author Andryushka asked a question in Service, Maintenance, Tuning

Do I need to unscrew the plugs when charging the battery? and got the best answer

Answer from Yergey Dmitrochenkov[newbie]
If the battery is new, it holds well, and you just recharge it in cold weather (1 hour, 30 + 30 minutes ...) - optional. If the battery is old, in any case, unscrew the plugs and check the density and electrolyte level.

Answer from StrannyK[guru]
Yopt

Answer from Micha[guru]
yes it is necessary if you do not unscrew the plugs, it can explode

Answer from Vage Pogosyan[newbie]
yes, i'm cutting it now

Answer from MIA[guru]
Make sure it doesn't explode

Answer from Kostya[newbie]
certainly.. . and remove the marks

Answer from Pavel z.[guru]
necessarily, hydrogen is released if there is poor contact between the banks, it tears so much that it won’t seem enough. Yes, and the electrolyte expands the battery can (suffocate) simply.

Answer from Alexander[guru]
Where did you find a battery with screw caps in these days))

Answer from Igor Veselov[expert]
breshete comrades, do not. in my workplace with our winters, diesel generators and trucks and cars are charging from the launcher! You just need to set the voltage correctly!

Answer from Andrey Andrey[guru]
When charging, hydrogen is released, so it is necessary to unscrew the plugs and smoke only at a respectful distance,

Answer from Zh[guru]
If you don’t need a modern charger, modern chargers limit the current at the end of charging (when hydrogen is mainly released)

Answer from Sergey Piter[newbie]
It is necessary of course. But it depends on the Akuma. If there are holes in the lid with God, on one side it is one, then you can not open it. And so it is necessary.

Answer from Cycle[guru]
if it is not possible to do this, then set a smaller ampere when charging and there will be nothing to worry about, the only thing will increase the charging time, otherwise I look like they scared you with an explosion, there are holes on the old batteries on the plugs and the battery breathes through them, but on the new ones there is also where boiling, the electrolyte will come out.

Answer from Yury Ivanov[expert]
and on my battery the plugs are soldered. only on the side there is a flap that I remove when charging

For many drivers, the question of whether it is necessary to unscrew the plugs when charging the battery is not relevant, but for those who will do this for the first time, reading the article will be useful and interesting. The service life of the starter battery depends on how correctly this process is organized and performed. You can completely “ditch” it or reduce it, moreover, the period of battery use is very strong. To prevent this from happening, nothing is required, compliance with the rules for performing such a procedure.

Whether it is necessary to unscrew the plugs when charging the battery will become clear after reading this article.

In addition, we will also remind readers of what voltage or current should be fed to a dead battery, how best to perform this operation, directly on the car, or it must be removed. The questions, at first glance, do not seem difficult or insoluble at all, but at the same time they are very important.

A little about the types of batteries

Lead-acid batteries are the most widely used today. Their jars are filled with an electrolyte based on sulfuric acid, battery acid and distilled water. Comparatively different low cost and no memory effects. We offer for use products developed and introduced into production quite recently, these are devices based on AGM technologies, and gel batteries.

New products are not yet used so often, so let's focus on the long-known and widely used lead-acid batteries. They are found in several types. The most widespread devices from the low-maintenance category, as well as. But occasionally you can find serviced batteries. Them hallmark is the cost, which is slightly higher than the rest.

The advantages of this type of battery include only the fact that it is possible to replace unusable cans. To carry out such a procedure, they are filled with mastic, which, under the influence high temperature may start to melt. As a result of this impact, the insulating properties of the mastic begin to be lost, and because of this, the self-discharge currents increase. More often, the electrolyte level should be monitored, approximately 5-7 thousand kilometers, and topping up with distilled water is required.

The next view involves a series of low-maintenance batteries. The name itself already suggests that they require very little attention to check, control and maintain. The choice of such products is quite large, you can pick up both expensive and not very rechargeable batteries. The plastic housing is highly durable. Water is added after about 20-30 thousand kilometers.

