How automotive batteries are utilised affects how long they last. When properly charged, regularly used, and never completely depleted and often recharged, they can typically last longer than three years and even up to seven years.
Possible reasons for a battery’s short life—less than three years—include inactivity, low electrolyte levels, excessive discharging and recharging, corrosion, charging issues, or simply defective cells.
It’s ideal to make sure your battery is in top shape before embarking on a lengthy drive, or even better, carry a backup or bring a battery bank with you.
However, whether you have not yet started your journey or if you are already miles away of a garage yet – and your car battery suddenly turns ‘dead’, you can try some fixes to help you revive it.
In this article, we’ll explain to you some techniques to employ to revive your dead car battery.
Some of these fixes will require certain tools and materials, such as the following:
1. Epsom salt solution
Your automobile battery can be revived if the issue is due to a low electrolyte level by using Epsom salt (magnesium sulphate) to create an electrolyte solution.
For information on how to check the electrolyte level in your battery, see this article.
Since epsom salt is a more potent acid and contains a range of hydrates, it may be able to shift the chemical scales in favour of the engine-starting charge.
Mix 3 parts warm, distilled water with 1 part Epsom salt (magnesium sulphate) to create an epsom salt solution.
Add enough electrolyte solution to each cell so that the plates are covered by 1/4 to 1/2 of it. Refer to this article for a more thorough explanation of the procedure.
2. The Method of Hard Hand Cranking
You must jack up the rear wheel drive and utilise axle stands to increase its support in order to apply the “hand cranking method.”
The car must be put in fifth gear with the ignition switched on after the front wheels have been properly chocked by positioning the chock in the centre and square to the tyre.
To rotate the wheel in the usual direction, tie a rope around the driving tyre. Then, make a strong pull in order to start the engine.
3. Using a Chainsaw
The alternator, which is found on the engine, can be driven and the battery can be charged using the “chainsaw method.” To begin, you must first delete the chain, blade, and the spoked drive sprocket from the chainsaw to make it look like a pulley.
Then remove the drive belts from the alternator. Use the belt to connect the chainsaw drive spindle and the alternator drive pulley.
Engage your drive belt and start the chainsaw while applying gentle pressure on the belt.
Keep it going until it starts to charge the battery. While this method works, it can be potentially risky because unguarded belts can go spinning at high speed. Take extra precaution when doing this procedure, or don’t attempt it altogether if you’re unsure.
4. Employ an aspirin solution
Making a solution with aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) and distilled water will allow you to chemically change the electrolyte mixture.
Crush 12 350 mg or 500 mg aspirin tablets, and then mix the powdered aspirin with about 6 oz of warm, pure water to create an aspirin and water solution.
Then fill in each cell with an equal quantity. To cover the plates, you might need to add more water.
5. Using an 18-Volt drill battery
The 18-volt drill battery technique functions similarly to a jump start. A fully charged 18-volt drill battery and jump leads are required for this.
These are available from auto shops. You must improvise a connection between your dead car battery and the 18-volt drill battery using the jump leads or other means. As with a typical jump start technique, this enables the drill battery to connect to the dead battery.
6. Use distilled water, please
In order to give the engine a few more rotations, adding distilled water might assist immerse the plates and promote greater reaction. If the issue is brought on by low electrolyte levels, this will assist. Distilled water should only be used to enhance electrolytes.
I hope this helps!
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