I actually found a patent for those "gang vent caps" a while back. And if I remember correctly, one of the features is that they are flame-arresting.
Wouldn't be surprised if their use is the result of a lawsuit...
Non-Serviceable (?) Conventional Automotive Battery
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I actually found a patent for those "gang vent caps" a while back. And if I remember correctly, one of the features is that they are flame-arresting.
Wouldn't be surprised if their use is the result of a lawsuit...
My 2017 Mazda battery looks the same (has the same caps) as the one in your photo...Nah. I've had three cars made in Japan with OEM batteries that were made in Japan. They were all made with a white translucent case and with knobs or screw-off tops for each cell and min-max lines.
I don't think any of these are available for sale in the US any more. The best you might hope for is the kind with caps that cover three cells each. I've pulled off caps like those, and they don't typically have a positive seal, like with an O-ring. They just kind of snap in place. However, those types usually aren't labelled as "maintenance free".
Heck - I remember all sorts of things including the eye. Have't seen one in a while though.
All the Johnson Controls batteries with removeable vent caps have a plastic tab that sticks down from the opening. I always add water till it touches this tab, which is made obvious because the top of the electrolyte becomes convex instead of flat, which you can easily see.
Not sure if that's correct but it makes sense to me.
It's not my photo, but I think Subarus assembled in Japan usually have Panasonic batteries. I don't know how many other car battery companies in Japan other than Yuasa.
Thx All. My old Honda 51R has the ganged (3) caps... and as to the fill level, bottom line is that the plates have to be covered. There also is a high fill line of sorts (visible in each hole, i.e. for each cell) which I use. I don't typically exceed those top indicators lest it boil over with heat. I'm gonna check the Honda dealer tomorrow, and search as well for the Exide. I get treated well by Polar battery, though, and I might just stay with the batt I have if I can run it continuously (and often) in one of my cars. It was $Cdn 110.00.
Actually, now by memory, my current Honda batt is by Johnson Controls... and it has the tabs you mention... the top fill line.
Cheers, All. Thank you.
I looked it up, and I don't think they're a battery manufacturer. That's not unusual though. Quite a few brands are of companies that have batteries made to their specs and then market/support them, like Interstate Batteries.
Not sure about that design though. I don't think it's necessarily that critical - especially depending on climate. I know some in southern US climates prefer something that's easy to refill because that tends to evaporate water prematurely. Around here there's a lot of love for East Penn even though they have a "maintenance free" design that's difficult to remove the caps and refill.
This isn't for your requirement, but I found East Penn does have something with individual caps. The case is still black so it might be hard to figure out where the level is.
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I much prefer batteries that are not sealed, once the plates get sulphated, I dump the old acid out (then diluted with water and then toss some baking soda to neutralize it), clean each cell out with distilled water thoroughly, and fill with a mix of epsom salt and distilled water, and let trickle charge outside for a full day, check resistance, and clean it out again with distilled water, and add in new battery acid, then let charge for a day on low amps, and then test it to see if it is near rated amps and voltage. This has prevented me from buying batteries lol
That's a lot of work... but wow... you NEVER buy batteries? Cool.
this is also the case of my efb... antitamper plugs...over years i hear more effort from starter during winter.
imho the fluid level is decreased (it will evaporate no matter what you do) and therefore it has like measured 60% life
200€ new ,that sucks
That battery is made by Hyundai Songwoo, Hankook Atlas or Delkor(Clarios Korea) - and all of them have supplied Walmart and Hyundai/Kia with batteries. Don’t open it, those batteries along with Deka are based off the ACDelco Freedom design with a totally-sealed cover. No maintenance is needed whatsoever. The hydrometer is just in one cell reflecting SOC(can be green or a different color), if it’s black, new battery time due to fluid loss.
Panasonic and Furukawa Storage Battery does a majority of them. GS Yuasa does some - mostly the EFBs that came OEM in the 2nd-3rd gen Prius, and many motorcycles and tractors.
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Lol I have bought some batteries before, one time I dropped one of those "rejuvenated" batteries and it cracked open. But that process will save alot of money.
The kind with dual caps covering three cells each aren't typically glued on. I've done it, and they're pretty easy to remove. But they still kind of worry me - especially the possibility of overfilling where they might leak as a result.
I'm still partial to East Penn. The Group 51 Deka in my wife's Civic has been doing great, even after sitting in the driveway for months with a busted transmission and only being occasionally charged. This one is sold at Canadian Tire, and at least by the photo looks like the standard East Penn design.
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/motomaster-oeplus-group-size-51r-battery-500-cca-0105185p.html
However, this one is cheaper. The design looks familiar.
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/certified-group-size-51r-battery-410-cca-0105103p.html
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/motomaster-oeplus-group-size-51r-battery-500-cca-0105185p.html
However, this one is cheaper. The design looks familiar.
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/certified-group-size-51r-battery-410-cca-0105103p.html
I understand that but the OP mentioned prying the top of the battery case off. That seemed to be a extreme way of checking and adding the electrolyte without concern for leakage down the road.
Who knows. But it's probably dependent on the manufacturer's specific design. I would guess not, but I'd have to see how that top is connected to the case.
Here's what looks like an ACDelco battery (seems to be made by East Penn). I can't say I agree with the way this guy cracked it open, but apparently he didn't splash himself with any acid. But the top is clearly either glued or fused to the case. And he's going through the epsom salts technique mentioned here. I don't think it would be a good idea to put it back in a car as that top is not likely to seal it enough to prevent the acid from splashing out in a moving car.
Ah, no. The OP was asking whether folks had a sense for whether the top was snapped down versus glued down. What kind of idiot would wantonly take a chisel to the top of a brand new battery??? I was asking if folks had experience with that very design, i.e. whether the top comes off with no trama to the case. When I tap the top with a knuckle it appears solidly fixed to the case... so the answer is no, it will not just pop off, and no, this type of battery is not a candidate for servicing.
Checking, today, it seems like I'd have to pay substantially more for one that is serviceable. I think I'll stay with what I have and make the best of it.
I'm still partial to East Penn. The Group 51 Deka in my wife's Civic has been doing great, even after sitting in the driveway for months with a busted transmission and only being occasionally charged. This one is sold at Canadian Tire, and at least by the photo looks like the standard East Penn design.
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/motomaster-oeplus-group-size-51r-battery-500-cca-0105185p.html
However, this one is cheaper. The design looks familiar.
https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/certified-group-size-51r-battery-410-cca-0105103p.html
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