There are situations in which the car battery is intermittent or simply does not work. There can be many reasons, one of them is the malfunction of the terminals. To get rid of technical malfunctions, it is worth disassembling methods for self-restoration of the connection.
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Why do the terminals go bad?
The following items can be distinguished as the main causes of damage to the battery terminal:
- physical deterioration. If the car has been used for more than a dozen years, and the battery is constantly reconnecting, then we can talk about the risks of damage to the connection elements.
- electrolyte has come into contact. This usually occurs due to insufficiently tightened rods or a loose battery plug;
- electrolyte density does not meet standards. A similar reason is relevant if the owner of the car independently dilutes acid;
- violation of sealing, damage to the battery shell. As a result - electrolyte leakage or short circuit of the battery section;
- persistent electrical problems in the vehicle.
- flashing terminals.
Most of the above factors can be eliminated without unnecessary problems - it is enough to check the condition of the battery at least two or three times a week, and if problems arise, immediately eliminate the source, and not try to cope with the consequences.
Signs of failed terminals
Damaged terminals cannot provide the necessary connection, as a result of which the car's electrical system starts to fail. Repair is required if:
- dim light of headlights, marker lights, turn signals. In this case, the battery is fully charged;
- when the vehicle engine is started, the starter does not start the first time, or the crankshaft scrolls with a tight pull. There is a feeling that the battery is almost empty, but the driver himself is sure of the opposite;
- Other problems with the power supply. The interior light does not turn on, the audio system does not work, heating does not work, etc.
On the one hand, the signs look "cosmetic" and do not require immediate removal. On the other hand, in a critical situation, such moments can cause significant problems, so the owner should immediately think about how to fix the terminals.
What consequences may result
It is important not to delay the repair, because poorly functioning terminals directly affect the quality indicators of the battery and significantly reduce the duration of its effective operation.
If you ignore the problem, the entire electrical system of the vehicle may fail. And if the battery malfunctions, the generator is forced to endure additional loads not provided for by the factory settings, which can lead to damage to the device.
Battery terminal recovery method
You can restore the terminals on the battery yourself using three methods.
First method. Using fusing with a soldering iron. POS 30 solder (a mixture of tin and lead) is used. This material is used to connect the workpieces, while it is characterized by a lower melting point (183 degrees Celsius) than for the combined metals. Using a mold, the solder is melted and fused to the remainder of the terminal if it comes off.
This option is noteworthy in that the material used does not require high temperatures, which cannot be achieved without risks at home. However, the method has more drawbacks. First of all, this is the absence of a strong soldering of the current lead with the deposited part.
This is due to the fact that the melting temperature of the factory terminal is higher than that of solder. Therefore, this device can be destroyed in a short time due to vibration or heating from high starting currents, which are typical for freight vehicles.
The second way. Deposition of solder POSS. The remnants of the factory terminal are melted, which allows for metal-metal fusion. In this case, a stronger alloy and longer service life can be achieved.
Its disadvantage is the high melting point, when compared with a similar indicator, characteristic for the material of the car battery housing. Therefore, you should be extremely careful so as not to accidentally burn the battery shell in place of the current output.
If you do not provide all the safety measures, then the lead will simply penetrate the battery, which can cause a short circuit. But even without a short circuit, the battery will become unusable due to a violation of the density of the connection and leakage of the electrolyte out.
The third method. With which you can repair the battery terminals, the least recommended for use. It is better to use it when there is no other way. The essence of the method is the deposition of solder by welding using a graphite electrode. Thus, the current outputs are connected due to a short circuit, where only the graphite electrode from the finger battery acts as resistance.
Not every battery is designed for such loads. The risks of a complete battery breakdown are high, which makes this method relevant only in critical cases.
When is it better to replace, not repair
Remove the battery if you have the following symptoms:
- after long trips a low voltage level is shown. In the normal state, the battery should be recharged from the generator, thereby “accelerating” and giving increased values;
- the engine starts with difficulty at any time of the year. The battery simply does not hold a charge;
- the presence of an unpleasant putrefactive odor;
- the liquid inside the battery is dark. Indicates broken plates, which could trigger an explosion;
- battery for more than four years. In spite of the condition that is quite in good condition at first glance, it is recommended to think about purchasing new equipment.
So, if the battery started to fail, then you should immediately check the condition of the terminals and the equipment itself. If you ignore the problem for a long time, you can achieve even bigger problems. Therefore, it is better to immediately eliminate them by repairing the connection or replacing the battery.
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