Sulfation is a major issue affecting OPzV batteries, leading to reduced capacity and efficiency. This article examines its causes, symptoms, and preventive measures.
Causes of Sulfation
- Prolonged Undercharging: Leaving the battery in a partially charged state for extended periods.
- Low Charge Current: Inadequate charging current results in incomplete chemical reactions.
- Deep Discharges without Proper Recharging: Failing to recharge the battery immediately after deep discharge accelerates sulfation.
- Infrequent Use: Batteries left unused for long durations tend to develop sulfation.
Symptoms of Sulfation
- Reduced battery capacity and longer charging times.
- Higher internal resistance, causing voltage drops under load.
- Visible crystalline deposits on the battery plates.
Solutions and Preventive Measures
- Use proper charging algorithms to ensure complete charging cycles.
- Apply equalization charging periodically to break down sulfate crystals.
- Store batteries fully charged if not in use for extended periods.
- Use a desulfation device or pulse charger to recover sulfated batteries.
