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How to Recondition Batteries – 12v Lead Acid

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Are you trying to learn how to recondition batteries? Well you have come to the right place! I just found this hack and honestly its the best and coolest hack I have come across in a while so I am so excited to share it with you guys! You can easily restore and recondition old car batteries, golf cart batteries, lawn mower batteries and other types of 12v lead acid batteries, using products you can buy at the grocery store! Read on to find out more!

Types of Batteries You Can Use This Technique On

There are many techniques that can be used to recondition batteries, but the one I am focusing on here is for 12v lead acid batteries. These batteries are the batteries used in cars, lawn mowers, golf carts, kids toy cars, etc. 

Disclaimer

These instructions are for 12v lead acid batteries. Follow them at your own risk. Batteries contain toxic chemicals that are harmful to humans and animals. Batteries can also explode if they are warped or near sparks. You can learn more about the dangers of batteries and what causes them to explode in this article by the LA Times. The Utility Hacker website is in no way responsible for any damages caused by this tutorial. If you are concerned, you can use the EZ Reconditioning System. This system is run by a company that has excellent customer service and can help you recondition all types of batteries, not just 12v lead acid batteries. 

Tools Needed

You will need some basic tools to do this. Some of these tools you might already have laying around the house. 

  • Gloves
  • Funnel
  • Squeeze Bulb Dropper
  • Safety Glasses
  • Drip Pan & Container (to dispose of old battery acid)
  • 2 gallon water containers
baking soda

Ingredients Needed

  • 10 oz baking soda
  • 1 gallon of water
  • 12 oz epsom salt
  • 1 gallon distilled water

How to Recondition Batteries Step 1 - Mix Baking Soda & Water

Measure out the 10oz of baking soda and mix it into the 1 gallon of warm water. Warm water will help it to dissolve quicker. Make sure it is all mixed up. You can use any kind of plastic container to mix it in. 

How to Recondition Batteries Step 2 - Dump out old battery

Set the baking soda mixture aside. Then get your old battery and remove the top cap and the small round caps that are on each of the battery cells. After you remove the caps, turn the battery upside down and dump the liquid into a pan. This is old battery acid. It will look black and dirty. Make sure you dispose of the battery acid properly. DO NOT DUMP IT INTO THE GROUD. Battery acid is a toxic chemical and should not be poured into the ground. It can get into our water sources and poison it, let alone kill the delicate eco system. 

How to Recondition Batteries Step 3 - Pour Baking Soda Mix into Battery to Clean it

Next you will get the baking soda mixture and use a funnel to pour it into the battery cells. Pour it into each cell. Then lightly replace the caps and shake up the battery. The baking soda mixture will de-sulfate the battery and remove the sulfate build up that has been growing over time. 

After you shake it up, remove the caps again and dump the battery out again into the pan. You can repeat this step to clean the battery if your battery is very old and dirty. Just make sure you dump out all of the baking soda mixture. AGAIN, DISPOSE OF THE DIRTY LIQUID PROPERLY!

How to Recondition Batteries Step 4 - Pour epsom salt mixture into battery

After you clean the battery and dump out the baking soda, you will now add the epsom salt mixture to the battery. The epsom salt mixture give new life to the battery. You can use a squeeze bulb or a funnel to add the mixture to the battery. Try to fill each cell. Then shake the battery a little bit to get the liquid to settle. Then add more mixture to the battery. 

How to Recondition Batteries Step 5 - Charge Battery

At this point you can replace the caps and charge the battery. You could still leave the caps off while it is charging to see if the charge works. You will hear the liquid start to bubble when the charge is working. It takes 24-48 hours to charge the battery. Once it is charged, you can put all of the caps back on and test it to see if it works! 95% of the time you can use this method to get a flat dead battery to come back to life. 

How Long Does a Reconditioned Battery Last?

A reconditioned battery can last another 6-12 months if it is reconditioned properly. Can you believe it?! Pretty cool. AND guess what, after those 12 months have passed and the battery dies again, you can recondition it AGAIN….up to 3 more times! So you can extend the life of your battery for up to 3 years! Isn’t that amazing! I think so. Not only are you going to save money, but you will be saving the environment by preventing the production of additional batteries in this world. 

Why Reconditioned Batteries are Good for the Environment

Reconditioned batteries are a great way to be environmentally friendly. Batteries are made from natural, non-renewable resources, such as lead and crude oil to make the plastic casings. The manufacturing of batteries is taxing on the environment, as is the transport and storage of new batteries which contributes to carbon emissions and global warming. If you recondition your batteries, you can help to prolong their lives and put a dent in the environmental impact you are making as a human on this planet. We are all in this together and every step counts towards helping our environment and preventing global warming. Everyone is important and can contribute, no matter how big or small your contribution is. It doesn’t matter, just do it! We only have 1 planet, so lets do everything we can to take care of it. 

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Utility Hacker

The utility hacker is passionate about saving people money on their utility bills and protecting the environment. I was a utility bill auditor in Texas for 10 years. I am sharing my knowledge to help people survive the crazy utility industry that we live in today.