Maintaining UPS/car batteries

[bright.jupiter]

@asjdsm
There are several other shops on the same road which can provide open sulphuric acid i guess.
I bought 5 lit sulphuric acid for 500 rs with container.
4 Lbs of Epsom salt, 400 rs.
10 lit distilled water bottle, 125 rs.
Hydrometer 250 rs.

Many thanks to @talhawaleed and others on this forum for educating and sharing their inspirational knowledge.

[best.mission.joy]

@asjdsm
There are several other shops on the same road which can provide open sulphuric acid i guess.
I bought 5 lit sulphuric acid for 500 rs with container.
4 Lbs of Epsom salt, 400 rs.
10 lit distilled water bottle, 125 rs.
Hydrometer 250 rs.

Many thanks to @talhawaleed and others on this forum for educating and sharing their inspirational knowledge.

kindly elaborate on "4 Lbs of Epsom salt", did you used it to make electrolyte or it is for some other purpose?
Thanks in advance
Best Joy

[whiteangel]

Epsom salt is not used for making electrolyte.

Epsom salt (Magnesium suphate) is used to revive batteries that have hard sulphur deposits on the plates. A battery that is left in a significantly discharged condition develops this issue, thus reducing its backup time. The procedure to flush with Epsom salt has been posted by Talha bhai in the first thread.

[bright.jupiter]

@best.mission.joy

I used 10 tablespoon epsom salt in 2/3 cup of (hot-not boiling)distilled water to make super saturated solution. Put this solution equally in all cells of battery with the existing electrolyte by spoon, I did not remove any electrolyte from battery as there is enough room in each cell for epsom salt solution. Put approx 3 tablespoons solution in each cell. I'll let it remain there for one week or so. Afterwards planning to perform a flush followed by refilling fresh electrolyte of 1250sg.

The battery i have is AGS 165, performed well in the past two years(two summer seasons) with "inverex" 350watt ups. the gravity of each cell is around 1250-1260 when fully charged. Still giving me backup of 1 hour with two fans (on low-med speed)and two energy savers. Seems battery is in good conditon, and in no need of epsom salt procedure, but used epsom salt as precautionary to desulphate(if any) before flush.

Cheers

[best.mission.joy]

My two year old osaka ips 1100 charging continously on mercury radiant 2000 inverter and becomes hot and bubbling...backup is good still now 4 fans 5 energy savers used for 2 hours no low battery beep or any indication ...and each cell has gravity of 1225-1250 while charging and same ratings when i unplug the wires and give rest to batteries for cool down...and i always used ags battery tonic for topping up and my batteries never faced a heart attack of low water levels
what will be the problem...plz help
And one thing battery charging is fix at 10 amps

Hi @omer.s ,

I have faced same situation twice for 2 different reason. Irritating problem but very easy and simple solution

Reason 1:
Battery clamps were lose. Tightening them solves the problem but don't tight them too much. Just enough that they don't move up or down easily.

Reason 2:
Inner side of Battery clamps got rusty. I got new Battery clamps for Rs.90. Put little rease inside Battery clamps and on terminal and it's been 2 years and Battery clamps working fine.

Note:

Buy Battery clamps with big screws #of 13. Get a key #13 ( from hardware store) .It will be easy to open and tight the screws.

I hope it solves your problem. Kindly keep me updated

Best Joy

[best.mission.joy]

Epsom salt is not used for making electrolyte.

Epsom salt (Magnesium suphate) is used to revive batteries that have hard sulphur deposits on the plates. A battery that is left in a significantly discharged condition develops this issue, thus reducing its backup time. The procedure to flush with Epsom salt has been posted by Talha bhai in the first thread.

Thanks @whiteangel for info

Best Joy

[best.mission.joy]

Another thing, when you get the batteries brand new, and fill em with pyro magic elixir
Then the ups guy who charges your batteries to full does so with the batteriy caps completely open, allowing dust, dirt and whatnot free access. I realized this after a trip to the nearby battery dude, so does this practice negate the value of getting good electrolyte put in, as its going to be dirty anyway? Or do i just ask him to keep the caps closed ( god knows why he keeps them open anyway )

@talhawaleed  Kindly enlighten us with expert opinion.

1. Do caps need to be keep opened after putting electrolyte first time in brand new battery? Especially in summer.
2. I read somewhere during first charge, battery need dedicated charging at some specific rate, not sure though. Can we charge them at home like after flushing procedure?
   @matapatapaaa Bro, I have changed by battery dealer because after charging there is visible balls of soil at top. I guess they practice this dishonest procedure to make sure that battery last only a year. Next time, before buying, negotiate the conditions under which battery will be charged. Usually buying battery is like annual ritual ( for those who don't have quality electrolyte and right ups settings), I know many people who travels miles and miles to purchase battery, to avoid such dishonest battery dealers. I happy that you are on right track though (y)

Thanks in addvance
Best Joy

[best.mission.joy]

@best.mission.joy

I used 10 tablespoon epsom salt in 2/3 cup of (hot-not boiling)distilled water to make super saturated solution. Put this solution equally in all cells of battery with the existing electrolyte by spoon, I did not remove any electrolyte from battery as there is enough room in each cell for epsom salt solution. Put approx 3 tablespoons solution in each cell. I'll let it remain there for one week or so. Afterwards planning to perform a flush followed by refilling fresh electrolyte of 1250sg.

