Can a Lead-Acid Battery Still Be Used After Being Soaked in Water?
2 Answers
It can be used normally. This is because the interior of the battery relies on distilled water for operation. Even if ordinary water enters, it can still function as usual. Here is some relevant information about batteries: 1. Lead-Acid Battery: The earliest pure electric vehicles used lead-acid batteries, which are made with lead and its oxides as electrode materials and sulfuric acid solution as the electrolyte. This is now the power source for most electric scooters, with low cost being its greatest advantage. 2. Nickel-Metal Hydride Battery: Nickel-metal hydride batteries are a new type of green battery developed in the 1990s, characterized by high energy, long life, and no pollution.
Once my car got flooded, and the lead-acid battery was submerged for most of the day. I immediately disconnected the power, removed it, wiped the casing dry, and left it in a ventilated area for three days. When tested, the voltage was only 10 volts. After charging, it barely worked, but the capacity was noticeably reduced—it felt sluggish when starting. Actually, water seeps into the electrolyte, diluting the sulfuric acid concentration and corroding the electrode plates. The longer the soaking time, the greater the damage. Now, I always advise friends not to take risks in such situations. Especially if the battery has been soaked in dirty water, it could short-circuit and cause a fire. For safety, it’s best to replace the battery outright. After all, repair shops can recycle the old battery for a 50-yuan discount.
