The bat-aids are basically EDTA (a chelating agent) which helps remove sulphate from the plates. The sulphates form a barrier between the plates and the electrolyte, so removing them lowers battery internal resistance. The problem with the EDTA is that it doesn't break up the sulphate crystals and return them to solution, but instead binds to them, removing them from the plates, then settles to the bottom of the battery. so you are still losing the lead off the plates and the sulphate ions from the electrolyte which reduces your battery capacity over time.
the electronic desulphators are not scientifically proven to work though some folks swear by them - I don't think much of them myself, though the theory behind them is plausible.
To answer your actual question: Rolls batteries suggest a 'recovery charge' to desulphate their batteries which is kind of an extreme equalisation:- you push the voltage up to ~17v (for a 12v battery - 2.85vpc IIRC) until the current stabilises or the battery gets too hot - this help break down some of the smaller PbSO4 crystals (i.e. desulphates) but if they've formed into larger crystals even this won't help a lot.
It does sound like you are suffering a lot of sulphation considering your battery is only 3 years old, which suggests you're too deeply discharging the battery too often, or you are leaving it in a low state of charge too long, or you need to equalise it more often (unless it's the whole battery that's suffering and not just a few cells). The best way to deal with sulphation is to avoid it in the 1st place
- not that that helps you at this point.
Topic: battery sulfation (Read 5577 times)
