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:: Precedent
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TOP TEN MYTHS ABOUT BATTERIES 1. STORING BATTERIES ON A CONCRETE FLOOR WILL DISCHARGE THEM. A hundred years ago when batteries were made of porous material, (such as wood), storing batteries on concrete would indeed accelerate their discharge. Modern battery cases are made of polypropylene or hard rubber, which are better sealed, so external leakage causing discharge is no longer a problem. However, the top of the battery must be kept clean and dry. 2. DRIVING A CAR WILL FULLY RECHARGE A BATTERY. Some factors affecting a car charging system's ability to charge a battery are; how much current from the alternator is diverted to the battery, how long the current is available and the temperature. If your battery has been discharged because the headlights were left on, idling the engine or short stop and go trips during bad or hot weather or at night will not fully recharge a battery. A long daytime trip in warm weather (like from Kelowna to Saskatoon) should fully recharge a starting battery. 3. A BATTERY WILL NOT EXPLODE. Recharging a wet lead-acid battery normally produces hydrogen and oxygen gases. While spark retarding vent caps help prevent battery explosions, they can occur when jumping, connecting or disconnecting chargers or battery cables, and starting the engine. While not likely fatal, battery explosions cause thousands of eye and burn injuries every year. When battery explosions occur while starting an engine, here is the usual sequence of events: one or more cells had a high concentration of hydrogen gas (above 4.1%) because the vent cap was clogged or a valve did not release the gas. The electrolyte levels fell below the top of the plates due to high under the hood temperatures, overcharging or poor maintenance. A low resistive bridge or treeing formed between the tops of the plates such that when the current started to flow, it caused an arc or spark in one of the cells. That combination of events ignites the gas, blows the battery case cover off and splatters electrolyte all over the engine compartment (at the very least). The largest number of battery explosions while starting an engine occurs in hot climates. 1 :: 2 :: 3 |
