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Using Epsom salt to recondition your batteries

If you have a car battery that's failed and don't want the expense of buying a new battery, there's a simple and fairly easy-to-use procedure that can help you to recondition that battery. What we're going to do in this article is learn how to recondition a battery using Epsom salt.

So what exactly is Epsom salt?
Epsom salt is actually the common name for what is chemically referred to as magnesium sulfate. There are lots of uses that Epsom salt is put to, but it can certainly be used to recondition your battery. It is not even very hard to do, and you don't need much equipment. You'll need some Epsom salt; some distilled water, and a little baking soda. You'll also need a pair of rubber gloves, as battery acid can be quite corrosive.

Reconditioning your battery
The first step in the procedure is to thoroughly clean the battery of any grime and dirt that may have collected on it, as this grime and dirt can actually be quite conductive and can short out the battery.

Now, you need to open the caps on the cells of the battery. This is just where you need to use those rubber gloves I recommended, as the battery acid really is corrosive. Do be careful. Empty out the acid from each cell into a container. Make sure that none of the acid gets on any exposed areas of your skin.

Now, in another container, take around four liters of distilled water, and to this, add about two hundred and eighty grams of baking soda - that's about ten ounces.

You need to add the baking soda in gradually, stirring the distilled water continuously to facilitate mixing. Now, you need to pour this mixture into each cell of the battery. When each cell is full, put the caps back on and shake them vigorously for about half a minute or so. The baking soda will thoroughly clean the insides of the cells of the battery. Then open the caps, and empty the solution into a separate container.

After this, take another four liters of distilled water in a separate container and heat the water to some extent to facilitate the mixing in of the Epsom salt. Once the water is relatively warm, add in about half a kilogram of Epsom salt (that's about 15 ounces). After this, obviously, you need to fill the cells of the battery with the solution of Epsom salt.

Once the cells are filled to the brim with the solution, apply a charge to the battery.
Use the charger on its lowest settings, and keep the caps off the cells, to prevent pressure building up from expansion. After the charging cycle is complete, you need to use a multi-meter to check the present output of the battery. If the battery is still not putting out power, you will need to charge it again for another twenty-four hours. Do bear in mind that the battery can put out hydrogen gas during this procedure, so please conduct the procedure in a well-ventilated area.




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