In the case of motive power batteries, the plate construction is tubular and does not have the porous qualities of automotive batteries. These batteries are designed to discharge large amounts of amperage over a long period of time, and do so because the size of the plates is very large. Because the plates are not porous, the sulfate simply insulates the exterior of the plates, preventing an efficient charge from occurring. The sulfation effect determines the life cycle rating of a motive power battery.

Use of the Can-PULSE Motive Power Battery Maintenance System will often remove the sulfation in as little as two charge/discharge cycles, restrengthening the electrolyte and cleaning the plates. More efficient charging can then occur, resulting in additional working hours for the motive power unit.

Another phenomenon in motive power applications is the dead cell. During a very deep discharge cycle, some plates in a cell will reverse polarity. During recharge, these cells must first receive energy to return to a zero state, and then begin recharging having achieved proper polarity. The surrounding cells, have recharged, as they did not first have to return to zero status. The cells with reversed polarity plates depress battery voltage, causing the charger to provide strong current. The result is severe boiling of the fully charged cells, and potential mechanical damage to the battery.

In the case of motive power batteries, cracks to the top of the battery case, shorted cells, and significant corrosion are leading examples of mechanical failure often caused by overheating due to sulfation.