Traditional lead-acid batteries account for the bulk of 12-volt power cells in automotive applications. Experienced drivers are well aware of the shortcomings of such batteries and are able to determine, without a special examination, the moment when they can be carried to a collection point for recycling. This is what users do who have no time to waste time on unnecessary manipulations to get the maximum benefit from the “killed” power supply. Nevertheless, the operation of reversing the battery as a restoration of its internal energy potential, although to a minimal extent, can bring some benefit.
What is a battery reversal?
In order to understand the essence of reversal, regardless of the nature of its consequences, with the possibilityrestorative effect should understand the principles of this phenomenon. You should start with the fact that each acid battery consists of several sections - plates that act as electrodes. One group of plates is positively charged and the other is negatively charged. For example, in the same lead batteries, sections of lead as such have a "negative charge", and plates based on lead dioxide are charged with a "plus". Actually, disturbances in the operation of the battery often occur due to the uneven distribution of charges, which is associated with a decrease in voltage in one of the groups of electrodes. Moreover, it is the positively charged dioxide plates that are subjected to the greatest load with a more intense loss of energy potential. Obviously, reversing the battery with capacity recovery by changing the poles can change the situation for the better, but how practical it is in each case depends on many factors. For example, experts note that batteries with durable lead plates are sometimes recoverable with a return of up to 70% of capacity.
When does it make sense to reverse the polarity?
Of course, polarity reversal cannot be considered as a universal way to repair a battery. It can be said that the user does not lose anything from the very attempt to “revive” the device except for time and nerves, but there are cases when a positive effect in principle will be impossible. For example, attempts to restore the battery by reversing the polarity will not lead to anything good.following situations:
- If the battery has permanently failed as a result of complete physical or chemical destruction. The crumbling of the structure of the electrodes is a clear sign that the block should be disposed of, and as soon as possible.
- The battery case is swollen and swollen. Also a bad sign, which indicates that it makes no sense to try to disassemble the structure.
- The electrolyte has changed a lot in color - its brown tint also indicates the impossibility of recovery.
- Closing the plates.
And yet, typical and non-critical violations in the workflow or the loss of former performance do not exclude success when performing polarity reversal. It is quite possible to apply it to blocks that do not take a charge, boil quickly, discharge in a few minutes, etc.
Natural polarity reversal
Changing charge poles can occur without the knowledge of the user under certain conditions. This primarily requires the presence of a potential difference between different blocks of electrodes. Under such conditions, one section will lose charge faster and it is possible that the capacity level will reach zero, while the "work" of the second section will continue. It is in this configuration that a natural polarity reversal of the car battery is possible, when one of the charges begins to act in the opposite direction, charging the adjacent “zero” block in the opposite sequence. Initially, the following factors lead to similar and already uncontrolled processes:
- Deep battery discharge.
- Destruction in the active mass.
- Violations in block connections.
Measures to protect the battery from reverse polarity
If there is no purpose of creating conditions for a change of poles, then in normal operation the probability of such a phenomenon will be quite small. Compliance with standard battery maintenance rules will reduce it to almost zero. However, it will not be superfluous to have an idea of the main measures for preventive battery protection against polarity reversal:
- Maintaining the design of the block in good condition - the case must be sealed and clean, which will reduce the risks of self-discharge.
- Correct connection of wires to the terminals of the battery and charger. A properly organized electrical wiring diagram virtually eliminates the possibility of changing poles.
- Maintaining the electrolyte in a normal state. The sulfation process, in particular, is dangerous not only with the risks of polarity reversal, but also with an increased risk of case depressurization.
Technology for self-performing polarity reversal
The operation is quite simple and is performed in the following sequence of actions:
- General diagnostics of the battery is carried out, during which the density of the electrolyte is measured, the condition of the electrodes is assessed and the distribution of polarities is determined. It is fundamentally important to highlight sections with a deep discharge.
- Wires are connected from the charger, but in reverse order with respect to the previous circuit. In other words, a terminal with a "plus"connects to the “minus”, etc. What is important, we are talking about a partial polarity reversal of the car battery specifically in relation to deep discharge electrodes. Usually, the operation is performed with 1-2 sections, and the rest should not be touched.
- The plus line is additionally provided with a safety resistance device - for example, a 50 kOhm SDR. This will eliminate the possibility of a short circuit.
Features of double polarity reversal
If the goal is to rid the electrodes of white plaque and the consequences of strong sulfation, then a double polarity reversal will justify itself. It will get rid of external physical and chemical processes of destruction when changing poles with the return of the old electrical connection configuration. The battery is reversed twice in the same sequence. After changing the polarities, it is immediately necessary to repeat the set of actions, but in a different order. It is also worth considering that this operation places a large load on the battery and especially on the electrodes. Therefore, double polarity reversal is recommended only for units with dense, strong and thick plates.
Positive polarity reversal effect
If the procedure is successfully completed, at best, it will be possible to count on another 2-3 years of operation of the unit, albeit with minimal energy potential. If, in parallel with the polarity reversal, the electrolyte is replaced and the recharge is performed correctly, then at first the device maydemonstrate and completely enviable performance indicators. Another thing is that in this case, the restoration of the battery from polarity reversal will give a short-term effect. The increased power will quickly return to its previous state and will only decrease in the future.
Negative polarity reversal effect
It is difficult to talk about the negative factors of polarity reversal in relation to a completely inoperative battery. But the problem is that the recovery effect can take place only in the case when the potential has not yet been completely lost. That is, the block can be reanimated in other ways, and the consequences of a battery polarity reversal can be expressed in the complete destruction of thin plates without any chance of returning to working capacity. The most offensive consequences in this context come from natural polarity reversal. Incorrect connection of the same terminals in a fully functioning battery will lead to similar destruction processes, but in a shorter time, since without user control, the mandatory conditions for protecting the device will be excluded.
Conclusion
The practice of battery recovery in Russia did not take shape on empty ground. It is based on the opinion that battery manufacturers have deliberately introduced the concept of a maintenance-free power supply, pushing the consumer to prematurely purchase a new cell. And yet, in practice, it is possible to achieve a noticeable increase in the performance of the device only in extremely rare cases. As for battery recovery specificallypolarity reversal, then the method is quite troublesome and unsafe in terms of the risks of chemical injury. If we talk about the result, then at best you will have to rely on maintaining a small energy reserve for a limited period of time, which is still recommended to be used to purchase a new block.
