Without a storage device and an additional source of energy, none of the modern mechanisms, gadgets, radiotelephones will work. In all types of vehicles - in cars, diesel locomotives, aircraft - they serve to start engines and support the functions of electrical appliances. Deer, of course, are better, but they can’t go further than the tundra…
The structure and principle of operation of the battery
Can a car battery be charged? Traditional energy storage devices consist of several compartments (cans) united by one strong plastic case. Each jar filled with diluted sulfuric acid (electrolyte) contains lead plates. All departments are sequentially connected to each other in a single system. As a result of the interaction of the metal and the electrolyte, electricity is released. Then everything is simple:
- current through the wires goes to the starter;
- then to spark plugs;
- gasoline fumes flash in cylinders;
- engine starts;
- generator starts generatingelectricity that is stored in the electrolyte.
Ideally, this is how it should happen, but in some cases it is impossible to start the car - the battery is dead.
How to fix the situation
The cause of battery discharge may be a change in the density of the electrolyte or a general drop in capacity. Sometimes, especially after a long period of inactivity, the lead plates inside the cans crumble. Can a charged battery be charged? If you want to reduce the life of the device, you can do it constantly. If you approach the process responsibly, it is better to avoid such situations, since when the components are overheated, a strong release of gas occurs. The amount of liquid decreases, the proportions are violated, the reaction is incorrect, the battery performance drops.
If you control the level and density of the electrolyte, observe the operating modes of the mechanism in the process of its inactivity, you will not need to answer the question "is it possible?" Charging a charged battery is only allowed on a phone or laptop. And even then, within an hour and a half after the indications of fullness on the indicator.
Can lithium batteries be charged and how to do it correctly?
Effective operation of mobile electronic devices now requires powerful autonomous power sources. Careful use and proper recharging will prolong the life of Lithium Ion drives. The rules are:
- not allowedallow the moment of "empty battery";
- every 3-4 months it is necessary to do a preventive full reset;
- keep an unused source with a value of 35-50% power;
- use special devices for recharging;
- keep out of the sun;
- alternate cycles of full and incomplete filling of the battery.
These measures will extend the life of lithium-ion energy storage devices.
On diesel locomotives and motor ships
Industry, rail transport and shipping require larger and more powerful electrical systems. Alkaline and acid batteries work on the same principle, but differ in size. Is it possible to charge a charged battery of such modifications? The basic recommendations are true for all types of batteries. Regardless of the appearance, materials of the case and the composition of the electrolytic filler, the schemes of the occurring chemical reactions are identical.
The main advantages include the ability to work and be stored at severely sub-zero temperatures, a fast rate of power increase.
Can an alkaline battery be charged? Of course, the answer is yes. It is important to observe the mode and avoid overheating, which increases the internal pressure, releases gaseous oxygen and drops the current strength.
Existing ways to revive the "heart" of the mechanism
Can I charge a gel battery underslow voltage? Let's name the applied types and methods:
- "Slow" - the safest, but longest exposure is considered to be exposure to a discharge current of 0.1-0.2 C. In time, it takes from 8 to 15 hours.
- "Fast" - stronger current (1/3 C), 3-5 hours.
- "Delta V" or "Accelerated" - in which the initial voltage supply is equal to the value of the storage capacity. In an hour and a half, the battery is fully charged. A rather risky method that can lead to overheating or destruction of the battery.
- "Reversible" - most effective for alkaline devices with "memory effect". The process occurs with alternating short discharge periods and long charge periods.
In fact, for each type of battery, a special device is provided that supplies currents of the desired strength and provides the appropriate impulse and voltage. Indicators are built into digital technology that automatically turn off the flow of electricity when the device reaches its nominal capacity. For energy sources used in cars, locomotives, aircraft and other vehicles, there are special devices to restore their performance.
Importance of electrolyte quantity and quality
A frequent problem for motorists is battery failure due to a violation of the chemical reaction in the banks. Why is this happening? There are only two reasons, and they are associated with a violation of the composition or amount of electrolyte:
- change in density due to water boiling off with frequentoverheating;
- outflow of liquid when the body is damaged or the vehicle is strongly tilted.
In improperly operated devices, the plates themselves can scatter, contact connections between banks are destroyed, or a short circuit occurs.
The density of the electrolyte is regulated by adding distilled water to each compartment. By adding catalytic liquid of the desired composition, the battery is restored to working capacity with the whole case.
Features of the newest batteries
The system of lead-calcium energy sources is designed in such a way that during operation in them the process of gas evolution and, accordingly, water loss is reduced to a minimum. This allows you to extend the shelf life of the electrolyte up to 15-25 months. One of the important operating conditions is to adjust the generator output voltage to 14.4 V.
Can a maintenance-free battery be charged? The shell of the device has no covers and openings for pouring liquids, it is hermetically sealed. The voltage level is shown by an indicator placed inside above one of the cans. By changing its color determine the condition of the battery:
- eye glows green - it means everything is in perfect order;
- color darkens or turns black - it's time to increase the current level;
- the indicator turned yellow or colorless - the device has become completely unusable, it remains only to throw it away.
It becomes clear that any device requires careful and careful handling. And to the question “is it possible to charge a maintenance-free battery”, the answer will be the word“necessary”, and on time. Otherwise, you will have to spend money on buying a new device.
Differences between gel and liquid batteries
The main advantage of the modified acid device is the thick electrolyte that envelops the plates inside the cans. With any tilt of the vehicle (except for shifters), such a battery continues to work. The hull is damaged, a crack has appeared from the impact - it doesn’t matter, you can just glue the hole. This does not affect the state and quantity of such a catholyte, since a thick substance does not flow out. This feature is a great advantage in the process of using the battery in extreme conditions. Gel batteries are used in military aviation, scooters, modern cars.
Despite the slow output of current, the battery needs to be replenished from time to time through a special device. Can a gel battery be charged? The incoming voltage must be within the acceptable range. Exceeding the threshold readings is fraught with flaking of the electrolyte substance from the lead plates and failure of the apparatus. With proper use and the conditions for recharging, the battery can withstand up to 1000 cycles, having served up to 10 years.
How not to act
- Connect the charger contacts to the opposite values of the battery terminals.
- First connect the charger to the network, and only then connect it to the battery.
- After completing the process, first disconnect the positive contact.
- Ignore the indicatorsinstruments and indicators.
Can I charge a charged battery? It seems that after reading all the recommendations, this question will become redundant, since the answer suggests itself.