Maintenance Tips to Extend the Lifespan of Lead-Acid Batteries

Today, several applications make use of lead-acid batteries, including Electric material handling equipment, Cleaning machines, Golf carts, UPS, Aerial work platforms, etc. Lead-acid batteries require regular care and upkeep to extend their service life, in contrast to tubular and maintenance-free batteries.

The most popular and broadly used big batteries are lead-acid batteries, which have a lifespan of approximately five to six years. However, lead-acid batteries can survive a lot longer—up to ten years or longer—if they are well maintained. We’ll go over the required actions to extend the life of your lead-acid batteries and support you in keeping them in good working order in this blog.

How to Extend Lead Acid Battery Life?

For most electrically powered equipment, including aerial work platforms, lead-acid batteries are necessary. Lead-acid batteries, however, can lose their charge over time like any other battery, which can cause problems and even battery failure. Use these easy actions to make sure your batteries last as long as possible:

• Before using new batteries, they should be fully charged.

• Before new deep-cycle batteries achieve their maximum capacity, they must cycle them multiple times (25–100 cycles, depending on the kind). There will be a cap on capacity during this time.

• The connections on battery cables should always be tight and undamaged. In order to prevent shorting battery terminals, always use insulated tools. Frequent examinations are advised.

• Vent caps need to be tightly and accurately placed when operating a vehicle and charging a battery.

• Batteries should always be kept clean, clear of corrosion, and free of dirt.

• Unless the plates are exposed prior to charging, batteries should always be watered after charging. Plates that are exposed should have around 1/8′′ of electrolyte covering them (use only distilled water). Once charged, check the electrolyte level. It is recommended to maintain the electrolyte level 1/4′′ below the cell cover’s fill well bottom.

• When recharging batteries, water should be distilled or treated so that the total dissolved solids (TDS) content is no more than 200 parts per million. Iron exposure should be avoided at all costs by taking extra precautions.

• Batteries should never be depleted below 80% of their rated capacity for maximum battery life. A proper battery size will prevent over discharge.

• To fully charge batteries in eight hours, battery chargers should be matched. Batteries can sustain damage or have significant performance reductions from improper or mismatched charges.

• Avoid charging when the ambient temperature rises above 45 degree Celsius. Periodically equalizing deep-cycle batteries is necessary. A longer, low-current charge known as equalizing is carried out following a typical charge cycle. All cells are kept in equilibrium by this additional charge. Batteries that are currently in use should be equalized once a month. The charging period for a manually timed charger should be prolonged by about three hours. When a charge is finished, an automatically operated charger needs to be unplugged and reconnected.

• The replacement batteries should match the companion batteries in terms of size, age, and usage level when there are several batteries linked in series, parallel, or series/parallel configurations. Never insert a fresh battery into a pack that has 50 or more cycles. Replace them with brand-new batteries or make excellent use of a used set.

• Testing batteries on a regular basis is an essential preventive maintenance process. The true charge level and balance of each fully charged cell are indicated by the hydrometer results. A defective cell or incorrect charging could be the cause of imbalance, which could indicate the necessity for equalizing. Voltage checks (charged, discharged, and open circuit) can identify a weak or defective battery. When alternative techniques fail, load testing will identify a defective battery. Companion batteries will fail early due to a weak battery.

• Use a charger and battery pack system that always match. Chargers that are not compatible could lead to issues.

• Batteries require different upkeep as they get older. This indicates a greater finish rate (higher amperage at the conclusion of the charge) or a longer charging time. Older batteries typically lose capacity and require more frequent watering.

• The earliest possible chance should be taken to fully charge lead-acid batteries. Steer clear of using half-charged batteries continuously. They will live shorter lives and have lower capacity as a result.

• Extreme temperatures can have a significant impact on the charging and functioning of batteries. Battery capacity is decreased, and charging is delayed by cold. Heat uses more water and can lead to overcharging. An explosion or fire may result from “thermal run-away,” which is brought on by extremely high temperatures. If an application requires operation in extremely cold temperatures, speak with a battery or charger specialist about possible solutions.

All lead-acid batteries are susceptible to severe damage from inactivity. If you plan to use the season, we suggest the following:

• Before storage, make sure the battery is fully charged.

• Eliminate all electrical connections, including series and parallel connectors, from the battery.

• The battery should be kept as cool as possible, But avoid storing it anywhere that will constantly be greater than 40 degree Celsius. When kept, batteries will self-discharge; the self-discharge rate decreases with temperature.

• Every two months, boost when not in use.

Conclusion

Many industrial vehicles have lead-acid batteries, and extending their service life is crucial to maintaining their optimal performance. You may prolong the life of your batteries by following the instructions provided in this article. If you are looking for a reliable supplier of lead-acid and deep-cycle batteries in the UAE, SBR Batteries will be the best choice. We have proven market experience, and we are technically qualified to clear up any of your doubts regarding batteries.