Restoration of old car batteries?

I keep reading on the web how lead/acid vehicle batteries can be restored with a solution of Epsom salts. But the posters mostly say to replace the acid solution with an Epsom salts solution. I can believe them up to that point and on through the charging with the Epsom salts but don't you then have to drain the salts solution and replace it with acid and water before charging it and putting it back into service? You can't use it with no acid can you?

2013-10-25T13:09:35Z

Orion, you should Google "Epsom salts" or "battery restoration" if you really don't know where the idea comes from. The idea is the magnesium sulfate, commonly sold as Epsom Salts, would remove the sulphation in the dead battery enabling the reactivation of the battery. The web is full of people telling how to do it and also of people selling kits to accomplish the feat. I am asking, since most of those people seem to know more about donning rubber gloves than anything else, if it would not entail the removal of the magnesium sulfate solution after some time and replacing the H2SO4 solution and charging the battery. If it would now take a charge of course. Try it, you may like it.

0rion2013-10-25T05:48:48Z

Favorite Answer

I suggest you not try that. I am not sure where you heard Epsom salts.. but that's stupid no offence.

I can understand the IDEA of it, but whomever said that doesn't know what Epsom salts are.
The idea is that the battery runs on electrolytes, and recharging it would mean replacing electrolytes.. the unfortunate thing is. battery acid is.. ACID.. not salt, and its a chemical reaction between two types of metal with an acidic base liquid that generates this charge.

(small note, if the battery is starting to swell aka. puff out around the sides.. replace it immediately, it can no longer hold a charge)

The idea on Epson salts though is pretty flawed, since Epsom salts are not salt. its magnesium sulfide.. its good for helping replenish nutrients in skin.. or even the lawn.. but its not a salt. salt is sodium, not sulfide. putting Epsom salts into your battery could potentially make it foam. or explode, spraying you in acid.. so don't do that, just go to autozone or something and get a new battery. they last for 3-5 years and only cost around 60-90 bucks.. so its totally worth it.

andy500052014-05-08T16:47:09Z

buy a maintenance free battery

Fedele2017-03-05T09:33:42Z

1