Sulfated Batteries: Notes
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Continuous discharging of the battery or low electrolyte levels cause crystals to form on the plates. These crystals of lead sulphate occur when a battery is discharged. The deeper the discharge the more serious the sulphation. The sulphur molecules that form the sulphate are then absent from the electrolyte, causing the electrolyte to become inefficient.
A battery relies on clean plates and strong electrolyte to both receive charging current and offer strong current discharge. A sulphated battery can do neither. Proper recharging of the battery will remove some but not all of the sulphate. Eventually the battery plates are coated with enough sulphate that it is impossible to achieve an efficient recharge.