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In a lead-acid reaction battery, there is an equilibrium point where the battery will return to if it is drained and then any load is taken off of it (i.e. you turn off the key and let it sit). This equilibrium point has (+) potential, which forces a reverse reaction: lead hydroxide drops the proton (H+ ion) and regathers with the rest of the lead plates. This process can be driven to higher potential via a battery charger or the alternator when the engine is running. The problem with running a non-deep cycle battery all the way dead is the lead hydroxide is not a strong material; a white powder that will flake off of the lead plates when any kind of shock is delivered (i.e. starting and driving). When this material breaks free from the plates, it no longer has a connection to the current flow (which would convert it back to lead) and it simply floats around in the electrolyte, wasted and no longer usable. Once this happens a few times, the lead plates deteriorate, which will not result in a loss of voltage, but rather, a loss of amperage as the voltage is a property of the reaction materials, and the amperage is based on amount of reactants (i.e. surface area of the plates). There are other factors in a lead acid battery that will detriment its performance, using tap water rather than purified water introduces contaminants (chlorine, calcium carbonate, and fluorine). When topping off a lead acid battery, be sure to use purified water, available at any grocery store by the gallon. Also, deep cycling (running from fully charged to fully decharged) tends to warp the lead plates and this reduces the effectiveness of the battery as they tend to warp and touch each other. : i was talking to my girl in the car for a few hours in the car last night with the radio on. well my 2 subs basically drained the battery and it wouldn't start. the next morning before i tried the jumper cables, i gave it one more try. it started! how the heck can a battery recharge itself like that? i have the diehard gold battery. thanks.
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