The battery i have is AGS 165, performed well in the past two years(two summer seasons) with "inverex" 350watt ups. the gravity of each cell is around 1250-1260 when fully charged. Still giving me backup of 1 hour with two fans (on low-med speed)and two energy savers. Seems battery is in good conditon, and in no need of epsom salt procedure, but used epsom salt as precautionary to desulphate(if any) before flush.

Cheers

@dirty.venus thanks for kind reply and detail.

Best Joy

[omer.s]

Hi @omer.s ,

I have faced same situation twice for 2 different reason. Irritating problem but very easy and simple solution

Reason 1:
Battery clamps were lose. Tightening them solves the problem but don't tight them too much. Just enough that they don't move up or down easily.

Reason 2:
Inner side of Battery clamps got rusty. I got new Battery clamps for Rs.90. Put little rease inside Battery clamps and on terminal and it's been 2 years and Battery clamps working fine.

Note:

Buy Battery clamps with big screws #of 13. Get a key #13 ( from hardware store) .It will be easy to open and tight the screws.

I hope it solves your problem. Kindly keep me updated

Best Joy

I opened all the clamps and cleans them then applied little grease and tight them hope so problems solves in couple of days

[wasim625]

I opened all the clamps and cleans them then applied little grease and tight them hope so problems solves in couple of days

Greasing the clamps and terminals is not recomended.
It attracts even the slightest particle of dust and makes the terminals even worse.
You should sand the terminals and use petroluem jelly mixed with baking soda and apply it on terminals making a good layer.

[talhawaleed]

@talhawaleed Kindly enlighten us with expert opinion.
1. Do caps need to be keep opened after putting electrolyte first time in brand new battery? Especially in summer.
2. I read somewhere during first charge, battery need dedicated charging at some specific rate, not sure though. Can we charge them at home like after flushing procedure?
@MatapatapAAA Bro, I have changed by battery dealer because after charging there is visible balls of soil at top. I guess they practice this dishonest procedure to make sure that battery last only a year. Next time, before buying, negotiate the conditions under which battery will be charged. Usually buying battery is like annual ritual ( for those who don't have quality electrolyte and right ups settings), I know many people who travels miles and miles to purchase battery, to avoid such dishonest battery dealers. I happy that you are on right track though (y)

Thanks in addvance
Best Joy

During electrolysis hydrogen, oxygen is released so it?s important that you get rid of these gases. Battery caps have a small hole to cope up with the situation. I do not keep the caps open as I fear the same thing that dust particles can get inside but I do keep them very loose initially but later after 7-8 days, I tighten them after making sure that all the holes are clean.

[talhawaleed]

My two year old osaka ips 1100 charging continously on mercury radiant 2000 inverter and becomes hot and bubbling...backup is good still now 4 fans 5 energy savers used for 2 hours no low battery beep or any indication ...and each cell has gravity of 1225-1250 while charging and same ratings when i unplug the wires and give rest to batteries for cool down...and i always used ags battery tonic for topping up and my batteries never faced a heart attack of low water levels
what will be the problem...plz help
And one thing battery charging is fix at 10 amps

If it has done two years, then clearly ups adjustment is good and formation of sulfate crystals wont be an issue. Anyway, if you have done so, then lets us know about the results. Flush, may its self will improve the backup time at this stage, since it?s been two years so it?s a needed exercise and it should be performed immediately once you feel that back time has started to go down. I hope, still all the cells are ok. Do use good electrolyte after flush.

[talhawaleed]

Luckily i got free replacement under warranty claim
2nd cell from negative side was short.

Have you though as why it was short, it can become short again. You should have added some money to buy a battery with amp-hr rating greater then 150.

[omer.s]

Greasing the clamps and terminals is not recomended.
It attracts even the slightest particle of dust and makes the terminals even worse.
You should sand the terminals and use petroluem jelly mixed with baking soda and apply it on terminals making a good layer.

Okiz i will do it tomorrow...and then i will see what happens

[omer.s]

If it has done two years, then clearly ups adjustment is good and formation of sulfate crystals wont be an issue. Anyway, if you have done so, then lets us know about the results. Flush, may its self will improve the backup time at this stage, since it?s been two years so it?s a needed exercise and it should be performed immediately once you feel that back time has started to go down. I hope, still all the cells are ok. Do use good electrolyte after flush.

Backup is quite good as inverter never beeps for battery low even after 3 fans and 3 led running continously for 3 and half hours ...maybe before the battery charges full electricity went off and batteries dont get the chance to charged fully.

