Desulfate battery?

[stu07hd]

I just picked up a new battery charger. It is a "smart charger" by Black and Decker. It seemed like a good deal at $49.99 from my local Rural King. The charger has 2/10/25 charge settings with 60amp start. It also has a desulfate setting. The manual said that it will take 24 hours to go through the desulfate cycle.

What exactly does that cycle do? I know what it said it will do, but why would it take 24 hours?

 

[flargin]

Re: Desulfate battery?

in short, as a battery is low charge, the sulfer in the acid starts to "cling" to the cells. As this happens it prevents the cell from using that area for power, thus reducing the power.

The Desulfers will supply a high power (over the typical 14v), and in pulses. When this happens it will start to break the crystals, and they can re-desolve into the liquid. Bubbles form due to the excess heat, an this will actually stir up the liquid as well.

if left to grow (i.e. long periods of time without charge) they will actually grow between plates, then you loose the power from those plates due to the shorting between the plates)

It takes a lot of cycles and a lot of power. When you are doing it-- ensure it has PLENTY of liquid (monitor it over the 24 hours) and remove all of the caps to let the gas (hydrogen=flamable) escape.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Desulfate battery?

That's a nice charger and you got it for a good price. I have the same charger. They are made by Vector.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Desulfate battery?

I have the 2 10 15 with desulphate and thats what I paid. You got that at a great price. We've had ours for 6 years when they were originally shown made by Vector and they still work flawlessly.

Nice find. BTW the explanation of what desulphating a battery does on the post above needs no further explanation. He did a good job.

 

[stu07hd]

Re: Desulfate battery?

Thanks for the replies. I am running the charger now. I am thinking that if it makes all my batteries (boat, motorcycle, truck, car) last even one extra year it has probably paid for itself. Only time will tell.

 

[flargin]

Re: Desulfate battery?

Nice find. BTW the explanation of what desulphating a battery does on the post above needs no further explanation. He did a good job.

Thanks