Battery Reconditioning With Epsom Salt

How to Use Epsom Salt to Recondition a Lead Acid Battery

There has been a lot of advances in the technology used in batteries, but even so, many applications use lead-acid batteries as they can provide surge current and cost less. These batteries however do not last forever. Car batteries that have been used for a long time lose any ability that they have to hold a charge. Over some time, lead in the internal plates of the batteries get combined with electrolytes and this leads to the formation of lead sulfate. You need to completely desulfate the battery when this happens so that it is again able to hold a charge. This process of desulfation is referred to as battery "reconditioning". Lead acid, a toxic chemical that is in batteries, makes it necessary to take safety precautions.

One of the ways to recondition batteries is to use Epsom salt, a method that is cost-efficient in the revival and extension of the natural life of a lead-acid battery. An electrolyte solution can be made with many additives. However, in this article, we focus on Epsom salt.

Safety Precautions

Every procedure that involves chemicals requires you to secure safety before you start any process at home. Most battery solution contains sulfuric acid and it is an acid that is highly corrosive and gives out fumes which you must take care not to inhale. The use of gloves, goggles and an apron are the minimum safety attire that you must use to protect yourself.

When you are reconditioning your battery, make sure that you work in an area that is well-ventilated, and has a readily available supply of water. Also, you need to avoid pouring out the electrolyte solution directly, as it can spatter everywhere and get on to your clothes.

Where Can I Get Epsom Salt?

Epsom salt is MgSO, magnesium sulfate, and is found in most drug stores, gardening centers, and grocery stores. Epsom salt is a stronger acid that needs to be mixed with the electrolyte, and this strength tips the chemical balance, and this gives the battery enough charge for starting your engine.

Benefits of Refurbishing Your Battery With Epsom Salt

The use of this salt can have an impact and bring many benefits.

Huge Savings in Cost

When you recondition your battery, you will not have to shell out a lot of money for a new one. Standard 12V batteries for cars cost anywhere between $50to $120, while there are expensive brands that can set you back anywhere between $90 and $200. Reconditioning a battery can save you anywhere between a quarter to a half of this retail cost.

You Can Even Earn

You will find that many of your neighbors have car batteries that are old and functional and are not damaged. Let us say you can locate 10 such batteries. A new battery can cost $100, but if you recondition their old batteries and charge them anywhere from $20 to $50, it gives you an earnings of $200 to $500 from all the ten batteries. That can be a substantial sum. If you can understand and learn the way batteries can be reconditioned with Epsom salt, you can even earn a decent profit from a business that you can start.

Waste Reduction

The United States has millions of car owners. If all of them need to replace their car batteries, there would be millions of them required to disposed of as waste. This waste can be minimized if reconditioning 12V batteries becomes a practice.

The Reconditioning Process in Detail

Step 1

Make sure that you are in a well-ventilated area and have worn safety goggles and gloves.

Step 2

Make sure that your vehicle is in the "park" mode. There is a latch under the steering wheel that must be pulled to open the hood. It will be in the area under the left side of the steering wheel. Your hood will have an adjustable rod that can be connected to the rod port, and allow the hood to stay open.

Step 3

Your car's owner manual will tell you whether the battery in it has a "negative ground", as most batteries will. On the battery terminals, you will see the sign "-" or "NEG". A "+" or "POS" indicates a positive ground. The cable that shows "positive ground" needs to be first disconnected. Do this by loosening the nut and bolt on the clamp that holds this cable to the positive terminal. The cable can then be removed. Now disconnect and remove the cable that goes to the negative terminal. There is a device that holds the battery in its place, and this needs to be removed through the use of the right screwdriver. Some batteries may be held in place by Philips-head screws. Loosen these screws with a screwdriver. Now unscrew them completely by hand and see that you do not lose them. The battery can now be removed.

Completing the Desulfation Process

Step 1

Take 7 to 8 oz of Epsom salt that has been carefully measured. Heat half a quart of distilled water till it reaches a temperature of 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a thermometer to test the boiling temperature. The Epsom salt must now be poured into the heated water and allowed to dissolve.

Step 2

Make sure that you have worn the goggles and gloves. The caps on the cells of the battery then need to be removed. Some batteries may be sealed but will have shadow plugs that act to cover the battery cells. These shadow plugs will be drawn on the battery cells. Drill through the outline for every one of the shadow cells until the cells are visible.

Step 3

Any battery fluid that remains must then be drained into a bucket. This fluid must be neutralized by adding baking soda into it. This neutralized acid can then be slowly poured into a drain, while the water is turned on. It is safe to do this, as the baking soda will have neutralized the acid.

Step 4

Every battery cell must now be filled with the Epsom salt solution. You can now replace the caps on the cells. If your battery was sealed and you had drilled holes in it, use plastic plugs to plug those holes again. The battery can be shaken to help the Epsom salt to be distributed.

Every battery charger works differently, and you must read the instructions of the charger that you have. The battery can now be charged by connecting the positive to the "+" or "POS” positive terminal, and the negative cable to the terminal that indicates negative. Users' instructions in the manual will tell you how to charge the battery. The setting on your charge must be at the correct "VOLT/AMP" setting. the battery desulfation is now complete once your battery is charged.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the right voltage for the charging of car batteries?

A 12V volt battery can be charged with a higher 15V charge. This must however be closely monitored so that the battery does not reach its full capacity and is also not overcharged.

If you plan to leave the battery unattended, then opt for a float voltage of 13.6V to 13.8V.

Do you know how long it takes for a battery to get charged once the engine is started?

It takes 8 to 99 seconds.

When must water be added to a battery?

Typically, this must be done before you charge the battery. The charging process creates bubbles that help in mixing the water with the battery acid.

Batteries must be considered empty if they have a voltage level of 10V. This is the time when you can consider it discharged.