Battery Reconditioning Epsom Salt discusses a method wherein Epsom salt is used to refurbish an old and battered battery. I have found Epsom salts to be a perfect remedy for curing aches and pains.
If you ask me then, I have personally used Epsom salts for getting rid of my muscle soreness. A soak in warm water loaded with this bitter salt helps keep my muscles feeling fresh as new.
Nonetheless, in this particular article, I shall be discussing whether these salts can help refurbish an old and dying battery. Now, this could be a cell phone battery, golf cart battery or a car battery.
>>> Click Here to Learn How to Save Thousands of $$$ By Reconditioning Your Batteries at Home <<<
Contents of Battery Reconditioning Epsom Salt Write-Up
1) What is Epsom Salt?
2) What is Epsom Salt Used For?
3) How is Epsom Salt Helpful for Your Health?
4) Does Epsom Salt Rejuvenate Batteries?
5) What does Epsom Salt do to a Battery?
6) How Much Epsom Salt do You Use in a Battery?
7) Can Epsom Salt be Used in a Lead Acid Battery?
8) How to Use Epsom Salts for Reconditioning Your Car’s Battery?
9) Epsom Salt Battery Myth Busters
10) Battery Chemical Vs Epsom Salt – Which is Better for Your Car’s Battery?
11) What Chemicals are in Your Battery?
12) Does Epsom Salt Rejuvenate a Car’s Battery – My Opinion
What is Epsom Salt?
Epsom salt is a Heptahydrate derived from Magnesium Sulfate. The chemical formula of Magnesium Sulfate is MgSO4. This salt comprises of crystalline solids. This solid material can dissolve in water. Nonetheless, it cannot be dissolved in ethanol.
When we speak of Epsom Salt then, its chemical formula is slightly different from its source (Magnesium Sulfate). Chemists describe it as MgSO4 nH2O.
The evolution of Epsom salt can be traced back to Surrey. It was here where the London clay clashed with porous chalk to give rise to Epsom salt. It is a heptahydrate that is high in sulphur and magnesium.
If I were to give my opinion then, I personally use Epsom salts to relax my muscles after an exercise session. Some also use it for exfoliating their skin. Heck, I have seen Epsom salts being used in perfumes.
How is Epsom Salt Prepared?
Well, you need to take some water and dissolve salt into it. When this happens, sulphate ions are released from within the salt. The water also releases magnesium from the salt.
Some people have been known to drink this water to cure their constipation. This salt is also used as a means to cure insomnia. People claim that magnesium and ions are absorbed via the skin when soaked in this so called magical solution.
What is Epsom Salt Used For?
Well, there are several uses of Epsom salts. Most of these are linked with helping human beings avail better (mental & physical) health. Well, here is how people use these salts:
Mixing Epsom in Bathtub:
I often use this salt while soaking in the bathtub. This is the formula that I usually use while doing so. I mix about 450 grams of Epson salts in 500 ml of water. After the salts have dissolved, I fill the bathtub with water.
After making sure that the water is lukewarm, I add the dissolved salts in the bathtub’s water. I then soak myself for about 10 to 20 minutes (depending on my mood).
The magnesium content in these salts helps me recover from a strenuous exercise session. This magical water balances my lactic acid and converts glucose into energy.
For Curing Constipation:
There are many men and women that use Epson salts for curing their constipation related issues. For this very purpose, they dissolve 10 grams of this salt in a glass of water.
The natural laxative content in this salt helps you flush out blocked faecal matter easily. Basically this salt has the natural ability to ingest water into your intestinal tract. This helps ease your bowel movement.
The Beauty Tonic:
Well, many women and even a few men use Epsom salts for keeping their skin blemish free. It is mainly used as a natural exfoliate. Simply mix a teaspoon of this salt with your daily facial scrub.
Rub this mixture in a circular motion on your face. This shall help remove all impurities from the surface of your facial skin.
You can also mix some Epsom salt with your hair conditioner and apply onto your hair. This helps rebuild lost hair and provides added shine to dry and listless hair.
How is Epsom Salt Helpful for Your Health?
These salts are several centuries old. They have been used by ancient civilizations to cure various ailments. These include both physical as well as mental. Well, even FDA has approved the use of Epsom salts for curing constipation in humans.
