No matter if a car has an internal combustion engine, electric, or hybrid, it needs a battery.
Cars with ICE or internal combustion engines depend on lead-acid batteries. Hybrids function seamlessly on lithium-ion or nickel-metal batteries. Electric motors can do a lot with the help of lithium-ion batteries too.
Now the battery is one of the many components in a car that people tend to take for granted. When a battery is dead, you can hardly change anything by turning the key and pushing the ignition button. So, is replacement the only option? What about reconditioning?
Does battery reconditioning really work? The following write-up provides all the information you need about battery reconditioning. Please check it out now.
What is the meaning of battery recondition?
Battery reconditioning refers to the process of restoring a battery to its full capacity by resetting the battery’s internal chemistry. This can be done using a battery charger that has a reconditioning function, or it can be done manually using a battery desulfator or other specialized equipment. When a battery is reconditioned, it may be able to hold a charge longer and perform better than it did before.
Some battery chargers have a reconditioning mode that can be used to improve the performance of older batteries that have lost some of their capacity due to age or extended use. It’s important to note that not all batteries can be reconditioned, and some types of batteries should not be reconditioned at all.
What does reconditioning a battery do?
Reconditioning a battery can help to restore its full capacity by resetting the battery’s internal chemistry. The process of reconditioning a battery can involve several steps, such as:
- Charging the battery to its full capacity using a battery charger
- Discharging the battery fully and allowing it to rest for a period of time
- Recharging the battery to its full capacity again
These steps can help to reset the internal chemistry of the battery and improve its overall performance. Some battery chargers have a reconditioning mode that can be used to perform these steps automatically. It’s important to note that not all batteries can be reconditioned, and some types of batteries should not be reconditioned at all.
When a battery is reconditioned, the process can help to remove sulfates from the battery’s lead plates.
Sulfation is a process that occurs naturally over time as a battery discharges and recharges, and it can cause the battery’s capacity to decrease.
Removing sulfates from the lead plates can help to improve the battery’s performance and extend its lifespan.
The process of reconditioning a battery can also involve rejuvenating the electrolyte mixture inside the battery, which can help to improve the battery’s ability to hold a charge and power electrical devices.
What does battery reconditioning do? Will it charge the battery?
The process of reconditioning a battery will involve charging the battery. In most cases, the battery will need to be charged to its full capacity using a battery charger that has a reconditioning function. This can help to restore the battery’s full capacity and improve its performance.
Longevity
Longevity refers to the length of time that something is able to function or remain useful. In the context of batteries, longevity can refer to the amount of time that a battery is able to hold a charge and power electrical devices before it needs to be replaced.
There are several factors that can affect the longevity of a battery, including the type of battery, the quality of the battery, the way the battery is used and maintained, and the conditions in which the battery is used.
Some types of batteries are known for their long lifespans, while others may have shorter lifespans. Proper maintenance and handling of batteries can help to extend their lifespans and ensure that they perform at their best for as long as possible.
Availability
Availability refers to the extent to which something is able to be obtained or accessed. In the context of batteries, availability could refer to how easy it is to find and purchase a particular type of battery, or how readily available a particular brand or model of battery is.
Availability can be influenced by a number of factors, such as the popularity of a particular type of battery, the demand for that type of battery, and the production and distribution systems in place for that type of battery. Some types of batteries may be more widely available than others, depending on these and other factors.
If you are having difficulty finding a particular type or brand of battery, you may want to try checking with multiple retailers or looking online to see if the battery is available from other sources. You may also want to consider using a different type or brand of battery if the one you are looking for is not readily available.
In case of a few car models and brands, finding a new battery is next to impossible. However, several suppliers will offer reconditioned batteries for even the oldest models.
Affordability
Reconditioning a battery can be a more affordable option than purchasing a new battery, especially if the battery is still in relatively good condition and just needs a boost to restore its full capacity. Reconditioning a battery involves resetting the battery’s internal chemistry, which can help to improve its performance and extend its lifespan.
The cost of reconditioning a battery will depend on a number of factors, such as the type of battery, the tools and equipment needed to recondition it, and the extent of the work required. In some cases, you may be able to recondition a battery yourself using a battery charger that has a reconditioning function, or by using a battery desulfator or other specialized equipment. Alternatively, you may be able to have a battery reconditioned by a professional at a battery shop or repair service.
Overall, reconditioning a battery can be a more affordable option than purchasing a new battery, especially if the battery is still in relatively good condition and just needs a boost to restore its full capacity.
Eco-Friendly Nature
Reconditioning batteries can help to reduce your carbon footprint. The production of batteries can have a significant environmental impact, including air and water pollution, due to the chemicals used in the manufacturing process.