It is impossible not to say about this type of products, which are classified as maintenance-free batteries. During the operation of such devices, it is practically not necessary to add distilled water, as it evaporates so little. However, it should be noted the need for careful monitoring of the state of electrical equipment and especially.

About Charging

When using acid batteries on the “cathode” plates, the formation of lead sulfates occurs, and at the same time, energy begins to be released in the form of electric currents. Due to electrochemical reactions, a significant release of water occurs, which lowers the density of the filled electrolyte. If instead of consuming voltage, apply it to the battery terminals, then the reverse process will begin, the lead will begin to recover, and at the same time the electrolyte concentration will increase.

In order for the battery to be charged, it is necessary to pass the charging current from an external source so that it is opposite to its discharge current. As a result, lead sulfate at the positive electrode begins to appear as lead dioxide. At negative electrodes, sulfates from lead become spongy. These processes occur with a significant increase in sulfuric acid, and the water in the solution decreases.

When the full recovery of the active masses at both electrodes is over, the electrolyte has a density as before the start of the discharge and ceases to rise further. In banks, only the processes of water electrolysis begin to occur. Gas bubbles of hydrogen and oxygen begin to separate from the electrolyte. On the one hand, this indicates the end of the charging process, and on the other hand, the formation of an explosive mixture begins, which is called "explosive".

If the process is allowed to take its course, the allowable gas pressure in the cans may be exceeded and break them. Therefore, it is imperative to unscrew the plugs from the cans when charging the battery with a stationary charger. It is necessary to disconnect the charger terminals from the battery only after it is disconnected from the mains, otherwise a spark may occur, followed by an explosion. Do not smoke or use open flames near charging devices.

The process of restoring the battery capacity is not complicated. But it requires constant monitoring, strict observance of all the rules for the implementation of such work. We hope that it has become clear to you whether it is necessary to unscrew the plugs when charging the battery. It is best to perform this operation outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.

Modern power sources for cars require less and less human participation in the operation process. Batteries of a maintenance-free type do not need topping up with water or electrolyte for the entire period of operation. If the owner likes the battery, but the indicator says that the resource has been exhausted, is it possible to restore the battery? How to open the battery and get lead plates for fishing?

Unmaintainable power supply is attractive to those who do not want to worry about the condition of the power supply. However, many are accustomed to control all elements of the automotive system. Traditionally, it is believed that a sealed battery cannot be opened. Indeed, there are no technical holes on the case of such batteries. However, if you want to make a car battery serviceable or get lead out of it, then you can disassemble a maintenance-free power supply. This will require some tools and knowledge of safety rules.

What types of lids are available

Content of any car battery enclosed in a corpus. Serviced batteries are distinguished by the ability to access the banks and, if necessary, add electrolyte or distilled water. The maintenance-free sealed battery is characterized by smooth surface corps. To avoid any contamination, the top of the battery is tucked under the cover. It can be removable - on latches or monolithic - heat-welded to the body. Most often, a closed-type battery has a monocap.

What tools are needed to open

To gain access to the fill holes, even if they are filled at the factory to the level of the surface of the case, it is necessary to remove the cover from the battery. How to open the battery cover? If it is in the grooves, then carefully snap the fasteners and remove the element. You may need a flathead screwdriver.

A hot pressed part will not come off easily. During its dismantling, the probability of breakage of the part is high. Therefore, we do not recommend removing this type of element. However, if you wish, you can try to break the integrity of the part with an awl, screwdriver or drill. You will not remove the cover completely, but you can make holes for further operations.

How to open a maintenance-free battery

There are not so many ways to open a closed-type power supply, and they depend on the goal. If lead is needed (for hunting or fishing), then you don’t have to worry about how to open the battery and just break its case.

Attention! Drain the acid solution first!

