As lead acid batteries absorb high heat, chemical activity in the battery accelerates. This reduces service life at a rate of 50% for every 18°F (10°C) increase from 77°F (25°C).
As lead acid batteries absorb high heat, chemical activity in the battery accelerates. This reduces service life at a rate of 50% for every 18°F (10°C) increase from 77°F (25°C). If a battery has a design life of six years at 77°F (25°C), and the battery spent its life at 95°F (35°C), then its delivered service life would be three years.
All rechargeable batteries degrade over time. Lead acid and sealed lead acid batteries are no exception. The question is, what exactly happens that causes lead acid batteries to die? This article assumes you have an understanding of the internal structure and make up of lead acid batteries.
If lead acid batteries are cycled too deeply their plates can deform. Starter batteries are not meant to fall below 70% state of charge and deep cycle units can be at risk if they are regularly discharged to below 50%. In flooded lead acid batteries this can cause plates to touch each other and lead to an electrical short.
Just because a lead acid battery can no longer power a specific device, does not mean that there is no energy left in the battery. A car battery that won't start the engine, still has the potential to provide plenty of fireworks should you short the terminals.
In both flooded lead acid and absorbent glass mat batteries the buckling can cause the active paste that is applied to the plates to shed off, reducing the ability of the plates to discharge and recharge. Acid stratification occurs in flooded lead acid batteries which are never fully recharged.
At the same time the more watery electrolyte at the top half accelerates plate corrosion with similar consequences. When a lead acid battery discharges, the sulfates in the electrolyte attach themselves to the plates. During recharge, the sulfates move back into the acid, but not completely.
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