Battery Discussion

[CADplans]

Batteries!!
The discussion continues!!
I recently found how a DEKA 420 CCA started my 1872 better than a 185 CCA.

Way better!!

But, the one thing no one has mentioned is the importance of charging the battery at least every 2 months.

Longer periods without charging causes degradation of the battery.

?? Plate sulfating, plate warping etc.. ??

The short battery life discussed frequently would be minimalized if more 1-2 amp chargers were used every 2 months.

[krhoover]

Just thought I'd throw this out there. I was talking with a guy at work about batterys today. He said when his batterys start to get weak, he puts a TBL spoon of epson salt down each hole and puts it on the charger. Says it cleans the plates off and batterys get weak cause of the buildup on the plates short them out. I have a n Interstate battery in that 1450 that has caps on it, so they must be available.

[ol'George]

Forget the epsom salts snake oil,use it for soaking sore feet,
not in a battery

[CADplans]

I wouldn't doubt the epsom salts. Epsom salts is a sulfate, possibly able to disrupt the sulfation on the plates of the battery.

I have seen weirder things!!

[ol'George]

Originally Posted by CADplans

I wouldn't doubt the epsom salts. Epsom salts is a sulfate, possibly able to disrupt the sulfation on the plates of the battery.

I have seen weirder things!!

Since the 1950s chemical additives have been used to reduce lead sulfate build up on plates and improve battery condition when added to the electrolyte of a vented lead–acid battery. Such treatments are rarely, if ever, effective.

Two compounds used for such purposes are Epsom salts and EDTA. Epsom salts reduces the internal resistance in a weak or damaged battery and may allow a small amount of extended life. EDTA can be used to dissolve the sulfate deposits of heavily discharged plates. However, the dissolved material is then no longer available to participate in the normal charge/discharge cycle, so a battery temporarily revived with EDTA should not be expected to have normal life expectancy. Residual EDTA in the lead–acid cell forms organic acids which will accelerate corrosion of the lead plates and internal connectors.

Active material changes physical form during discharge, resulting in plate growth, distortion of the active material, and shedding of active material. Once the active material has fallen out of the plates, it cannot be restored into position by any chemical treatment. Similarly, internal physical problems such as cracked plates, corroded connectors, or damaged separators cannot be restored chemically

[125 cubowner]

Originally Posted by ol'George

Since the 1950s chemical additives have been used to reduce lead sulfate build up on plates and improve battery condition when added to the electrolyte of a vented lead–acid battery. Such treatments are rarely, if ever, effective.

Two compounds used for such purposes are Epsom salts and EDTA. Epsom salts reduces the internal resistance in a weak or damaged battery and may allow a small amount of extended life. EDTA can be used to dissolve the sulfate deposits of heavily discharged plates. However, the dissolved material is then no longer available to participate in the normal charge/discharge cycle, so a battery temporarily revived with EDTA should not be expected to have normal life expectancy. Residual EDTA in the lead–acid cell forms organic acids which will accelerate corrosion of the lead plates and internal connectors.

Active material changes physical form during discharge, resulting in plate growth, distortion of the active material, and shedding of active material. Once the active material has fallen out of the plates, it cannot be restored into position by any chemical treatment. Similarly, internal physical problems such as cracked plates, corroded connectors, or damaged separators cannot be restored chemically

I agree I am still learning but I work for Deka as a Motive power service tech and have been to our plant in PA and we are the only manufacturer to do what is call tank formed plates which means we form the positive and negative plates of a battery in big tanks then we can see which plates do not take, because of this our batteries has less failure rates than any other manufacturer but in turn cost a little more.The worst thing to do to a battery is let it sit for an extended period of time the plates sulfate and once sulfated you can not really bring them back.

[Oak]

Deka is my battery of choice. I also keep 3 tenders rotating around the garage keeping them up. My Kubota B7500 came with a Yuasa battery (never heard of them) that lasted 10 years parked in an unconditioned shed and was never charged. It finally died last year and now has an Interstate in it because I couldn't find them anywhere.

[125 cubowner]

The thing that has suprised me is there are some many companys that sell our batteries but we put their name on them but if you look close you sometimes will see EPM manufacturing. which is us Deka

[krhoover]

125 cubowner, is your Deka plant in PA in Dubois?

[125 cubowner]

Lyon Station Pa. is the main plant