Lead-acid batteriesare a common type of rechargeable battery invented more than 160 years ago. At their core, their construction is pretty simple: Two lead plates (one positively charged, one negatively charged. Unfortunately, many things can cause lead-acid battery damage. Because these batteries run on chemical reactions, when conditions are not right for the reaction to occur, the batteri. The most common mistake owners make is using lead acid in applications they are not. One of the key ways that lead-acid battery damage reveals itself is through poor performance. Is your battery not providing the juice you need in terms of voltage or total capacity? T. Overheating is always a potential risk for lead-acid batteries, especially in hot conditions or with an otherwise failing battery. While all batteries will get warm during use, lead-.