[best.mission.joy]

I opened all the clamps and cleans them then applied little grease and tight them hope so problems solves in couple of days

Hi @omer.s

1. If clamps were lose before, tightening them should instantly solve the problem and ups should stop charging within couple of hours.
2. When opened the clamps did you find rust & white layer or if there is any crack? Get the new clamps if your clamps are in bad condition. It will cost you only Rs.90 or
   Do as @wasim625 said sand the terminals properly and use petroluem jelly mixed with baking soda and apply it on terminals making a good layer.

If still ups don't stop charging within couple of hours. Please follow @talhawaleed advice ASAP. Waiting for couple of days will get you fat electricity bill and battery will be damage too.

" @talhawaleed Expert opinion:
If it has done two years, then clearly ups adjustment is good and formation of sulfate crystals wont be an issue. Anyway, if you have done so, then lets us know about the results. Flush, may its self will improve the backup time at this stage, since it?s been two years so it?s a needed exercise and it should be performed immediately once you feel that back time has started to go down. I hope, still all the cells are ok. Do use good electrolyte after flush.

Thanks in Advance
Best JoY

[best.mission.joy]

Greasing the clamps and terminals is not recomended.
It attracts even the slightest particle of dust and makes the terminals even worse.
You should sand the terminals and use petroluem jelly mixed with baking soda and apply it on terminals making a good layer.

@wasim625 thanks for sharing. Kindly guide me about composition of paste? how much teaspoon of baking soda should mixed with half teaspoon of petroluem jelly or what is generic formula for mixing both.

Expert opinion @talhawaleed kindly guide me on this
Thanks in advance
Best JoY

[omer.s]

O

Hi @omer.s

1. If clamps were lose before, tightening them should instantly solve the problem and ups should stop charging within couple of hours.
2. When opened the clamps did you find rust & white layer? Get the new clamps if your clamps are in bad condition. It will cost you only Rs.90 or
Do as @wasim625 said sand the terminals properly and use petroluem jelly mixed with baking soda and apply it on terminals making a good layer.

If still ups don't stop charging please see your ups guy ASAP. Because you will getting fat electricity bill and battery will be damage too

Expert opinion: @talhawaleed kindly share your wisdom. What are the reasons that ups don't stop charging.
Thanks in Advance
Best JoY

Clamps were in good condition and there is'nt any rust or white layer on them...
One more thing this is 7th year of mercury inverter and this is my 3rd pair of batteries and before same happens to two pairs of batteries after 20 months or so....my load is around 400-700 watts and load shedding is around 8-10 houts max
And inverter guy says your inverter is perfectly fine just batteriea goes bad and there time is up .you cannot change values of cut off voltage on inverter so batteries only works untill they are in perfect conditions...

[best.mission.joy]

O

Clamps were in good condition and there is'nt any rust or white layer on them...
One more thing this is 7th year of mercury inverter and this is my 3rd pair of batteries and before same happens to two pairs of batteries after 20 months or so....my load is around 400-700 watts and load shedding is around 8-10 houts max
And inverter guy says your inverter is perfectly fine just batteriea goes bad and there time is up .you cannot change values of cut off voltage on inverter so batteries only works untill they are in perfect conditions...

Good. now its time.

Go for @talhawaleed Expert opinion bro. Perform flush. Every required detail is given in post
https://www.pakwheels.com/forums/electrical-wiring-battery-lights/153379-maintaining-ups-car-batteries#post2525873

If you hvn't done it before. You will learn valuable stuff. As you are in lahore, you can easily get new electrolyte from prochem as @talhawaleed recommended. Call Rehmaat bahi Sale supervisior of pyrochem # 0301 8405723. Better get 30 kg can of prochem electrolyte for batteries for Rs.750 and save the rest for later use or you can get the bottles of 500ml ( a carton of 12 Liter cost Rs.930). Try to further negotiate the price.

Note: you don't need to take batteries to battery guy after putting electrolyte. Charge them at home using ur ups.

Best of Luck
Keep me updated
Best Joy

@talhawaleed Expert opinion:
If it has done two years, then clearly ups adjustment is good and formation of sulfate crystals wont be an issue. Anyway, if you have done so, then lets us know about the results. Flush, may its self will improve the backup time at this stage, since it?s been two years so it?s a needed exercise and it should be performed immediately once you feel that back time has started to go down. I hope, still all the cells are ok. Do use good electrolyte after flush.

[talhawaleed]

O

Clamps were in good condition and there is'nt any rust or white layer on them...
One more thing this is 7th year of mercury inverter and this is my 3rd pair of batteries and before same happens to two pairs of batteries after 20 months or so....my load is around 400-700 watts and load shedding is around 8-10 houts max
And inverter guy says your inverter is perfectly fine just batteriea goes bad and there time is up .you cannot change values of cut off voltage on inverter so batteries only works untill they are in perfect conditions...

good electrolyte will save you from many troubles such as batteries going bad before 3 years. if its two years then try to flush and change the electrolyte.