Brown crud in lead acid battery cells

[Gerry]

My cranking battery has brown crud floating on the surface of the electrolyte in each cell. The specific gravity is OK and a high range battery tester (borrowed from another cruiser) suggests it is on the weak/OK borderline.

Should I be worried? Is there anything I should be doing to maximise/extend the life of this battery (it still starts the engine, though perhaps a bit more sluggishly than in younger days).

 

[VicS]

It probably indicates that the lead dioxide coating is falling off the anode. There may be quite a bit sitting on the bottom!

Nothing you can do about it. EDTA is claimed to prevent the effects of sulphation but once the PbO2 has dropped off it's dropped off!

Start saving for a new one!

IMHO

 

[oldsaltoz]

G'day VicS,

Some batteries have a separator plate between active plates to prevent shorting, it could be fall out form them, provided they do fall apart no reason why they will not for years.

Avagoodweekend......

 

[matelot]

Once had an argument with an outfit who sold me a lifetime gttee battery and then ran away when the battery failed saying that this deposit on the top of the acid showed the battery had been overcharged. I spoke directly to the battery maker tech dept and they said it was nothing to do with overcharging and was simply inherent in the way the battery was constructed. They did tell me what it was but I forget. Nothing to worry about.

 

[Gerry]

Encouraging news! We'll keep an eye on it. Thank you all.