An equalization charge occurs when the battery is purposely overcharged after a full charging cycle. Essentially, you are charging the battery at a higher voltage than it is typically charged to help remove built-up sulfate and balance the voltage of each cell.

What is charge equalization?

What is an Equalizing Charge? An equalizing charge is just another way of describing a deliberate overcharge of the battery, and is part of a proper maintenance routine that should be performed on lead acid batteries. The purpose is to remove sulfate crystals from the battery plates.

What does an equalize charge do to a battery?

Equalizing a battery is done by applying a 10% higher voltage than the recommended charge voltage. This high level of charge frees the sulfur ions back into the electrolyte and desulfates it. The high voltage also forces the acid accumulated at the bottom of the cell to rise up and mix equally with the water.