The Dos and Don’ts of Charging Lead-Acid Batteries

Want to ensure that you maximize the lifespan of your lead-acid battery and get the best value for money and the most use out of it? Sealed lead-acid batteries can be used for a number of different purposes and to power a variety of electrical products, but it’s important to understand when and how to use them.

We’ve put together a list of all the dos and don’ts to bear in mind when charging and using lead-acid batteries.

The Best Way to Charge Lead-Acid Batteries

Apply a saturated charge to prevent sulfation taking place. With this type of battery, you can keep the battery on charge as long as you have the correct float voltage. For larger batteries, a full charge can take up to 14 or 16 hours and your batteries should not be charged using fast charging methods if possible. As with all other batteries, make sure that they stay cool and don’t overheat during charging.

Lead-Acid Battery Discharge

Sealed lead-acid batteries can ensure high peak currents but you should avoid full discharges all the way to zero. The best recommendation is to charge after every use to ensure that a full discharge doesn’t happen accidently.

How to Prolong a Lead-Acid Battery’s Life

As with all batteries, take care of and handle your batteries appropriately and if you are unsure or have further questions, consult the manual provided. To prolong the lifespan of a sealed lead-acid battery, try to limit deep cycling and never deep-cycle starter batteries, otherwise you will struggle to get them started again. Apply full saturation on every charge and avoid overheating.

The Best Storage Methods for Lead-Acid Batteries

If you need to put your battery into storage, keep it above 2.05V and apply a topping charge every six months to keep the battery in tip-top shape. This will help to prevent any unnecessary sulfation.

How to Dispose of Lead-Acid Batteries

Although perfectly safe when used correctly, sealed lead-acid batteries are rated as toxic and need to be disposed of correctly. This type of battery is not one that you can dispose of yourself and throw in the garbage as the electrolytes inside it are corrosive. The best way to get rid of unwanted lead-acid batteries is to ask a professional to take them away. This recycling option is also quite profitable and you can send your batteries to BatteryClerk for easy disposal. Find out more about replacement sealed lead-acid batteries in our help center section and browse our stock to find the perfect replacement for your device or equipment.