Did you ever wonder why you found your starter battery down on charge, when you returned from holiday after a month away? Then you may be interested to know that the loss is due to battery self-discharging. And that this is a fact of life that affects all battery users. We examine the causes for it in this article, and check out how our lead-acid batteries perform in this regard.
Why Does Battery Self-Discharging Happen?
Self-discharge refers to an autonomous process that occurs as battery chemicals gradually reduce a stored charge. No direct connection or external circuit between the terminals is necessary for this to occur.
The end result is decreased shelf-life, whether in a retail store or on a consumer’s premises. Battery self-discharging can usually be reversed by recharging the lead battery through a suitable device. But some deterioration may be permanent if the battery goes completely flat.
How to Mitigate Against Self-Discharging
Healthy lead-acid batteries typically self-discharge at rate of 4% to 6% per month. This means they should finally run flat after standing idle for 18 to 24 months. No batteries benefit from discharging completely. Fortunately there are things we could do to prevent the process.
But first, you need to appreciate how the chemical reaction behind battery self-discharging works. This process is temperature sensitive, and occurs faster at higher temperatures. This means you could slow the self-discharge rate by storing your lead-acid battery in a cool place.
The correct procedure before storing lead batteries is as follows:
- Recharge the battery fully before placing it in storage.
- Then keep it in a cool dry place away from the weather.
- Check the battery charge regularly according to type.
- Recharge it, if the charge drops below 75% or 12.4 volts.
- Bring the battery up to full charge before connecting it.
Lead-acid batteries perform best when used regularly, and recharged correctly. Never allow them to run completely flat, because this could damage them irreparably.
More Information
Why Lead-Acid Batteries Are Still So Popular
Charging a Sealed Lead Battery Optimally
Preview Image: Self-Discharge and Battery Temperature
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