Epsom Salts Battery Treatment

[dcannow]

I just couldn't resist the urge to try the "Epsom Salts" treatment on my 4yr. old Trojans.(hydrometer tested at av. of 1.216) 1 cup salts to 1qt. of boiling distilled water, stir until water is clear. I made up a qt. at a time. Used a little over one gallon total. Draw down water levels to plates with a squeeze bulb. (It takes some time). Careful with handling for disposal. Refill with solution. Recharge the batteries. 1st. reading was av. 1.218 Ran the cart until batteries showed about 65% charge. Recharged and got an av. reading of 1.228 Ran the cart again down to about 70%charge and reading is 1.238. This comes out to about 12% increase already and it may go up some more. My batteries all check fairly close to each other and have been well maintained. I have a batch of solution left over to add when necessary. It looks like the treatment is well worth the effort and is not a rocket science procedure. 3# of Salts cost me $6.97 at the drug store. If you run other threads for "De-sulficatiion" you can pick up more information. I took the quick, simple and inexpensive process and I am convinced it works.

[bokeasmowl]

this worked for my batteries for a little bit but they finally got to the point where I couldn't go 2 miles before my cart was about to shut down. Some new trojan 185's took care of that though.

[dcannow]

How old were your batteries and what level were they prior to the treatment? Mine weren't too bad and maybe that is why it seems to work. I don't think the process would bring one back to life that was really low voltage to start with. Some of the prior threads had reports of good improvement after treatment and thats why I gave it a "nothing to lose" shot.

[Fishing Dude]

Does nothing on the pores in the lead plates not recovering to small size, which is the main reason batteries wear out.

[bokeasmowl]

my batteries were pretty hit when I tried this, they were 03's, it did increase my run time but not for very long.

[dcannow]

I just googled "Battery desulfation" and there are many, many references to the process and reasons why it is effective. There are electrical or "pulse" processes as well as chemical. Use of Epsom salts is listed as ONE means of doing this. It doesn't appear to be as effective as the Pulse process but a lot less expensive. Also, I note that battery chargers are now available that have the pulse capability (pricy). There are believers and non-believers but I don't think it causes any damage and what the h--- if you get another year or two use it's a bonus. The process works so it is just method that appears to be the hangup.