The average life of a lead–acid battery is two to four years depending upon its manufacturing qualities and technique. However, to obtain longer life and efficient service, the following points must be kept in view:
- The battery should not be allowed to use when the emf of the battery falls to 1.8 V per cell. Otherwise, the lead sulphate of the plates partly changes to non-active lead sulphate and reduces the life of the battery.
- The specific gravity to the electrolyte should not be allowed to falls below 1.15.
- The battery should never be left standing in a discharged condition; otherwise, sulphation will occur, and the battery cells are permanently damaged.
- When not in use, the battery must be fully charged and stored in a cool and dry place.
- Great care should be taken that the acid used as electrolyte should not contain any substantial impurity. It should be colourless when viewed through a 12 cm column.
- The electrodes must remain completely immersed in the electrolyte, preferably the level of electrolyte should always be about 10 mm above the electrodes.
- Whenever the level of the electrolyte decreases due to evaporation or gassing, distilled water should be added so as to keep the same concentration of electrolyte.
- The battery should be charged and discharged at low rate so that its temperature may not rise above 45°C. The high temperature may buckle the plates and damage the separators and the battery may be totally damaged.
- The battery terminals should never be short circuited.
- While charging the polarity must be checked carefully.
- The room where the batteries are charged should be well ventilated as the atmosphere near the batteries would be charged with corresponding acid fumes.
- The flames must be kept away from the vent of the battery; otherwise, hydrogen and oxygen produced within the battery cells may get fire.
- The battery terminals should always be kept clean and periodically greased with Vaseline to prevent corrosion.
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