Yes, they disintegrate; and, they can dry out due to loss of water; and, bits of the plates can build up in the bottom & short out cells, and sulfates can build up/plate out on the plates as well. Or, you can have my Johnson Controls/Clarios issue, they can leak acid all over everything!So what are the mechanisms that cause a lead-acid battery to age? By "age" I am mostly referring to (reserve) capacity loss. Do the plates actually disintegrate over time or is it sulfation that inactivates them?
This plus it's been my experience that when the water gets low the battery is doomed.Yes, they disintegrate; and, they can dry out due to loss of water; and, bits of the plates can build up in the bottom & short out cells, and sulfates can build up/plate out on the plates as well. Or, you can have my Johnson Controls/Clarios issue, they can leak acid all over everything!
Over time even a perfectly charged and maintained battery will suffer from positive plate erosion until it fails
Is this a common occurrence with current production? Where do they leak from? Around the terminals? Case crack?Or, you can have my Johnson Controls/Clarios issue, they can leak acid all over everything!
Is there any way to determine the primary mechanism based on battery characteristics / symptoms at failure? I am trying to get my head around how an EOL battery would be able to start the car (sufficient CCA) but have near zero capacity.All of the above. Lots of info out there.
The battery getting the relay to 'click', and no more, is just a more severe example of insufficient CCA.I can remember decades ago that the usual failure mode would be insufficient CCA to start the engine, usually when cold (winter). More recently I have also seen and experienced situations where it goes from starting to "click" from one start to the next.
The Clarios (formerly Johnson Controls) batteries are historically notorious for seeping acid from the base of the terminals. If I remember correctly, it is typically worse on the positive (+) terminal. Applying grease/petroleum jelly helps, as well as using the treated felt gaskets. The current batteries still have the leakage issues.Is this a common occurrence with current production? Where do they leak from? Around the terminals? Case crack?
It use to be Exide batteries did this.The Clarios (formerly Johnson Controls) batteries are historically notorious for seeping acid from the base of the terminals. If I remember correctly, it is typically worse on the positive (+) terminal. Applying grease/petroleum jelly helps, as well as using the treated felt gaskets. The current batteries still have the leakage issues.
Here is a video that shows the positive plate and how it's made in India...
I suspect they suffer later in life. I also suspect they know better but do it anyway. The information is readily available.I wonder what the average life expectancy is for people in India working in this industry...and their families? No respirators, no gloves, or protective clothing. They go home with lead particles on their clothing, and in their hair and contaminate their homes, bedding, etc.
I suspect they suffer later in life. I also suspect they know better but do it anyway. The information is readily available.
Abstract:
Modern vehicles have increasing safety requirements and a need for reliable low-voltage power supply in their on-board power supply systems. Understanding the causes and probabilities of failures in a 12 V power supply is crucial. Field analyses of aged and failed 12 V lead batteries can provide valuable insights regarding this topic. In a previous study, non-invasive electrical testing was used to objectively determine the reasons for failure and the lifetime of individual batteries. By identifying all of the potential failure mechanisms, the Latin hypercube sampling method was found to effectively reduce the required sample size. To ensure sufficient confidence in validating diagnostic algorithms and calculating time-dependent failure rates, all identified aging phenomena must be considered. This study presents a probability distribution of the failure mechanisms that occur in the field, as well as provides insights into potential opportunities, but it also challenges diagnostic approaches for current and future vehicles.
YesIs this a common occurrence with current production? Where do they leak from? Around the terminals? Case crack?
Batteries are way more oversized now compared to starter motor needs. These little gear reduction starter motors draw far fewer peak amps than the old direct drive ones. So a battery degrading still starts the engine even if it's near death's door, and sounds good doing it.I can remember decades ago that the usual failure mode would be insufficient CCA to start the engine, usually when cold (winter). More recently I have also seen and experienced situations where it goes from starting to "click" from one start to the next.