The process is called "Sulphation" (sp). The other destructive process is flaking. Pieces of the lead plates fall off and collect at the bottom of the cell. When enough falls off capacity is reduced and eventually enough collects at the bottom to short the plates. This process is from the charge/recharge cycle which is why you are ultimately limited to the # of cycles and the depth of the cycles (amount of power drawn out and replaced). The deeper the cycles the less the #, they are related. Sulphation is kind of the opposite process, it results from lack of cycles. Some people believe they can reverse the sulphation by applying an AC current for a short time to break up the coating. Never been proven to my knowledge. Lead/acid batteries have some known limitations. The Gel Cell batteries like the Optima are supposed to be better(?????). Lead/acid batteries also do not like to be overcharged, chronically undercharged, and can freeze if uncharged and cold enough. If it should freeze the plates and separators buckle and short out. NEVER try to recharge a frozen battery or one that was or jumper a car with a frozen battery. It will damage your battery charger and/or explode the battery. Batteries are only meant to last between 5-7 years. By then even a well taken care of battery has lost about 1/2 it's capacity. They also must be properly held down so they don't bounce and shake and they do not like vibration. The battery compartment must have ventilation, during a battery's cycle it releases hydrogen gas. David Teitelbaum vin 10757 --- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "John Hervey" <john@...> wrote: > > Andy is correct, Batteries that sit and not used will build up a hard > crystal substance inside and the longer it goes the worse it is. > There is nothing you can do but buy another battery. ------------------------------------ To address comments privately to the moderating team, please address: moderators@xxxxxxxxxxx For more info on the list, tech articles, cars for sale see www.dmcnews.com To search the archives or view files, log in at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnewsYahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dmcnews/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:dmcnews-digest@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx mailto:dmcnews-fullfeatured@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: dmcnews-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/