drilled holes in battery caps to refill water, how to reseal? RTV? Plastic tape?

S

sdowney717

Joined
Oct 1, 2005
Messages
715
Location
Newport News, VA
Simply the battery was low on water as it has been a few years of use. And bat took 1/4 gallon of DI to fill up
Now I have holes to seal. I drilled a hole and used a screw to pull out the caps.
It is a sealed battery, but all batteries, if you are aware are not sealed. water has to be added at factory.
It is a Duracell, and the caps all fit flush with top.
I think will try electric tape.
 
What sized holes did you drill?
I was thinking something like wee corks set in with silicone sealer. You'll always be able to remove the cork.....or shaved neoprene or something else.

You beat my 22 oz. battery top up by 10 ounces.
Were your plates showing at all?

If you go ahead with this, I'd say do a proper job at sealing your terminals.
Sounds like some acid will be sloshing around at your address.
 
Seriously, electric tape is the best you can come up with? That'll work for maybe about 5 minutes before it comes off.

Why not just put the screw back in and leave it there? Or perhaps a bit of epoxy? Or if you are really set on using tape, get yourself some Flex-Seal.
 
Drilling (electric?) a hole in a battery?
Darwin must have been napping.
I've seen, 1st hand. a few go off.
One was life changing for the person.
 
Plates were not showing yet.
Maybe the tape will be fine, who knows.
Hole is 1/8 inch
These are standard diameter. I tried an old lift off 3 hole cap, but the holes are set to wide.
 
And they don't seem to sell push in single caps AFAIK.
Or they want some MOPAR ones for $30 a set., who knows what size those are.
It is a HDPE plastic, any HDPE plug of a similar size could work

Can't use a screw, the acid will eat the metal, and metal will get into the battery.
 
captainbeandip said:
Seriously, electric tape is the best you can come up with? That'll work for maybe about 5 minutes before it comes off.

Why not just put the screw back in and leave it there? Or perhaps a bit of epoxy? Or if you are really set on using tape, get yourself some Flex-Seal.
Click to expand...
Seriously, tape has been on there, now 30 minutes and holding.
 
Ursatdx said:
Drilling (electric?) a hole in a battery?
Darwin must have been napping.
I've seen, 1st hand. a few go off.
One was life changing for the person.
Click to expand...
No hydrogen gassing as not charging.
It sat overnight.
Drill motor is far away from bit, and outside it is breezy.
Darwin may claim you first!
 
Battery still starts engine and fast.
It might be 3 yrs old. Should last another 2 years.

So in 3 years, got to expect water usage.
And always use DI water, not tap water.
Once plates get exposed, they will sulphate.
Battery makers like new battery sales sooner than later.
 
316 is standard battery corrosion resistant. It will still slowly dissolve but needs really strong acid (like 98%). It is NOT magnetic too so easy to tell.
 
Or drive a "nylon" (white plastic) machine screw into the hole taking advantage of plastics' give.

GREAT SUGGESTION KIRA (applause-applause) "I want to thank everyone at.....

Seriously: It'd be interesting to break out every tube of sealant I (we) have and dab 'em onto a cleaned battery to see which would stick.

edit: There has to be a pictorial guide to 'battery tops'.
Q for OP: Did you hit centers...at least reasonably?
 
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