In order to extend the life of the battery, it is necessary to make holes that will give access to the banks.

• Remove the stickers from the surface of the battery.
• Examine the body carefully. Since the sealed lead-acid battery was filled in at the factory, the stamping of plugs remained.
• Take an awl, screwdriver or drill and carefully make holes in place of the bays.

This simple procedure requires accuracy, but allows you not to purchase a new power source, but to restore the functionality of the existing one.

How to make a serviced battery out of a maintenance-free battery

The time comes and the car owner is no longer satisfied with the characteristics battery. If you have a sealed battery, do not throw it away and buy a new one. You can make it serviceable if you open the lid in the way we described above. This will allow you to carry out a number of procedures necessary to maintain the health of the power source.

The ability to check and change the electrolyte level is one of the signs of battery serviceability. Closed-type batteries are equipped with an indicator that allows you to see the electrolyte level. Some cases are made of translucent materials or are characterized by the presence of marks, which helps to monitor the amount of solution in all banks. The electrolyte level can be checked using a special tube or syringe by inserting them into the holes made in the lid. The normal amount of solution corresponds to values ​​of 10–12 millimeters of liquid above the plates.

Do not forget that not only the level of acid, but also its density is an important characteristic of battery performance. You can get data on the density of the solution using a hydrometer. Take a syringe, insert it into the hole on the lid and take the electrolyte from the jar. Pour into the hydrometer and see the readings. Too low density (less than 1.22 g / cm3 at temperatures up to +6) does not allow the battery to work fully and indicates a small amount of electrolyte and the need to replenish it. An increased density or insufficient level of the solution requires topping up with distilled water.

Battery hydrometer.

Checking the electrolyte level using a transparent tube.

Please note that an excessive concentration of electrolyte leads to sad consequences - sulfation and destruction of the plates.

The figure shows the density values ​​of the electrolyte under various conditions.

After completion of work on adding water or an acid solution, the holes in the cover must be covered with sealant.

Safety

Attention! A sealed battery contains an acid solution. Contact with unprotected skin may cause burns.

• We strongly recommend using protective equipment when disassembling the power supply. It is strictly forbidden to turn over or shake the jars. This may lead to a short circuit.
• If the battery cover is secured with clasps, be careful not to break them. In case of breakage, the part will have to be glued, and this does not guarantee safe operation power source.
• If you want to split the battery with a tool, select special means to help protect your eyes from splinters.

Is it safe to say that a maintenance-free battery can be made serviceable? Of course, a closed battery can be remade! If the purpose of opening the battery is to extract lead for fishing or hunting, then following a number of precautions, you can easily handle it with just a hammer.

Sometimes access to the electrolyte is required for battery maintenance or diagnostics, but in the absence of access, many motorists want to remove the battery cover.

Batteries are divided into batteries with access to electrolyte and without access to electrolyte. In order to unscrew the battery plugs with access to the electrolyte, you will need a ruble coin or a wide screwdriver. If the battery has a single bar-shaped cover, you will need a screwdriver (panel-cover, remove with a screwdriver). But there are batteries that do not have access to electrolyte, so motorists often turn to specialists with advice to help remove the cover from the Wart or Bosch battery.

How to remove the battery cover Varta, Bosch, Atlas, Delkor, Bost, Banner

If you need to remove the cover from these batteries, then after removing the cover, the battery can be thrown away. Those. Batteries Varta, Bosch, Atlas, Delkor, Bost, Banner will not work because the cover is non-removable. Technologically, the pad is soldered at the factory and does not imply dismantling from the battery.

If you want to remove the panel from the cover, then you need to know that there is no access to the electrolyte - this is a labyrinth system for vapor condensation. But there is one exception here - if you find that the electrolyte level is lower than necessary (for example, determined by weighing,) then a medical syringe and an awl will help you. It is necessary to carefully make a hole, trying not to damage the labyrinth system, add electrolyte with a syringe, and then solder the hole.