what is a sulfated battery

A sulfated battery is a lead-acid battery that has a buildup of lead sulfate crystals on the surface and in the pores of the active material of the batterys lead plates. This buildup of crystals is the most common cause of early battery failure in lead-acid batteries. Sulfation occurs when a battery is deprived of a full charge, and it builds up and remains on battery plates. When too much sulfation occurs, it can impede the chemical-to-electrical conversion and significantly impact battery performance. The damage caused by battery sulfation is easily preventable and, in some cases, can be reversible. Some of the common signs that a battery could be sulfated include longer charging times, excessive heat build-up, the battery not holding a charge very well or not holding a charge at all, and electronic devices not getting the required power they need. To prevent battery sulfation, it is important to ensure that the battery is charged enough to prevent it from dropping below 12.4 volts, even when it is stored at a full charge. Applying this maintenance charge will prevent sulfates from building up. It is also important to store batteries in temperatures below 75 degrees Fahrenheit and to use a desulfating battery charger to reverse the damage caused by sulfation.