Here are just few of their health benefits:
@ Epsom salts help you get rid of muscle aches and pains. The soreness in your muscle is also removed.
@ If you suffer from irritation and inflammation of the skin then, usage of this salt shall remove these issues.
@ Sprains, joint pains and even sunburns are removed via the aid of this magnesium rich salt.
@ It maintains stable heartbeat. This salt also cures your nagging (even splitting) headaches.
@ Muscle spasms and barium poisoning is treated via Epsom salts.
@ Expecting mothers have befitted from this salt by avoiding premature births.
@ Epsom salts is a boon for diabetics. They also cure constipation and help maintain healthy heart.
@ Epsom salts help your body absorb nutrients more efficiently. It helps your body detoxify naturally.
@ Magnesium in Epsom salts help improve your blood circulation, strengthens nervous system, flushes out heavy metals and helps stabilize your mood.
@ The sulfates present in this salt improve muscle growth, detoxify the pancreas, improves digestion and strengthens joints.
Does Epsom Salt Rejuvenate Batteries?
The answer to this question is affirmative. As I have mentioned above, Epsom salts contain magnesium and sulphur. Both these chemical compounds have the ability to remove corrosion from the battery surface/terminals. When your battery is clean and neat, it tends to function flawlessly again.
Why does Your Car Battery Die Out?
There are a myriad of reasons why your car’s battery dies out so quickly. While some of the reasons are natural and affected by the age of the battery, some are avoidable.
Well, here are some of the most common ones:
>>> The most common reason for your battery dying out is that you kept your headlights switched on. Even if you left your trunk light or glove light switched on, your battery shall die out.
>>> In case your vehicle’s electricals have a fault then, the lights of your vehicle shall not shut themselves off automatically. This needs to be rectified to save your battery.
>>> If you never clean your car battery or avoid maintenance then, your battery shall suffer. Faulty music system settings too drain your vehicle’s battery.
>>> In case your batteries are placed in extreme cold or heat then again, your batteries may get damaged in the act. Avoid freezing and super-hot conditions.
>>> Malfunctioned belts and tensioner related issues cause less power to be dispatched to the battery.
How does Epsom Salt Help Your Car’s Battery?
When the plates, separators and terminals of your car’s battery are corroded, they need to be cleaned. If you fail to do so, your battery shall start to malfunction. The sulfur deposits on your battery’s terminals need to be cleaned.
Epsom salts tend to remove the corrosion from your battery. You need to first dissolve Epsom salt in water and then place it in your battery. This results in your battery becoming sparkling clean.
The magnesium and sulfur ions present in the Epsom salts tend to remove corrosion from the surface of your battery. As this is a heptahydrate, it contains oxygen, sulfur and magnesium. This combination helps remove corrosion from the battery’s surface.
What does Epsom Salt do to a Battery?
Popularly known as magnesium sulfate, this bitter salt is a natural cleansing agent. I have explained its immense exfoliating properties in the sub-headers above. The chemical formula of this salt is MgSO4.
With a melting point of over 200 degree Celsius and PH balance of 6, it helps absorb water present in the surface. The hygroscopic nature of Epsom salts makes it a natural de-corrosion agent. When applied to the battery terminals and plates, it removes corrosion.
How Much Epsom Salt do You Use in a Battery?
There is no specific measurement that you need to follow. It all depends on your personal discretion. Nonetheless, it is advised that you dissolve a pound of Epsom salt in a gallon of distilled water.
Please make note of the fact that you should not dissolve the salt in normal water. What I do differently is that I take two glasses of distilled water and heat them in a pan.
When the temperature of the water is around 65 degrees Celsius, I add 200 grams of Epsom salt to it. After allowing this bitter salt to dissolve completely, I mix the solution to a gallon of normal distilled water. To this mixture, I add a pound of baking soda as well.
Can Epsom Salt be Used in a Lead Acid Battery?
Yes, they are very effective in ensuring that your lead acid battery remains free from corrosion. It was Gaston Plante who invested the lead acid battery back in the year 1859. Ever since, this battery type has powered hundreds of millions of vehicles the world over.
Despite it’s low energy density (80-90 Wh/L), lead acid batteries have the ability to deliver high volume of energy to the cells (180 W/kg). With a shelf life exceeding 350 cycles and the ability to withstand variable temperature (-35 degrees Celsius to 45 degree Celsius), I find these to be a boon for my car.
