Page 2 - Battery Desulfators & Sulphation

As many of you know, we like to share stories regarding how products we have suggested and sell, IMPACT our customers day-to-day living. Today's story comes from a farmer in Marion, IN who, no less than a week ago, purchased the PulseTech XC100-P. This is a 12 volt 2.5 amp Xtreme Pulse Charger.

Frank's XC100-P Experience

As with many do-it-your-selfers, Frank has been around the block a few times and knows a thing or two about batteries...and cars, tractors, corn, futures, growing degree days, etc. He had heard about Chris's story involving his dying BobCat batteries and how the XC100-P changed everything. Understandably, Frank wanted to know if these "desulfanators" would work in his situation. And knowing their excellent track record, I of course, quickly replied "I have no doubt."

Frank, like many mid-west farmers, collects and restores old John Deere tractors and has a modern army of tractors and farm equipment. Of course not every tractor can be used every day or even regularly for that matter. Which, luckily for us, creates the foundation for our story.

A question was posted over on Bob The Oil Guy regarding battery desulfators and whether or not they work. There were some interesting answers, much opinion and some real life examples of people using these devices. User 3311 must be a battery sales man as his response said "No they don't work. Electrical snake oil..." I would suggest the opposite is true.

Lead-acid Batteries

Although lead-acid batteries have many disadvantages when compared to other types of batteries, these types of batteries are among the most common batteries on the planet. One of the major reasons for the prevalence of lead-acid batteries is their ability to be recharged multiple times. The internal reaction that creates electricity is reversible, allowing a spent battery to be restored to a functional state over and over.

Over time, however, lead-acid batteries lose their ability to hold a charge. This gradual loss of charging capacity is due to a process called sulfation. While discharging, the lead dioxide plates within the battery react with the sulfuric acid electrolyte, causing lead sulfate to build up on the plates. As lead sulfate builds up within the battery, it loses its ability to provide electricity. When the battery charges, the voltage of the charging mechanism causes the lead sulfate to return to its original state. Over repeated charges, however, some of these lead sulfate deposits crystallize and harden, making them hard to remove. These crystallized deposits interfere with the battery's operation, making the battery harder to charge. Eventually, the sulfate deposits

Why do batteries get old and fail, and is there any way to avoid this? While it would be amazing to have a battery that will last the lifetime of your device or equipment, the truth is that no battery lasts forever. The key cause is sulfation.

Sulfation occurs when the electrolyte solution begins to break down. Sulfur in the solution essentially leaches from the electrolyte and sticks to the lead plates as converted lead sulfuric crystals. These crystals coat the plates and prevent them from doing their job the next time you power up. At the same time, the electrolyte solution becomes weaker because it then lacks the sulfuric acid that has converted to crystals, which then interferes with the ability of the battery to accept, hold and deliver a charge.

Stage One of sulfation may be an initial form that reduces quick starting but will be absorbed back into the electrolyte when charged. With more time, sulfation progresses and a battery may require a greater charge. The final stage is when