Do you guys find that you really need to add water to your batteries?
Battery water
- Thread starter Drew99GT
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Yes.
Usually after about 1 to 2 years I will find that the water level is low.
It depends on the climate, though...summers here are pretty hot.
Usually after about 1 to 2 years I will find that the water level is low.
It depends on the climate, though...summers here are pretty hot.
If you add water distelled is the better choice and add enough water to just cover the plates no up to the ring.
Yea, I've noticed a lot of moisture on the top of my 4 year old battery. Think I'll check it out.
Thanks
Thanks
Apparently you should add water to 1/8 below the well, according to Interstate.
On the other hand, I read elsewhere that you should add water till the surface tension makes the surface of the water concave, which means that it's touching the well.
I've done the latter evertime I add water and never had an overflow.
You never, ever want to let the plates be exposed to air. Once that happens that part of the plate is effectively dead and contributes nothing to the battery's output.
On the other hand, I read elsewhere that you should add water till the surface tension makes the surface of the water concave, which means that it's touching the well.
I've done the latter evertime I add water and never had an overflow.
You never, ever want to let the plates be exposed to air. Once that happens that part of the plate is effectively dead and contributes nothing to the battery's output.
If you have to add water every few months, you are probably overcharging. Your regulator is making the alternator put out too much voltage.
A normal system should be checked every 6 months, and probably only need water every year or more.
A normal system should be checked every 6 months, and probably only need water every year or more.
Always use distilled water. For the amount needed, its cheap. I add water up to the ring. If Interstate says it should be 1/8" below it cannot be a big deal. Its just a little less often I need to add water.
A gallon of distilled water doesn't cost much anyway; might as well do it right.
Every grocery store carries it.
The 'RING' has been used for 'proper water level' for as long as I can remember, 50 years anyway.
Even some, maybe all, 'maintainence free' batteries have the ring still there. Some of those can be opened if you can figure out the sealing method.
Every grocery store carries it.
The 'RING' has been used for 'proper water level' for as long as I can remember, 50 years anyway.
Even some, maybe all, 'maintainence free' batteries have the ring still there. Some of those can be opened if you can figure out the sealing method.
Thinking about it today this is what I recall:
If the battery is discharged only add enough water to cover the plates, then recharge it, then add water till the ring or 1/8" below.
This is because the water level can rise while the battery is charging and overflow.
Otherwise, fill to the ring or 1/8" below.
If the battery is discharged only add enough water to cover the plates, then recharge it, then add water till the ring or 1/8" below.
This is because the water level can rise while the battery is charging and overflow.
Otherwise, fill to the ring or 1/8" below.
IMO, sealed batteries cost only a little more, last longer, and are more reliable. Why not replace maintenance batteries with sealed units? I've had sealed batteries last 9+ years.
Because even "maintenance free" batteries lose water over time, which is exacerbated in hot climates. Also, it is sometimes handy to be able to test the battery with a hydrometer. (Yea, yea, I know some of the sealed batteries have that "eye" but it's only one one of the 6 cells).
There are, incidentally, two types of maintenance free batteries:
Sealed (which aren't actually sealed--they'd explode due to pressure if they were).
Maintenance-accessible
Almost all of the car batteries available in the US market right now are maintenance-accessible, maintenance-free batteries.
Sounds like an oxymoron but it isn't.
The chemistry these batteries use is the same as that used in "sealed" maintenance free batteries. The only difference is that you can remove the vent caps to add water (if needed) and test with a hydrometer.
You can, if it makes you feel better, ignore the fact that the battery has removable vent caps and treat it as a sealed maintenance free battery. It will last just as long that way.
Incidentally, since Johnson Controls bought out Delphi's battery business AC Delco batteries are no longer "sealed" and are maintenance-accessible.
There are, incidentally, two types of maintenance free batteries:
Sealed (which aren't actually sealed--they'd explode due to pressure if they were).
Maintenance-accessible
Almost all of the car batteries available in the US market right now are maintenance-accessible, maintenance-free batteries.
Sounds like an oxymoron but it isn't.
The chemistry these batteries use is the same as that used in "sealed" maintenance free batteries. The only difference is that you can remove the vent caps to add water (if needed) and test with a hydrometer.
You can, if it makes you feel better, ignore the fact that the battery has removable vent caps and treat it as a sealed maintenance free battery. It will last just as long that way.
Incidentally, since Johnson Controls bought out Delphi's battery business AC Delco batteries are no longer "sealed" and are maintenance-accessible.
My battery doesn't have water. I literally cut one in half with a sawzall and nothing leaked out.
Those AGM batteries are amazing..I had some in a UPS that must have been dropped. The case was cracked and nothing was leaking out.
Distilled water not tap water
What do you guys mean by ring?
I just added enough water to bring the level a bit above the separator in between each cell. Each cell opening also has a plastic tab that hangs off the hole and goes into the water - I'm thinking it's a level indicator. 1/8 inch above each separator (probably a good 3/4 of an inch above the plates) brought the level right to the bottom of the tab.
Sound about right? Don't want to overfill it and have battery acid dripping all over my paint!
I did use distilled water as well.
I just added enough water to bring the level a bit above the separator in between each cell. Each cell opening also has a plastic tab that hangs off the hole and goes into the water - I'm thinking it's a level indicator. 1/8 inch above each separator (probably a good 3/4 of an inch above the plates) brought the level right to the bottom of the tab.
Sound about right? Don't want to overfill it and have battery acid dripping all over my paint!
I did use distilled water as well.
Last edited:
Kestas
Staff member
Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
What do you guys mean by ring?
When water touches the bottom level indicator, the meniscus that is formed bends the water from flat to what appears to be a ring (or half-ring, depending on design).
What do you guys mean by ring?
When water touches the bottom level indicator, the meniscus that is formed bends the water from flat to what appears to be a ring (or half-ring, depending on design).
Been selling Deka for years. They say any water you would drink is perfectly OK.
Bob
Bob
Originally Posted By: alreadygone
Been selling Deka for years. They say any water you would drink is perfectly OK.
Bob
That's interesting. As others, I've always heard to add distilled water only.
Been selling Deka for years. They say any water you would drink is perfectly OK.
Bob
That's interesting. As others, I've always heard to add distilled water only.
Tap water varies depending on where you are. The tap water in Wyoming is barely suitable for drinking because it's loaded with dissovled rock. If you don't dry your car off after washing it, you get permanent white rings on your paint. This is the stuff that's so destructive to a battery.
Water in Dallas barely leaves any residue on paint when allowed to dry, indicating low minerals, so even though it may be loaded with chemicals, they may not effect a battery in any noticable way.
Water in Dallas barely leaves any residue on paint when allowed to dry, indicating low minerals, so even though it may be loaded with chemicals, they may not effect a battery in any noticable way.
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