The largest cause of early failure of lead acid batteries is overtopping or undertopping them, according to a free video guide to battery maintenance now available from Hoppecke Industrial Batteries.
Not only is topping up one of the biggest problems with using batteries but it is also one of the most common reasons battery companies will not honour a warranty, the guide says. Also, fork lift truck users who complain about the performance of batteries are often not topping them up properly - they don't know that when it comes to topping up batteries, too little can be just as bad as too much.
The video guide reveals how undertopping can boost acid strength in a battery which increases the corrosion rates on the plates and reduces the capacity of the cells. Conversely, overtopping can reduce the strength of the acid and diminish the performance of the battery.
The video - which includes a simple six step guide to best practice in battery maintenance - also explains why it is wrong to top up a battery before it is charged and why it is essential to use deionised and demineralised water.