SLA Batteries, do I need to "break them in" when new?

[imorton]

I tried to do some research, but really couldn't find any reference to the "break-in" the new SLA batteries. It states in my Currie eZip scooter manual that SLA's should undergo a three "discharge/recharge cycle" to break-in your new SLA batteries... Never heard of that before and couldn't really find any real technical info substantiating this?

I tried to follow the manual and discharged them three times to @ 80% of DoD during the day and fully recharged them overnight. I presume they didn't mean to discharge them to 100% (or 10.5v). I thought a discharged battery meant 80% and not 100% discharge?

Since the "break-in period", I tend to use the scooter during the day and fully recharge overnight. I presume this is good and will allow me to get the maximum capacity and service life?

They say "immediately", so I hope that leaving the scooter in various states of discharge during the day and recharging overnight qualifies as "immediately"...?

I would love to hear your thoughts or experiences with this, IAN...

 

[imorton]

The more reading I do, I realize that I should plug them in any chance I get… Even if I finish using the scooter and the batteries have only discharged 15%, I should plug them in while I am going to eat lunch (20 minutes), I should plug it in even if it means a partial or incomplete charge cycle?

Do partial or incomplete recharging create any issues or does it just replenish the proverbial "gas tank" and does no harm?

What are your thoughts or experiences?

 

[Punx0r]

I've never heard of lead acids benefiting from a break-in.

BTW, a 12V battery is officially 100% discharged when the resting voltage is 11.8V

 

[friendly1uk]

We used to get our batteries in dry, and the acid from another source. It was my job to fill and charge them, so they could go on the shelf. This was at the main lucas dealer. I know nothing of a bed in procedure, and really thought I would of done if it were so.

You should keep them fully charged at all times. They do not like cycling. That's a typical sla anyway. There are deep discharge one's often called leisure batteries that are more suited, but really it is the wrong technology for our use. Even the glass mat type don't really perform. We are just dragging out old tech, because it is cheap and easy. There actually far to big and heavy for our use, with voltage sag that could hit lvc long before your empty if you have a high demand.

My battery science lesson was some years ago, but I can't see how a sla would want bedding in unless it is the gel type. Even then, a good conditioning charge should be ample.

edit: Actually.. I have fitted a large number of gels which needed a run down test the next day. Then they join the quarterly run down test rota. They all appeared to have about the right capacity, although it was not very scientific. (emergency lighting)

 

[imorton]

That's what I don't understand, don't fully discharge a Lead Acid battery, and here Currie (they made millions of scooters) say in their manual to "condition/brreak-in" their batteries with three discharge/recharge cycles….

I have attached the part of their manual that better explains it.

IAN…

 

[friendly1uk]

OK, having had a look, there wrong and so am I. Although what I did was right for car usage, Our usage is somewhat different. I would fry a new battery gently as light cycling was not an option.

Formatting of lead acid batteries occurs by applying a charge, followed by a discharge and recharge as part of regular use. Do not strain a new battery by giving it extra-heavy duty right away. Gradually work it in with moderate discharges like an athlete trains for weight lifting or long-distance running. Lead acid typically reaches the full capacity potential after 50 to 100 cycles. Do not over-cycle on purpose; this would wear the battery down too quickly.

^^ http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/how_to_prime_batteries

Even a well exercised battery does not want to go flat. They loose the plot. They can even be charged up backwards from flat, although will never reach a full charge. EDIT: I imagine there controller won't allow that deep a discharge. It should have a typical lvc.

 

[imorton]

When I called Currie and inquired about this, Customer Service just recommended that I followed the manual (that was their generic response). So I gave my new batteries a discharge to @ 20% DoD and recharged them. I did this three times, but I still felt weird about this since I had never hear of anything like it.

I even searched the web for "breaking in or conditioning a SLA battery" and the only references were to the exact same manual wording. The internet can sometimes spread wrong information especially if things are just copy/pasted from others.

Ohhh well, I might have lost a few recharge cycles, be it… I am if I keep them recharged daily, they should still last 200+ cycles

IAN

 

[dogman dan]

I believe you do "break in" lead batteries. But like break in on all batteries, it's not so much a break in as it is a matter of getting them to charge fully in the first place.

You might find you benefit from repeating that same procedure, small run, long charge for a few times anytime the battery has sat unused for a longer than usual time. The battery then seems to get used to taking up a bit more watthours before it stops charging. This may relate to the crystals I was talking about in the other thread. In other chemistries, the bms may balance the pack better.

Alternatively, just let them fully charge, like overnight. Just because the charger turns green does not always mean they are 100% charged. They are charged enough to use, yes, but may soak up just a bit more capacity if you let them sit a bit longer plugged in.

 

[imorton]

I believe you do "break in" lead batteries. But like break in on all batteries, it's not so much a break in as it is a matter of getting them to charge fully in the first place.

You might find you benefit from repeating that same procedure, small run, long charge for a few times anytime the battery has sat unused for a longer than usual time. The battery then seems to get used to taking up a bit more watthours before it stops charging. This may relate to the crystals I was talking about in the other thread. In other chemistries, the bms may balance the pack better.

Alternatively, just let them fully charge, like overnight. Just because the charger turns green does not always mean they are 100% charged. They are charged enough to use, yes, but may soak up just a bit more capacity if you let them sit a bit longer plugged in.

My "three break-in conditioning cycles" are done, so no way to go back, but I will plug in at every chance and leave them overnight to be sure that they get 100% charge.

Thanks a million for the info, IAN…

 

[Holocene]

Hi Ian,

'Breaking in' is the wrong term to describe the early part of a SLA's life-cycle. It's more like 'formatting a disk' for use in a computer. You do not need to put on extra cycles to format the batteries (that's a waste of cycles), just use them lightly at first. Also try for a 50% discharge max, whenever possible, 20% energy remaining is way too low!

SLAs gradually gain capacity during the formatting process. You'll only be able to notice this if you keep careful records of your mileage and start-end voltage. Even better if you have a cycle-analyst which measures energy used, like a fuel gauge.

Here's part of a write-up from the 'Battery University' website. BTW, they have good info on SLA 8) , but don't do so well on modern lithium chemistries.

Happy trails!
Holocene

How to Prolong the Life of Lead-acid Batteries

A lead acid battery goes through three life phases, called formatting, peak and decline (Figure 1). In the formatting phase, try to imagine sponge-like lead plates that are being exposed to a liquid. Exercising the plates allows the absorption of more liquid, much like squeezing and releasing a sponge. This enables the electrolyte to better fill the usable areas, an exercise that increases the capacity.

Formatting is most important for deep-cycle batteries and requires 20 to 50 full cycles to reach peak capacity. Field usage achieves this. There is no need to apply added cycles for the sake of priming; however, manufacturers recommend to go easy on the battery until broken in. Starter batteries are less critical and do not need priming; the full cranking power is present right from the beginning, although the CCA reading will go up slightly with early use.

A deep-cycle battery delivers 100–200 cycles before it starts the gradual decline. Replacement should occur when the capacity drops to 70 or 80 percent. Some applications allow lower capacity thresholds but the time for retirement should not fall below 50 percent because the aging occurs rapidly once the battery is past its prime. Apply a fully saturated charge of 14 to 16 hours. Operating at moderate temperatures assure the longest service times. If at all possible, avoid deep discharges; charge more often.