Five Easy Steps To Repair A Car Battery at Your Home

Each modern car is fitted with an automobile battery. It doesn’t matter if you drive an electric vehicle, a hybrid, or have an internal combustion engine, there’s a battery involved. This valuable part is often taken for granted until it doesn’t operate right. It's that horrible feeling you get when your car won't start. We will show you how to repair a car's battery at home.

A flooded lead-acid or internal combustion engine vehicle will likely have an underhood flooded lead acid battery. For a more extended driving range, the hybrid usually contains either a nickel metal hydride or a battery of lithium-ion.

In this article, we will focus solely on the 12-volt lead-acid battery that’s located in most gas and diesel vehicles. Jump starting may be required if one of the batteries dies. Reconditioning the car's battery can help you avoid this. You can save money on costly replacements by following these simple steps. 

How to recharge your car battery at home

Before starting these steps, ensure your vehicle does not contain an AGM or GEL-type battery. They are maintenance-free because they contain gel rather than liquid.

If you don't have any refill caps or AGM/GEL batteries on your vehicle, these are the steps you should follow to condition it.

Here are some steps you can follow to repair your car battery at-home:

STEP 1. Test your Battery

You can’t recondition just any battery. You must first make sure that the battery is ready for the process.
Your battery should have a reading of at least 12 V. You may be able restore normal functionality by reconditioning if your battery reading reads between 10-12 volts. However, there’s no reason to try it once the battery reaches below 10 volts if you recharged it quite recently. It is better to get a new one. 
A car battery tester can be used to test your car's battery for better results.

STEP 2 - Prepare an Electrolyte solution

The battery's electrolyte will need to be replaced. Before you move further, it’s helpful to have that solution prepared so it is ready to go.
Boil half a gallon of water. You should heat it to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. You will need to dissolve 7 to 8 ounces Epsom salts in the hot water. Place your solution aside.

STEP 3: Disconnect Battery Cell Caps

To quickly access the battery, remove the cap from the battery cells. Wear gloves or goggles to protect yourself. You don’t want to get any battery acid on you. 
Shadow plugs are required for sealed batteries. You will need to carefully drill into the shadow plugs, which cover the cell's openings. (Make sure you do not have an AGM or GEL battery and check the car battery manufacturer’s instructions).

Step 4: Replace the Battery Solution

Next, drain any remaining fluid from your battery. You will need to have a container in which you can pour the solution. You must dispose of the property. 
After the battery has been completely drained you can fill it up again with Epsom salt or water. Fill each cell with Epsom salt and water solution using a small funnel. 

STEP 5: Charging the Battery

You can either replace the batteries caps you removed or place plastic plugs in the holes that you made. To ensure that all the solution is evenly distributed, gently shake the battery. 
Use a slow charger to charge your battery. It’s best to have it charging for at least 24 hours before testing it and reinstalling it in your vehicle. 

What exactly is battery reconditioning?

Your vehicle's battery provides energy, mostly to turn the engine on. The battery powers all electronics and devices. The alternator is used to charge the battery as you drive. As it discharges regularly, sulfation happens. 

A chemical reaction called sulfation that results in sulfate crystalline buildup on the plate of the battery. A battery that has too many crystals will take longer to charge and be less efficient. You can recondition the battery to refurbish it, and get rid of sulfates. Reconditioning the battery also allows you to replenish its electrolyte solution, which makes it recharge more quickly and perform like new. 

Car Battery Reconditioning: Benefits

If your battery isn't working properly, there are two options. You can either buy a brand new battery or recondition it. It can be reconditioned or bought new. If there’s no damage to the battery, reconditioning is usually a good option. 

Automotive battery reconditioning offers many benefits. The best part is that you will extend the battery’s lifespan.

You might assume that car batteries will last for about five years. If it does, then you would replace it when it becomes inefficient. Reconditioning is a better option than replacing the battery. Reconditioning can extend the life of your battery by one to two years, so you could use your battery for seven more years. This extra time ensures you get your money’s worth out of the battery. 

Obviously, this leads right into the next benefit of a reconditioned battery – the cost savings. You will save substantial money compared to buying a brand new battery. 

Another benefit is the reduced waste. You can recycle the batteries and chemicals instead of throwing them away. This could be a way to make some extra money and start your own business. 

Prices for Battery Reconditioning

Reconditioning car batteries costs are minimal. You don’t need a lot of supplies, other than your protective gear, distilled water and Epsom salts. You will need these supplies for less than $20. That's a lot cheaper than the cost of replacing your car battery. The batteries can be used for a further year, which would be a fantastic investment.