How to solve the problem of a “dead” battery cheaply
- January 18, 2024
- 0
More and more Russian owners of premium used cars are faced with the need to replace “dying” gel batteries. This has led to more activities in replacing and
More and more Russian owners of premium used cars are faced with the need to replace “dying” gel batteries. This has led to more activities in replacing and repairing them. But is it worth messing with a resuscitated AGM battery?
To answer this question properly, you will have to delve a little deeper into the design of AGM batteries. The operating principle is no different from that of conventional automotive lead-acid batteries. There are also “pots” of electrolyte in which lead plates are immersed. The only difference is that with an AGM battery the electrolyte does not splash, but is converted into a gel with a special thickener. That’s the whole secret.
What causes lead batteries to die? Their plate electrodes can be destroyed. This problem is fatal for both regular and gel batteries. As well as the physical release of spongy coating from the same plates. With AGM devices, the gel prevents it from falling to the bottom of the “pot”, but this does not make it any easier. In both cases the battery refuses to even charge.
Another pest is sulphation of the plates, which causes poorly soluble lead sulphate to appear on them. This problem can be eliminated by organizing numerous charge-discharge cycles for the battery according to a specific algorithm. Thus, the energy storage device can be revived to a “solid four” state.
However, one of the most common reasons for gel batteries to fail is (oddly enough!) drying out. Naturally, they are sealed and made maintenance-free. But it is of course impossible to achieve ideal insulation of the contents of the “cans” from the atmosphere with economically sound measures.
And the moisture from the gel slowly disappears over the years. The plates turn out to be dry – the battery seems “dead”. It is easiest to revive such an AGM. You don’t even need any special equipment here. Remove the plastic cover from the battery to get to the necks of the “cans”, open them too, and then using an ordinary medical syringe, gradually inject distilled water into the dried gel mass. Restore the required moisture level in it. Then the battery is sealed in reverse order and – voila: you can put it up for sale.
In Europe, gel batteries have long become a widespread phenomenon. And now significant quantities of refurbished AGMs are supplied to Russia from there – in response to the demand that has arisen in our country.
A new battery of this type for a 10-15 year old BMW will cost 60,000-80,000 rubles. A similar reconditioned battery, which can easily work for several more years, can be purchased for 5,000-6,000 rubles. Feel the difference, as they say.
With this arrangement, the car owner obviously runs the risk of encountering a completely discharged AGM battery. And to minimize this, you should refuse to purchase a battery with a swollen case and check by ear that nothing dangles, rolls, rattles or spills inside the battery during shaking and turning. Well, without checking the condition of the battery with a load fork, you should not buy it. As for the rest, why not…
photo battlebornbatteries.com
To answer this question properly, you will have to delve a little deeper into the design of AGM batteries. The operating principle is no different from that of conventional automotive lead-acid batteries. There are also “pots” of electrolyte in which lead plates are immersed. The only difference is that with an AGM battery the electrolyte does not splash, but is converted into a gel with a special thickener. That’s the whole secret.
What causes lead batteries to die? Their plate electrodes can be destroyed. This problem is fatal for both regular and gel batteries. As well as the physical release of spongy coating from the same plates. With AGM devices, the gel prevents it from falling to the bottom of the “pot”, but this does not make it any easier. In both cases the battery refuses to even charge.
Another pest is sulphation of the plates, which causes poorly soluble lead sulphate to appear on them. This problem can be eliminated by organizing numerous charge-discharge cycles for the battery according to a specific algorithm. Thus, the energy storage device can be revived to a “solid four” state.
However, one of the most common reasons for gel batteries to fail is (oddly enough!) drying out. Naturally, they are sealed and made maintenance-free. But it is of course impossible to achieve ideal insulation of the contents of the “cans” from the atmosphere with economically sound measures.
And the moisture from the gel slowly disappears over the years. The plates turn out to be dry – the battery seems “dead”. It is easiest to revive such an AGM. You don’t even need any special equipment here. Remove the plastic cover from the battery to get to the necks of the “cans”, open them too, and then using an ordinary medical syringe, gradually inject distilled water into the dried gel mass. Restore the required moisture level in it. Then the battery is sealed in reverse order and – voila: you can put it up for sale.
In Europe, gel batteries have long become a widespread phenomenon. And now significant quantities of refurbished AGMs are supplied to Russia from there – in response to the demand that has arisen in our country.
A new battery of this type for a 10-15 year old BMW costs 60,000-80,000 rubles. A similar reconditioned battery, which can easily work for several more years, can be purchased for 5,000-6,000 rubles. Feel the difference, as they say.
With this arrangement, the car owner obviously runs the risk of encountering a completely discharged AGM battery. And to minimize this, you should refuse to purchase a battery with a swollen case and check by ear that nothing dangles, rolls, rattles or spills inside the battery during shaking and turning. Well, without checking the condition of the battery with a load fork, you should not buy it. As for the rest, why not…
Source: Avto Vzglyad
Donald Salinas is an experienced automobile journalist and writer for Div Bracket. He brings his readers the latest news and developments from the world of automobiles, offering a unique and knowledgeable perspective on the latest trends and innovations in the automotive industry.
