by SeaMonkey » Tue Mar 10, 2009 10:16 pm
The various chemicals listed in the patent are the same ones that are used in electroplating as 'brighteners.' They enhance the 'solubility' of the plating metal in the electrolyte solution and also produce a smooth and shiny coating on the object being plated.
Since 'plating' also occurs in the lead-acid battery, and is partially responsible for the appearance of 'dendrites' on the plates which then become points of low resistance to current flow and will continue to grow unless treated.
Some of the additives made for lead-acid batteries to prevent or minimize sulfation are the oganic sulfonic acids which enhance the solubility of lead sulfate into the electrolyte.
The lead ions which are dissolved in the electrolyte make the plating of lead onto the plates possible during charge, in one direction, and during discharge in the other direction. The plating action is very slow and in very small quantities and does contribute to the reclamation of lead sulfate that might otherwise be lost as debris that settles to the bottoms of the cells.
To prevent the growth of dendrites it is necessary to 'burp' the battery cyclically at the rate of once each 30 seconds or so during charging. This is accomplished by momentarily removing the charging current and 'short circuiting' the battery terminals electronically by circuitry built into the charger. These 'burping' chargers may be home-made.
Best possible treatment regimen: Desulfator connected to the battery while trickle charging with a 'burping' circuit. While trickle charging the 'burp' rate may be slowed to once each several minutes.
For a very good 'primer' on lead-acid batteries and their rejuvenation go