Does a lead acid battery lose charge over time?

We all know a lead acid battery loses charge over time, so any battery stored needs some power to replenish that lost, but not enough to damage the battery by drying it out.

What causes a lead acid battery to fail?

If you are not familiar with lead acid batteries, see our article What is a lead acid battery. Ironically one of the most common reasons for battery failure is not an actual failure of the battery itself, it is people thinking the battery is dead.

How often should a lead acid battery be charged?

If at all possible, operate at moderate temperature and avoid deep discharges; charge as often as you can (See BU-403: Charging Lead Acid) The primary reason for the relatively short cycle life of a lead acid battery is depletion of the active material.

What happens if a lead acid battery doesn't start a car?

Just because a lead acid battery can no longer power a specific device, does not mean that there is no energy left in the battery. A car battery that won’t start the engine, still has the potential to provide plenty of fireworks should you short the terminals.

How long does a lead-acid battery last?

A lead-acid battery is designed to last a finite period. It cannot last forever. When the battery is wet and is undergoing the cycle of charging and discharging, it will last about 3-5 years though depending on the usage and maintenance, the battery can last up to 7years.

What happens if a lead acid battery is flooded?

If lead acid batteries are cycled too deeply their plates can deform. Starter batteries are not meant to fall below 70% state of charge and deep cycle units can be at risk if they are regularly discharged to below 50%. In flooded lead acid batteries this can cause plates to touch each other and lead to an electrical short.