment and training manual if needed
    Thank you
    Regards
    Theo

  6. Now, mix about a quarter of Epsom Salt in heated distilled water and stir it until the salt dissolves.

    Can your pour the distilled water while it is hot.?

  7. Our battery reconditioning process is not invasive, does not use chemicals and is completely electronic. We use a frequency pulse to break down sulfate crystals that build up along the plates over time. Our process transforms these crystals back to active material allowing electrons to flow freely through the plates again. A reconditioned battery can last for more than two years and in many cases the process can be repeated.

    • What system is this. Would like to use on solar battery bank closed cell type

  8. Thank YOU for your great post on how to recondition old batteries, I think it is the most efficient way to recover old batteries instead of just buying new ones once one gets damaged.
    I personally am using the recondition methods instead of buying new ones, and find this video on the internet which I hope will helps somebody.

  9. It’s not clear to how to replace the cell when needed, video doesn’t show how to open the outer cover , assembling the new cell in it and fix back the cover

  10. Hi battery doctor, I bought a car battery 38Ah for my Nissan Cube and used for 7 months and there after parcked it after noticing a knockin sound. Later after 4 months, I have attended to the knocking sound but now the battery is not holding the charge. I have just noticed the battery acid is a little below the cells level. Do I need to just add distilled water or follow your dead battery reconditioning process, or if better still, drain the battery and refill with fresh battery acid? Please help and thank you most sincerely in advance.

  11. I didn’t realize that there were certain car batteries where they have distilled water that needs to be refilled every 4 months. Is this a common type of car battery? How would I know if this is what I have in my car, and how to maintain it?

  12. In this way you cannot recover bad cells. Every dead battery has a 01 or 02 bad cells.
    there are some other way to do. Learning of this as a profession would be worth. No need to charge discharge 05 times. it will damage the battery. The main thing is bad battery cant charged fully. As mentioned here !!!!. It will heat very high then you have to switch off the charger. I am professional battery regen. person. Cost would be very high as you can earned much as possible. Once you QC out your regen. battery you must give them a reliable warranty period. W do so. That the main difference. Thank you all of you for better understanding.

  13. In summary, the 12v car battery is however the most typical battery which folks wish to recondition.

    It’s requested the most and for obvious reasons, your vehicle is important and a new battery for it is costly.

    By reconditioning your car battery, you can save yourself a lot of money and also help the environment by basically recycling or refurbishing the battery.

  14. I want to start a bissunes using the old batteries can assist with tools etc.
    Apricate your respond.

    Regards.

  15. I’d live to down load or print this off for my use. Is there a way I can do this please ?

  16. One of best battery reconditioning guides written online. Thanks. It really does help. Kind of guide you’d buy in a book auto manual.

  17. Hi, Its a wounderful post.Thanks for your nice post. Do you know? Adding this extra step slowed the degradation of their test battery and increased its lifetime by nearly 30%.

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