When a lead-acid battery receives too much voltage, it can lead to excessive gassing and heat, which can damage the battery's internal components and reduce its lifespan.
What happens if you overcharge a lead acid battery?
Overcharging Lead Acid batteries will damage them and can cause Hydrogen and Oxygen gas to form, leading to an explosion risk. You should never, under any circumstances, provide a voltage higher than the rated peak voltage! A charging curve limits the current into the battery until the voltage rises to the peak battery voltage.
Can a 12V lead-acid battery be overcharged?
@transistor ofc is an Internet-ism meaning "of course". A 12V lead-acid battery will not be damaged by overcharge if the voltage is kept low enough to avoid electrolysis, and the charging current is kept below 0.2C (5 times less than the Ah capacity). Some types of lead-acid battery can handle higher voltage that others.
What voltage should a lead acid battery be lowered to?
After the current reaches the cutoff point (3-5% of the C rate of the cell) the voltage should be lowered to 13.5V to 13.8V (the "float voltage"). Diagram from the excellent Battery University. Read there article on Lead Acid charging for excellent detailed information .
What is the peak voltage of a lead acid battery?
Then, the voltage is limited to the peak voltage until the current drops (to 3-5% of the C rate for lead acid batteries). Standard "12V" Lead-acid batteries are six cells; the peak charge voltage is between 13.8 and 14.7V (at 25C, this value is temperature dependent); however prolonged time at this voltage will cause damage.
What is a 'conditioning charge' on a lead acid battery?
Well there is something called an 'equalizing' or 'conditioning' charge where voltages higher than normal are applied to a lead acid battery. This is done to equalize all the cells and also is used as a desulfating process. For these processes they recommend applying between 16 and 17 volts.
Can a battery overcharge if voltage is too high?
If it is too high then it will overcharge the battery, but you might be able to add a voltage regulator to lower the voltage and limit the current to suit your battery. I'm assuming you're referring to lead acid chemistry. If the voltage (potential) is not greater then no current will flow, therefore it is impossible to overcharge.