Sulfation and its Reversal in lead Acid Batteries:
The lead sulfate deposits onto your battery terminal and plates. This is owing to an unmaintained and malfunctioning battery. So when sulphur deposits crystallize, they destroy your lead acid battery.
Lead dioxide found on the plates of the battery reacts with lead sulfate found in the electrolyte solution. When your lead acid battery undergoes cycles, a small portion of the lead acid is left behind.
This is because not all lead acid merges with lead sulfate during the charge and discharge process. As time passes, the leftover lead sulfate transforms into solid crystals. These do not dissolve during the normal charging process.
Hence, your battery is not provided with the electric current it actually needs. As the cycles are repeated, the battery deteriorates and its performance declines.
Stratification & Explosion:
When your battery is unable to charge properly, it tends to under-perform. Naturally, your vehicle’s performance on road shall also suffer adversely. The lack of charging leads to an increase in sulfate deposits.
With time, these deposits start to get bigger and bigger. Their expansion forces the lead plates to swell and eventually crack. This forces lesser lead plates to be fortified with electric current. If this is left unchecked, your battery shall be completely destroyed.
The plates in your lead acid battery that have sulfur deposits disable the entry of electrolytes. So, this is why your battery is unable to draw full charge. In a nutshell, sulphated batteries discharge a fraction of the normal current.
Stratification of electrolytes on the lead plates of your battery can be removed via Epsom salts. Reactions of overcharge owing to sulfation can cause the liquid within the battery to stir with every twist and turn your car makes. In extreme cases, formation of toxic gasses leading to explosion in the battery is a possibility.
How to Use Epsom Salts for Reconditioning Your Car’s Battery?
Epsom salts are used to clean the metal plates of the battery. These plates are laden with sulfate crystal deposits. When the plates have been washed clean with baking soda solution, you prepare the Epsom salt solution.
Simply soak the salt in warm distilled water and pour it in the battery. This solution is mixed with half the acid mixture that was originally present in the battery. You then need to recharge the battery for 8 to 12 hours.
How to Recondition Your Car’s Battery using Epsom Salt?
The Equipment:
In order to conduct a battery refurbishing process, you would need the following:
@ epsom salt,
@ baking soda,
@ distilled water,
@ an overall/old shirt/apron,
@ a pair of goggles,
@ a pair of gloves,
@ a screwdriver,
@ a battery charger,
@ voltmeter and
@ a reader to test the battery load.
The Process:
>>> The Cover-Up:
In the very first step, you need to keep yourself protected. So, wear a pair of protective gloves and an overall. You should also cover your eyes with a pair of goggles. I also cover my nose with a disposable mask.
>>> The Inspection:
You should then remove the battery from the car by unhooking the cables. Thereafter, you need to place the battery in a clean and open space. If you do not have a yard then, place the car’s battery in a ventilated room. Check for any signs of corrosion.
>>> Cleaning the Surface:
If you see signs of corrosion on the battery terminals and plates, you need to clean them. Simply mix two tablespoons of baking soda in a glass of water.
Using a hard brush, apply this solution onto the corrosion. Bubbles shall appear from the terminal and plates. This implies the corrosion being scraped clean.
>>> Replacing Battery Cells:
Your car’s battery has cells packed in modules. You need to check their condition and replace the defective ones with new ones. You should also see if your battery’s plates are clacked or not.
>>> Preparing the Solution:
Take a litre of distilled water and heat it to about 65 degree Celsius. Mix 200 grams of Epson salt to this water. Open the caps of your battery cells. Drain out half the acid solution and refill the emptied content with the Epson salt solution.
>>> Battery Reconditioning Charger
After replacing the caps onto the battery cells, connect it to a charger. After attaching the positive charge cable to the positive terminal of the battery and the negative charge to the negative terminal, leave it overnight.
>>> The Rinse & Repeat Process:
You need to then check the battery in the morning. If the charge is complete then, your battery reconditioning process went well. If the battery is not fully charged, you would have to repeat the process again.
So, remove half the solution from the battery cells. Clean the battery terminals using a brush and baking soda solution. Fill the remainder cells with Epsom salt & distilled water solution.
