I just let the battery be. Last time I topped off the battery in my Sentra, some acid spilled out. The problem didnt manifest itself for a few months but that spilled acid ate through some wires coming from the fuse box that is connected to the battery tray. That was a smooth $500 to have repaired, so I am now of the opinion that $100 dollars is better to spend every few years on a new battery than $500 should something go wrong.
How many of you actually top off a battery?
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I check and fill on the batteries that have caps and water every time I change the engine oil. If I'm worried about spills, I spray a little water around the base of the battery that has been pre-mixed with baking soda (alkline that neutralizes the battery acid).
Not checking the battery water level in serviceable batteries isn't as bad as ignoring the oil levels in the engine. But it's close. Both are vehicle abuse, in my jaundiced opinion.
Get stuck somewhere 100 miles from nowhere with a dead battery, and see if you agree with me. Of course, I'm in Vegas, where it's so hot most batteries are replaced within 3 years even if they are serviced because it's so hot. Every 2 years if they aren't watered.
Not checking the battery water level in serviceable batteries isn't as bad as ignoring the oil levels in the engine. But it's close. Both are vehicle abuse, in my jaundiced opinion.
Get stuck somewhere 100 miles from nowhere with a dead battery, and see if you agree with me. Of course, I'm in Vegas, where it's so hot most batteries are replaced within 3 years even if they are serviced because it's so hot. Every 2 years if they aren't watered.
You're not supposed to fill them to the brim...
It is good to check a couple of times a year.
Actually add water? Nowadays, every year or two.
It used to be a LOT different. Every few months, it seemed on many cars. they all seemed to need water if you looked.
Actually add water? Nowadays, every year or two.
It used to be a LOT different. Every few months, it seemed on many cars. they all seemed to need water if you looked.
Originally Posted By: StevieC
The Generator at home has a battery that is serviceable and I top that off with electrolyte.
I read here on BITOG years ago that adding new electrolyte rather than distilled water causes it to become too concentrated (not a good thing), as it's mainly water that evaporates and needs replacing.
I only buy batteries that have removable caps, and check the level about once a year.
The Generator at home has a battery that is serviceable and I top that off with electrolyte.
I read here on BITOG years ago that adding new electrolyte rather than distilled water causes it to become too concentrated (not a good thing), as it's mainly water that evaporates and needs replacing.
I only buy batteries that have removable caps, and check the level about once a year.
Originally Posted By: Tosh
I read here on BITOG years ago that adding new electrolyte rather than distilled water causes it to become too concentrated (not a good thing), as it's mainly water that evaporates and needs replacing.
I only buy batteries that have removable caps, and check the level about once a year.
My father in law is a chemical engineer that does ISO certification over the last 30 years and a smart @55. He insists adding battery acid when the battery was low and it boils over, rusting 1/4 of the frame under the hood when the battery is only 1.5 years old.
He wouldn't listen when everyone tells him that he should use just distill water.
I read here on BITOG years ago that adding new electrolyte rather than distilled water causes it to become too concentrated (not a good thing), as it's mainly water that evaporates and needs replacing.
I only buy batteries that have removable caps, and check the level about once a year.
My father in law is a chemical engineer that does ISO certification over the last 30 years and a smart @55. He insists adding battery acid when the battery was low and it boils over, rusting 1/4 of the frame under the hood when the battery is only 1.5 years old.
He wouldn't listen when everyone tells him that he should use just distill water.
Originally Posted By: brianl703
Quote:
Each cell had an individual cap with either a slot or knobs.
Anyone know why most all US-made/designed batteries have "ganged" vent caps instead of individual caps for each cell?
I wonder if it's a bit of mechanical discouragement (or disguise) rather than having simple screw-off caps inviting the unaware to hurt themselves on the acid inside. It might even save money by not needing to mold threads in the battery body. The more I think about it, the more I think it's about preventing injury. Is there a right answer?
Quote:
Each cell had an individual cap with either a slot or knobs.
Anyone know why most all US-made/designed batteries have "ganged" vent caps instead of individual caps for each cell?
I wonder if it's a bit of mechanical discouragement (or disguise) rather than having simple screw-off caps inviting the unaware to hurt themselves on the acid inside. It might even save money by not needing to mold threads in the battery body. The more I think about it, the more I think it's about preventing injury. Is there a right answer?
All that I can determine is that US-made batteries have had ganged vent caps since at least the mid-70s. There are some that don't (the Exides in the group 47/48 sizes). But almost all others do.
Originally Posted By: Tosh
I read here on BITOG years ago that adding new electrolyte rather than distilled water causes it to become too concentrated (not a good thing), as it's mainly water that evaporates and needs replacing.
I only buy batteries that have removable caps, and check the level about once a year.
Battery acid can be added, but only so much as to bring up the final electrolyte solution to 1280 specific gravity. Most battery manufacturers recommend adding water only for safety reasons. Should you spill water across cells at the top nothing will happen as distilled water does not conduct electricity, should you spill acid across cells consider yourself lucky that the battery won’t short and blow up in your face as electrolyte conducts electricity.
Adding too much acid, over 1280 will cause excessive gassing and excessive sulfation as there is too much molecular action inside the battery, a natural process the battery uses to bring itself back to equilibrium. This in term damages the plates, separators which increases resistance and reduces the battery’s effectiveness to produce high starting currents. To be able to add the correct amount of acid, you have to use a temperature compensated hydrometer and can be done safely as long as you know what you are doing.
Adding water has another hidden meaning, checking the battery for overcharging. Should your water evaporate rapidly requiring frequent refills your battery is telling you that it is being overcharged as it rids itself of excess energy by breaking water into hydrogen and oxygen. Adding too much water only reduces the specific gravity and increases internal resistance by a small factor, not as much as overfilling with acid causing premature sulfation and permanent damage.
I read here on BITOG years ago that adding new electrolyte rather than distilled water causes it to become too concentrated (not a good thing), as it's mainly water that evaporates and needs replacing.
I only buy batteries that have removable caps, and check the level about once a year.
Battery acid can be added, but only so much as to bring up the final electrolyte solution to 1280 specific gravity. Most battery manufacturers recommend adding water only for safety reasons. Should you spill water across cells at the top nothing will happen as distilled water does not conduct electricity, should you spill acid across cells consider yourself lucky that the battery won’t short and blow up in your face as electrolyte conducts electricity.
Adding too much acid, over 1280 will cause excessive gassing and excessive sulfation as there is too much molecular action inside the battery, a natural process the battery uses to bring itself back to equilibrium. This in term damages the plates, separators which increases resistance and reduces the battery’s effectiveness to produce high starting currents. To be able to add the correct amount of acid, you have to use a temperature compensated hydrometer and can be done safely as long as you know what you are doing.
Adding water has another hidden meaning, checking the battery for overcharging. Should your water evaporate rapidly requiring frequent refills your battery is telling you that it is being overcharged as it rids itself of excess energy by breaking water into hydrogen and oxygen. Adding too much water only reduces the specific gravity and increases internal resistance by a small factor, not as much as overfilling with acid causing premature sulfation and permanent damage.
Today's low maintenance batteries and better car chargers almost eliminated loss of electrolyte. Only people in deep south may need to top off (sparingly). Last time I did so, it was a couple of oz in some cells due to uneven loss. And that was in 2-3 year old batteries in hot climate.
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