The electric current is produced by the presence of a surplus of electrons from the negative plate that flow toward the positive plate that has a deficiency of electrons via the sulfuric acid.

In summary the chemical reaction which stores electricity in the battery involves transformation of lead sulfate in an aqueous environment into the lead on the negative plate, and the lead oxide on the positive plate, and an aqueous solution of sulfuric acid. Conversely, when the battery is used (discharged) the interaction of the lead and lead oxide with the sulfuric acid produces, lead sulfate, water and electric energy (electrons). These reactions work in both directions.

There is one tragic flaw! Lead can combine with sulfate in two different ways. The first, discussed above, is beneficial. The second way forms a crystal which does have very little or no capability to efficiently conduct electricity and cannot easily be converted back to lead or lead oxide. Every discharge leaves a fine layer of crystals on the plates which little by little reduce the available plate surface (battery's reaction area) and consequently the battery's potential to store and release electricity. As a wider and thicker area is covered with this lead sulfate crystal, the battery loses power until it is not longer worth using.

What can be done about it? How to restore a Battery?

Before covering what things can be done to restore a battery I find necessary to clarify a bit further about two divisions on the types of lead-acid batteries. The Deep Batteries and Starting Batteries, each has their own peculiarities and applications.

Starting batteries are the ones used in Automobiles; these batteries have generally many thin plates. They make the battery capable of providing as much current as it is possible in a relatively small unit. This kind of batteries is designed to be drained small amounts before they are charged again.

Deep-cycle lead acid batteries have thicker plates to aid durability, they resist more deep discharge cycles than the starting ones. Deep batteries are used in Golf carts, electric cars, are recommended for solar systems, etc. A deep cycle battery is designed to provide a moderate amount of current for a long period of time.

If they were athletes the starter battery would be a sprinter and the deep battery a marathon runner.

Car batteries are not designed to deep discharge. When you do deep discharging, active material on the plates is dropped. If you have thin plates very soon you will have holes in the plates and permanent reduction of the plate surface, consequently reduced current output and storage.

Now that we have clarified all this data on the next part we are going to go over the most common methods of battery reconditioning.

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