Connect the battery to the re-charger and leave it to charge overnight. Check again in the morning. It should be working perfectly this time around. This process helps recondition your battery and allows it achieve 80% – 90% efficiency of a brand new battery.
Epsom Salt Battery Myth Busters
Myth # 1: Epsom Salt Bath is a Boon for Your Health
Fact # 1: Well, for the past 400 years, Epsom salt baths have been used by men and women to ease muscle soreness. While I have personally felt its benefits after a strenuous exercise session, this therapy lacks the backing of scientific evidence.
Myth # 2: Epsom Salt can help Me Lose Weight.
Fact # 2: This is not a proven fact – at least not scientifically. Nonetheless, this bitter tasting salt can aid in digestion. So, if your digestion improves, you automatically improve your metabolism. This in turn helps you lose extra body fat.
Myth # 3: Epsom Salt is Dangerous for Your Health.
Fact # 3: Well, anything in excess is harmful. This is also true with Epsom salts. Nonetheless, up to 20 grams per day is just fine. If you consume more than this amount, it may cause harm.
Myth # 4: Epsom Salt Cures Mental Disorders.
Fact # 4: This bitter tasting salt helps keep you in a positive frame of mind. In simpler words, the magnesium content in this salt helps stabilize your mood.
The spike in serotonin helps you remain bright and cheerful. This does not imply that this salt can cure mental ailments.
Myth # 5: Epsom Salt Helps You Achieve Nirvana.
Fact # 5: Well, this salt is great for the mind. Regular consumption also helps you maintain a disease free body. If your mind and body are working optimally, your spiritual growth automatically improves.
Myth # 6: Epsom Bath is Free from Side Effects.
Fact # 6: In most cases, you shall only see benefits from salt baths. Nonetheless, in some rare cases, skin related infections may arise. These include rash, itch and allergic reactions.
Myth # 7: Epsom Salt May Damage Your Battery Cells.
Fact # 7: This is not at all true. Epsom Salt contains magnesium. This chemical is ideal for removing sulfate crystals from your battery. So, instead of harming, this bitter salt helps de-sulfate your battery.
Myth # 8: I can Simply Dry Off after Soaking in Epsom Salt Bathtub.
Fact # 8: While it is a great idea to relax your muscles by soaking in a tub full of Epsom salts, you need to rinse after the soak. This is to remove any excess amount of salt from your skin’s surface.
Myth # 9: You can Soak in Epsom Salt water for as Long as You Want.
Fact # 9: No, you cannot soak in this salt solution all day long. For de-stressing your mind and body, soak for not more than 60 minutes. To remove muscle soreness after an exercise session, soak for no more than 15 minutes. To remove constipation, drink not more than 10 grams of Epson salt in a glass of lukewarm water.
Myth # 10: Epsom Salt has a 1 Year Shelf Life. You cannot use it Post a Year.
Fact # 10: This is not at all true. Epsom salt does not have any expiration date. You can use it for as long as you desire. Simply store it in a cool and dry place.
Myth # 11: Epsom Salt Soak Disturbs Your PH Balance.
Fact # 11: This is not at all true. This bitter tasting salt does not disturb your PH balance one bit. In fact, it helps your body absorb nutrients in a much better way.
Myth # 12: I can Put as Much Epsom Salt in my Bath as I Like.
Fact # 12: No, you cannot do so. I put 100 to 200 grams of this salt in an entire bath tub. You should consult a doctor or read the user manual provided with the Epsom salt pack. Never exceed the recommended dosage.
Myth # 13: Epsom Salt is Bad for Your Kidney.
Fact # 13: This salt bath is good for the kidney. Using the right amount of Epsom salt in your bathtub can detoxify your body. This shall be good for your kidney. Remember to never exceed the suggested dosage.
Myth # 14: Epsom salt can be used to Cook Food.
Fact # 14: No, this salt is not to be used for cooking food. You can use rock salt or iodized salt for cooking.
Myth # 15: Salt Bath using Epsom Cures Insomnia.
Fact # 15: Epsom salt soak cures muscle aches and pains. It also detoxifies your body. You also experience improved blood flow. This helps you sleep better. This in no way implies that this bitter tasting salt is a cure for insomnia.
Myth # 16: Diabetics Can Use Epsom Salt Soaks without any Worry.
