6 reasons a lead acid battery can bulge
Batteries Bulging
- Overcharging: If a battery is charged at too high a voltage or for too long, it can cause the lead plates inside the battery to become over-energized, which can cause the battery to bulge.
- Sulphation: Sulphation occurs when the sulphur in the lead plates of a battery reacts with the electrolyte solution, forming lead sulphate crystals. These crystals can build up on the plates, reducing the battery’s capacity and eventually causing it to bulge.
- Heat: Exposure to high temperatures can cause the battery’s internal pressure to increase, which can cause it to bulge.
- Vibration: Vibrations can cause the battery’s internal components to shift, which can lead to a bulge.
- Aging: As a battery ages, it can lose its structural integrity, which can cause it to bulge.
- Physical damage: If a battery is dropped or otherwise subjected to physical trauma, it can cause the battery to bulge.
Battery Problems from Numax Batteries Bulging
Battery Problems from Numax Batteries Bulging
Why do some VRLA batteries bulge? Why do some VRLA (AGM)batteries appear “sucked in”?
So, to prevent the permanent loss of gases, Thus, recombination has time to take place. Consequently, each cell can hold approximately 1.6 pounds per square inch (psi) of pressure without venting. Batteries with very large cells, such as the BCI 4D, BC I8D, DIN 250, JIS 150, JIS 200, Of course, the electric vehicle and scrubber types, associated with Trojan batteries
Subsequently, will bulge and look swollen, somewhat as this normal pressure builds. This is especially true at higher temperatures. Because the polypropylene case is pliable, Therefore, a certain amount of bulge is normal. So, if a battery bulges severely on charge, this is not normal. It is an indication of a blocked valve or an overcharge situation. If the charger works properly, such a battery should be removed from service.
A sucked-in appearance can also be normal.
Naturally, a partial vacuum can form within a sealed battery under various circumstances. Significantly, battery temperature and ambient pressure play a role. Predominantly, the recombination and discharge reactions are responsible.
So, after charging ends, the recombination reaction continues. In particular, until the majority of the oxygen in the battery has been depleted. The total volume within the battery decreases slightly during a discharge. Surprisingly, deeply discharged batteries often have a “sucked-in” appearance. Batteries with large cells, including U.S. solar storage batteries, may display this appearance even when fully charged.
A slightly swollen battery should still be charged, but if it still looks swollen after charging, you can ignore how it looks. Many car batteries are heavily stacked with lead plates and appear to be bulging. Banner batteries have this common problem. In particular, the 019 size battery, which is common in German cars like BMW and Mercedes.
Even though some lead-acid batteries, including those with gel, can get swollen, this doesn’t affect how well they work. A heavily inflated battery, however, is a concern in other circumstances that you should investigate and address as necessary.
Seasonal factors are the most frequent causes of automobile battery swelling. The battery expands in the winter due to frozen electrolytes and in the summer due to gases that are produced when the battery boils.
Swollen Batteries Bulging can be repaired in both cases, but this is not always the best option because, most of the time, the car battery’s ability to function properly will be reduced. In these cases, buying a new battery is the best option. As a footnote some batteries such as Banner have swollen cases from the start, due to heavily packed plates being squeezed inside.
