3. Sulfation:
When a battery remains discharged for too long the accumulated lead sul-
fate in the plate material solidifies and cannot reenter the electrolyte. When a
battery is left in a discharged state the lead sulphate will crystallize. Charging
the battery does not move the crystallized lead sulphate 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 bat-
tery 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, espe-
cially 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.
7. Overcharging:
Overcharging rapidly converts water to gas and decreases the elec-
trolyte’s water content as the water evaporates. The electrolyte level drops and
becomes more acid in content. This subjects the plates to a higher concentra-
tion of sulfuric acid and results in early battery failure.
NOTE: Any time you add more than one or two ounces
of distilled water per-cell per-thousand miles, check the
motorhome charging system for overcharging. Prolonged
overcharging generates excessive heat inside the battery,
which buckles the plates and destroys the battery. It is a fact
that over 50% of battery failures are caused by overcharg-
ing.
Why does the voltage on a discharged battery measure the same as a fully
charged battery until the loads are applied? The simple answer to this might go
as follows: A battery creates electrical power by converting energy from a
chemical reaction into electrical energy. As this reaction slows down, the bat-
tery voltage will drop. In a lead acid battery the electrolyte conductivity (how
well electrical current can flow through it) changes. The same current may be
available but the rate of the reaction decreases, causing a voltage drop.
Electrical Systems - House
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WINDSOR 8•217
Battery Voltage &
Current
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