HEXA

ELECTRICAL

FACTORS AFFECTING BATTERY LIFE:

The reasons that most batteries fail prematurely

are related to one or more of the following:

1.Improper charging

2.Lack of water

3.Installation

4.Operational issues

NOTE

The user has control over most of the conditions

that lead to premature failure.

1. IMPROPER CHARGING:



Over charging

Charging a battery greatly in excess of what is

required is harmful in several ways.



Under charging



A battery operated with insufficient charge

over a long period of time may develop a type

of sulphate in the plates which is dense, hard

and crystalline and which cannot be electro-

chemically converted to normal active material

again.



A battery operated in an undercharged condi-

tion is unable to deliver the full power

intended for it. Constant undercharge results

in Sulphation of plates and a running down of

cells. This also causes lead sulphate deposits

on separators which create a short circuit be-

tween positive and negative plates.



Leaving Battery Idle

Causes the battery to run down due to self-

discharge. The lead sulphate crystals formed as a

result of self-discharge grow as the battery stands

idle and are not easily converted back on re-

charge. The Sulphation in other words tends to

become permanent thus affecting battery capacity

and lowering battery life.



High Specific gravity

It is destructive for both positive and negative

plates to separator and shortens battery life.

2. LACK OF WATER



Impure topping –up water



Impure water or electrolyte introduces impuri-

ties into the battery, which accumulate with

each such topping – up.



The most common impurities are iron and chlo-

rine, which attack plates and shorten overall

life.



This will result in higher water loss and prema-

ture failure.



Neglecting topping-up

De-mineralized water (

) or distilled water is one

of the four essential chemicals of a lead acid bat-

tery and under normal conditions of operation the

only component of the battery, which is lost as the

result of charging. It should be replaced as soon as

the liquid level falls to the top of the separator. If

water is not replaced plates will soon be exposed

and the acid will reach a dangerously high concen-

tration that may oxidize the separator. It further can

permanently impair the performance of the plates.

Plates cannot play full part in the battery reactions

unless they are completely covered by the electro-

lyte. Acid should not be added to cells.

3. INSTALLATION:



Loose Hold –downs

Container damages arise from gross mishandling

or dropping batteries, from hold-downs either over

tightened or extremely loose. This may physically

damage the plates and separators in cells or cause

leakage of electrolyte so that the battery becomes

unserviceable.



Excessive loads

A battery should never be used to propel the car

by the use of the starter motor with clutch engaged

except in a great emergency. This may produce

extremely high internal battery temperature and

may also damage the starter motor.

4. OPERATIONAL PROBLEMS



Discharge without recharge

A fully discharged or near fully discharged cell will

be damaged and possibly ruined if not recharged

within 24 to 48 hours. As a battery discharges, the

electrolyte starts changing from an acid solution to

almost pure water. Lead dissolves in water and

some of the plate material mixes with water to form

lead hydrate. Lead hydrate causes the plate sur-

faces to turn white and, because it is conductive it

forms a short circuit between the plates rendering

the battery permanently damaged.



Over discharge

Over discharge causes abnormal expansions of

the active materials in the plates which leads to

permanent damage and also recharge problems.