Fact # 16: No, people with diabetes should avoid soaking in water that is laced with Epsom salt solution. Doing so shall open cracks in your skin. This leads to infection. Diabetics find it tough to fight infections.
Battery Chemical Vs Epsom Salt – Which is Better for Your Car’s Battery?
I have discussed in detail above how refurbishing an old battery is better than buying a new one. Besides saving money, this act leaves behind less carbon footprints. The end result is more money in the bank and a greener planet.
What is a Battery Chemical?
This is a chemical compound that has been created to enhance the shelf life of a battery. It is claimed that the formula used for creating this chemical is environment friendly.
So, you can simply pour this solution into the malfunctioned battery cells. Thereafter, place the battery in slow charging mode. Battery Chemical has the ability to clean battery separators as well as the plates. This is a cheap solution that is readily available.
An overnight charging shall ensure that you have a battery that is 70% as efficient as a brand new battery. This implies that you have added 4 years to the battery’s life.
What is Epsom Salt?
Epsom salt is a bitter tasting salt that contain magnesium sulfate. This is a salt that is used to maintain a healthy mind and body. The main purpose of this salt is to clean the sulfur crystals that are deposited onto the plates of the battery.
When this salt is mixed with distilled water, it tends to dissolve the sulfur crystals. This in turn ensures that your battery’s lifespan is extended. Just to let you know, sulfation is the main reason why your battery dies out sooner than expected.
Which is a Better Choice?
In my opinion, battery chemicals are not the wisest choice for refurbishing your old and dying batteries. Instead, you need to depend on Epsom salt. Both these methods keep the battery clean and prolong its shelf life.
As far as using Epson salts is concerned then, you should never hesitate even once. These bitter salts are cheaper than battery chemicals. Moreover, they recapture 90% of a new battery’s life. Battery chemicals on the other hand shall recover only 70% of a new battery’s shelf life.
In my opinion, Epsom salts would be a better choice.
What Chemicals are in Your Car’s Battery?
Battery Type:
Batteries are comprised of chemicals. They also contain certain metals. There are 5 different kinds of batteries available in the market. Let me walk you through their chemistry in brief:
@ The alkaline batteries comprise of potassium hydroxide. This is with special regards to its cathode. As far as its anode is concerned then, it is made from zinc. These are re-usable in nature.
@ The NiMH batteries comprise of nickel and cadmium. These batteries have a discharge rate that is higher than most others.
@ Batteries that make use of lithium cobalt oxide and carbon are common nowadays. They are also known as lithium-ion-batteries.
@ Batteries that have anode as zinc and cathode as manganese dioxide are termed zinc-carbon battery. Their electrolyte is comprised of ammonium chloride solution.
@ Another common battery type is lead acid. It has metallic lead as the anode. The electrolyte solution comprises of sulfuric acid.
Battery Encapsulation:
Carbonized plastic comprises of the special case that protects your battery. The battery casing can also be made from polypropylene. A couple of such layers make the case super-sturdy.
Electrolyte Solution:
The anode and cathode are the poles of a battery. To ensure that electrodes pass through these normally, the electrolyte solution is made. Of the numerous chemicals that comprise the electrolyte solution, magnesium hydroxide, sodium chloride, potassium nitrate and nitric acid are the main components.
The combination of acids and salts comprise of electrolyte. This solvent is a good conductor of electricity. It helps convert chemical energy into electrical energy.
Does Epsom Salt Rejuvenate a Car’s Battery – My Opinion
Epsom salts have been used for centuries as a natural healing agent. I have discussed extensively the use of this better tasting salt in improving your mental and physical well-being.
Nonetheless, the immense benefits Epsom salt has for your car’s battery is definitely worth a mention. By using this bitter salt, you not only manage to prolong the life of a dying battery but you also end up saving money.
Epsom salt helps remove sulfur deposits from the battery thereby prolonging its existing lifespan. When you recondition a battery using this salt, you make it 90% as effective as a new one. It is as good as having a new battery.
The cost of purchasing a battery can set you back by thousands of dollars. Moreover, when you throw a battery in the trash can, you increase environmental pollution. Regenerating an old battery using Epsom salt reduces carbon footprint.
In my opinion, it is a wise decision to recondition your old battery using Epsom salt rather than buying a new one.