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HOW TO RESOLVE SULFATION IN YOUR BATTERY SYSTEM
WHAT IS BATTERY SULFATION
Sulfation is a build-up of lead sulfate crystals, is the number one cause of early failures of lead-acid, sealed AGM or FLOODED (wet cell-filler caps) batteries. A sulfated battery can lead to:
- Loss of cranking power
- Longer charging times
- Excessive heat build-up leading to "boil out"
- Shorter running times between charges
- Dramatically shorter battery life
Other causes of battery failure include vibration, contamination, damaged charging plates (due to overheating) and under or overcharging.
WHAT CAUSES A SULFATED BATTERY
All lead-acid storage batteries will develop sulfate during their life time. Batteries develop sulfation each time they are used (discharged - recharged).
If they are overcharged or undercharged or left discharged, some for even just several days, they will rapidly develop sulfate. Even when a battery is stored fully charged, sulfate will form unless a desulfating battery charger is used.
Using or storing batteries in temperatures above 75°F accelerates the rate of self-discharge and increases battery sulfation dramatically. In fact, the discharge rate doubles, as does sulfation, for every 10°F rise above room temperature.
