Why is Low Voltage Bad? The Downward Spiral
3. The Consequences of Depletion
So, you’re seeing low voltage. Big deal, right? Wrong! Letting a battery consistently run at low voltage can lead to a whole host of problems, turning a minor inconvenience into a major headache. The most immediate consequence is, of course, that whatever the battery is powering simply won’t work. Your car won’t start, your flashlight won’t shine, and your phone will become a useless brick.
But the problems go deeper than just immediate functionality. Deeply discharging some types of batteries (especially lead-acid car batteries) can cause sulfation. Sulfation is when lead sulfate crystals build up on the battery’s plates, reducing its ability to hold a charge. This is like plaque building up in your arteries, except for your battery! It’s a slow but steady killer.
Lithium-ion batteries, while not susceptible to sulfation, can also suffer permanent damage from being deeply discharged. Repeatedly letting them drop below a certain voltage threshold can decrease their overall capacity and shorten their lifespan. It’s like constantly stretching a rubber band — eventually, it loses its elasticity.
Furthermore, low voltage can also put extra strain on other components in the system. For example, if your car battery is weak, the starter motor has to work harder to crank the engine, which can shorten its lifespan. Think of it like trying to run a marathon with a sprained ankle — you might finish, but you’ll probably do some serious damage in the process.