By reconditioning a battery instead of purchasing a new one, you can help to conserve natural resources and reduce energy use, which can contribute to a reduction in your carbon footprint.
Recycling batteries is also a more eco-friendly option than disposing of them in a landfill, as it helps to prevent the release of harmful chemicals into the environment.
Reliability
Reconditioned batteries are as reliable as new batteries. You just have to maintain them with utmost diligence.
Is it possible to recondition a powerless battery?
Sulfation, a common cause of decreased battery capacity, can potentially be reversed in a flooded lead acid battery if detected early enough. One method of reversing sulfation is to apply an overcharge to a fully charged battery using a regulated current of approximately 200mA (milliAmps) for approximately 24 hours.
This process allows the battery’s terminal voltage to increase between 2.50 and 2.66 volts per cell, which can help to dissolve sulfate crystals.
If the battery is too discharged to attempt this process, specialized battery chargers are available that are designed to recover severely discharged batteries by sending pulses to the battery terminals to reverse sulfation.
When should you recondition a battery?
Battery reconditioning is often performed when a battery has lost approximately 30-40% of its original capacity.
However, if a battery has suffered damage to its plates due to sulfation or is severely corroded, it may not be able to be restored through reconditioning.
Desulfation using a battery regenerator can be attempted at any time, but it may not be successful if the battery has sustained significant damage. It is important to consider the condition of the battery before attempting to recondition it.
How can you refurbish a powerless battery?
How to trigger the battery charger recondition mode? How to recondition/refurbish a battery? You must seek third-party assistance. But if you want to do it on your own, you must follow the below steps.
- Collect equipment such as protective wear – high-grade gloves, safety goggles, and apron, toothbrush, flathead screwdriver, funnel, battery cleaner, steel wool, and two buckets.
- Purchase one gallon of distilled water, baking soda, and Epsom salt. You must also have a voltmeter and battery charger.
- To make a cleaner, you should mix baking soda and water. This mixture will also cover up acid spills.
- Apply the cleaner on the corroded battery terminals and posts. Scrub using a toothbrush. If you see foam, you can be sure that the cleaner is working. Use steel wool if the batteries are too corroded. Wipe, clean, and dry the terminals fully.
- Up until now, you do not have to remove your car’s battery. But now you have to. Keep baking soda and a bucket nearby. Take off the battery cover and remove the cell caps that lie beneath with a flathead screwdriver. Empty the cell contents in the bucket. You can continue adding baking soda when you are emptying the cells or after. This will neutralize the acid so you can dispose of the battery safely.
- Now with the funnel, pour the cleaner in every cell. Replace the battery cover and cell caps. Now shake the battery for a minute. Dispose of the mixture into a waste bucket.
- Verify the battery’s voltage. A standard battery with six cells generates 2.1 volts. Healthy batteries read 12.6 V. When the voltage is between 10 and 12.6, you can go for reconditioning. If the voltage is less than 10, please get the battery replaced.
- Recharge and test the battery. If the readings are low, please charge the battery again. If the voltmeter shows 9.6V, you have thankfully reconditioned the battery.
How long does a reconditioned battery last?
How long does a battery recondition take? Post reconditioning, the battery should be charged for about 24 to 36 hours. Include the charging time; the reconditioning will take around one to two days.
Now comes the question – how long reconditioned batteries last? Well, the duration relies on the battery’s existing capacity and age. In theory, you must repeat this process a couple of times, increasing the battery’s service life for three to five years.
EZ Battery Reconditioning Program
EZ Battery Reconditioning is a program that claims to teach people how to recondition old or dead batteries and bring them back to life. The program includes a series of instructions and guides that show users how to recondition a variety of different types of batteries, including car batteries, laptop batteries, and phone batteries.
According to the program’s website, the EZ Battery Reconditioning program can help users save money by showing them how to recondition batteries instead of buying new ones. The program also claims to be environmentally friendly, as it can help to reduce the number of batteries that need to be produced and disposed of.
EZ Battery Reconditioning is the online program for battery recharging, reusing, and fixing. This program covers the below batteries –
- Lead acid
- Lithium Ion
- NiCad
- Forklift
- SLA and AGM
- Alkaline
- Laptop
Final Thoughts
In summary, battery reconditioning refers to the process of restoring a battery to its full capacity by resetting the battery’s internal chemistry.
This can be done using a battery charger that has a reconditioning function, or it can be done manually using a battery desulfator or other specialized equipment. When a battery is reconditioned, it may be able to hold a charge longer and perform better than it did before.
Some battery chargers have a reconditioning mode that can be used to improve the performance of older batteries that have lost some of their capacity due to age or extended use.
It’s important to note that not all batteries can be reconditioned, and some types of batteries should not be reconditioned at all.
