Can Car Batteries Be Repaired?
2 Answers
Car batteries can be repaired. Here is relevant information about car batteries: 1. Introduction: Car batteries, also known as storage batteries, are a type of battery. What people commonly refer to as car batteries are lead-acid batteries. These are primarily made from lead and its oxides, with sulfuric acid solution serving as the electrolyte. 2. Working Principle: Lead-acid batteries use lead plates filled with sponge-like lead as the negative electrode and lead plates filled with lead dioxide as the positive electrode, with 22-28% dilute sulfuric acid as the electrolyte. During charging, electrical energy is converted into chemical energy, and during discharging, chemical energy is converted back into electrical energy. When discharging, metallic lead serves as the negative electrode, undergoing oxidation to form lead sulfate, while lead dioxide serves as the positive electrode, undergoing reduction to also form lead sulfate. When charging with direct current, the two electrodes generate lead and lead dioxide respectively. After disconnecting the power source, the battery returns to its pre-discharge state, forming a chemical cell. Lead-acid batteries can be repeatedly charged and discharged, making them secondary batteries. The voltage of a single lead-acid battery is 2V, and typically three are connected in series to achieve 6V. Cars use six lead-acid batteries connected in series to form a 12V battery pack. Regular lead-acid batteries require periodic replenishment of sulfuric acid to maintain the electrolyte at 22-28% dilute sulfuric acid concentration.
I've been driving for over 20 years, and indeed, car batteries can sometimes be repaired, especially for older vehicle models. The most common issue is insufficient electrolyte inside the battery, which leads to reduced performance. In such cases, adding some distilled water and recharging can restore some power, allowing you to keep going for a while longer. However, if the battery itself is severely aged or has a short circuit, repairs are basically useless. After spending a lot of effort, you'll still end up needing a replacement, as damage to the plates or complete sulfation is irreversible. I remember a friend tried repairing an old battery, only for it to fail again within weeks, wasting time and energy. It's more practical to regularly check the voltage and maintain the battery. Nowadays, car batteries typically last 3-5 years. If they exceed this range, it's advisable to replace them directly to avoid mid-journey failures that could compromise safety.
