312 | Section 8 Electrical System ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------- Monarch SE 2004
1. Physical Condition:
Active material flakes off the plates and falls to the bottom of the cell. This is
normal, but sediment accumulation under the plates can short out a cell. The
plate separators fail to insulate positive and negative plates in a cell and the
cell becomes shorted, ruining the battery.
2. Insufficient Electrolyte:
This allows exposed portions of the plates to sulfate rapidly. This reduces the
battery’s ability to accept a charge and the battery capacity is reduced.
Accelerated erosion of the lower portions of the plates occur from higher than
normal acid content due to water loss. Only the water evaporates, not the
acid. The battery also has a higher internal resistance when low on water. Add
only distilled water. Fill each cell to the bottom of the vent well when the
battery is warm. Filling a very cold battery with water to the bottom of the
vent well will cause overspill when the battery warms up and the plates
expand. A Battery Formula For Failure: the battery has a higher internal
resistance when low on water, therefore:
high resistance = more heat = shorter battery life!
3. Sulfation:
When a battery remains discharged for too long the accumulated lead sulfate
in the plate material solidifies and cannot reenter the electrolyte. When a
battery is left in a discharged state the lead sulfate will crystallize. Charging
the battery does not move the crystallized lead sulfate off the battery plate.
The battery is damaged.
4. Overheating:
The chemical reaction inside of the battery is increased when the battery
temperature rises above 125º F. This increases the corrosion of the plates and
reduces the battery life. When overheated, the battery plates tend to buckle
and destroy the structural integrity of the battery.
5. Freezing:
When the electrolyte freezes, ice formed dislodges the active material
from the plates. The battery case may crack and the electrolyte will leak out
when thawed. It is especially important to keep a battery at full charge in cold
weather to prevent freezing. The high specific gravity of a fully charged
battery does not freeze as easily. Never attempt to charge a frozen battery.
Warm it up first.
6. Corrosion:
Corrosion from spilled or splashed electrolyte form deposits that can conduct
electricity and can cause battery drain. Clean off all corrosion, especially
around the battery terminals and on the top of the battery. Prevent accumulation
by coating the terminals and the exposed metal cable connectors with high
temperature grease.
Reasons Why
Batteries Fail
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