Battery desulfation repair

[JP52]

My OEM battery only charges to a maximum voltage of about 12.4-12.5 even after driving for a long time or putting it on a charger until the charger says it is fully charged. So, I think the battery may be degraded by sulfation or something. My jeep was purchased June 22 and is an etorque so there is no aux battery to worry about. I'm not having any issues but I want my battery to be in top shape when I'm many miles from pavement. I was planning to replace it but I just read that some battery chargers can recondition batteries by using higher voltage spikes to reverse sulfation. I'm wondering if anyone has tried this and if it actually worked. I found a Noco charger that should do this, but since it costs $100 I wondering if anyone has tried this.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07W3QT226/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&th=1

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[THAW]

Are you using a multimeter on a disconnected battery (or with the Jeep asleep)?

If you're seeing 12.4-12.5 V on the dash (ignition on, engine off), remember vehicle electronics are placing a significant load on the battery, lowering voltage readings.

 

[JP52]

I'm using a multimeter with the jeep asleep. On my other vehicles I get about 12.7.

 

[THAW]

Cold can also lower voltage. But the battery likely needs to be replaced soon.

You can try the NOCO repair setting; if it doesn't work it's still worth having the charger to maintain your next battery. The NOCO Geniuses are great.

 

[roaniecowpony]

My OEM battery only charges to a maximum voltage of about 12.4-12.5 even after driving for a long time or putting it on a charger until the charger says it is fully charged. So, I think the battery may be degraded by sulfation or something. My jeep was purchased June 22 and is an etorque so there is no aux battery to worry about. I'm not having any issues but I want my battery to be in top shape when I'm many miles from pavement. I was planning to replace it but I just read that some battery chargers can recondition batteries by using higher voltage spikes to reverse sulfation. I'm wondering if anyone has tried this and if it actually worked. I found a Noco charger that should do this, but since it costs $100 I wondering if anyone has tried this.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07W3QT226/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&th=1

I have a Victron Blue Smart 12/15A with the desulfate mode. In 2023, my gmc battery had a no crank event after being parked for a while. Thought it was suspicious at the time. Charged it. A few weeks later it was weak. Decided to desulfate it. I got it to last another year. It was almost 8 years old when I replaced it.

Like others said; get a good modern charger regardless.

 

[Nvdardx28]

My OEM battery only charges to a maximum voltage of about 12.4-12.5 even after driving for a long time or putting it on a charger until the charger says it is fully charged. So, I think the battery may be degraded by sulfation or something. My jeep was purchased June 22 and is an etorque so there is no aux battery to worry about. I'm not having any issues but I want my battery to be in top shape when I'm many miles from pavement. I was planning to replace it but I just read that some battery chargers can recondition batteries by using higher voltage spikes to reverse sulfation. I'm wondering if anyone has tried this and if it actually worked. I found a Noco charger that should do this, but since it costs $100 I wondering if anyone has tried this.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07W3QT226/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&th=1

Your battery isn't toast if the resting voltage is 12.4 to 12.5V but a 100% healthy battery should have a resting voltage of 12.7-12.9V. You can try a battery charger that has a desulfation routine and that might help a little but if the battery is getting dry from hot temperatures where it has lost some electrolyte, desulfation will only help marginally. There are plenty of cheap battery analyzers online. If you get one of those it will help take some of the guess work out of determining the health of your battery.

 

[Mguy]

Your battery isn't toast if the resting voltage is 12.4 to 12.5V but a 100% healthy battery should have a resting voltage of 12.7-12.9V. You can try a battery charger that has a desulfation routine and that might help a little but if the battery is getting dry from hot temperatures where it has lost some electrolyte, desulfation will only help marginally. There are plenty of cheap battery analyzers online. If you get one of those it will help take some of the guess work out of determining the health of your battery.

My experience is that a healthy AGM will become healthier after desulfation, but an old dying AGM will not improve to any noticeable degree. However, I have not had the unfortunate experience of trying to recover a chronologically young AGM damaged by sever discharge without prompt recharge. That might be a separate situation.

Worth noting, desulfation ("repair," "conditioning," "equalizing," etc) requires a high voltage. The process is affected by temperature, but about 15.5V is required in typical conditions. AGMs, although generally resistant to catastrophic failure, can explode from a routine with excessive voltage. Not every battery manufacturer recommends desulfation.

 

[WranglerMan]

Your battery isn't toast if the resting voltage is 12.4 to 12.5V but a 100% healthy battery should have a resting voltage of 12.7-12.9V. You can try a battery charger that has a desulfation routine and that might help a little but if the battery is getting dry from hot temperatures where it has lost some electrolyte, desulfation will only help marginally. There are plenty of cheap battery analyzers online. If you get one of those it will help take some of the guess work out of determining the health of your battery.

Very sound advice, I use this one and have revamped my charging routine

https://a.co/d/b8bMkPF

 

[JP52]

Thanks all for the great advice.

@Myguy it is great to know you were able to improve your battery's condition. My battery was never discharged below 12.1 v so hopefully it is similar to your situation.

 

[Ridge2Far]

Thanks all for the great advice.

@Myguy it is great to know you were able to improve your battery's condition. My battery was never discharged below 12.1 v so hopefully it is similar to your situation.

@JP52, I noticed you have a typo when trying to address @Mguy. Perhaps he may reply after seeing this.

 

[Mguy]

@JP52, I noticed you have a typo when trying to address @Mguy. Perhaps he may reply after seeing this.

Not clear that anyone has a question. Maybe some readers want to know whether a repair routine might benefit an AGM that no longer holds a charge beyond 12.4V or 12.5V and where some discharging to 50% SOC or so (loosely corresponding to 12.1V resting) has occurred during use. The answer will depend on a bunch of factors, including,

Prompt and correct charging after discharges,
Total number of deep discharges,
Chronological age of battery,
Exposure to heat,
Design and construction of battery for deep cycle/starting capabilities,
Quality of high voltage repair device.

A good rule of thumb is don't worry about an AGM that holds a charge at 12.6V resting voltage or above. Go for repair when an AGM has trouble holding at 12.6V.

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