Thread: battery water?

I think it would be safer to check before charging since you can damage the plates if the battery water is low. We have a motor home and we burned up two deep cycle batteries this summer traveling out west when it was really hot. I let the water get too low and fried them. $225 mistake.
SeaRay

Makes sense, thanks

I check mine monthly. I was checking it after each trip but found it a waster of time, for me. The water level barely dropped after a months use.

Your water levels shouldn't drop much at all, so it is generally only necessary to check the levels maybe twice a year. And yes, check BEFORE charging to help eliminate the possibility of damaged plates. If it is real low, check it again after they are fully charged because you will probably lose a bit of water due to it being absorbed into the oxide/paste in the plates. BTW, I work for Trojan Battery and build deep-cycle batteries for a living. I've seen plenty get fried at the plant due to under-filling during the formation process (NONE leave the plant that way though, those get scrapped), but they can take a lot more abuse than most people think. And DO NOT use tap water!!! Get a gallon of distilled water from the grocery store and use it --- your batteries will last MUCH longer!!!

I just check mine periodically, the cranking batt is easy but the TM batt is more difficult, and that's the one I use the most. I use one of those extendable mirrors and a flashlight due to the cramped space on my boat.

AND ... the recommended "time" to fill your water level back up, is AFTER you've charged the battery !! And, like Gunslinger says ... DON'T USE TAP WATER .. use Distilled Water.

But, I would think that if your water level is below the tops of your plates ... add enough Distilled Water to cover the plates, THEN charge it up, & then finish filling each section ... BUT, don't overfill them !! Just below the bottom of the vent holes is far enough.

... cp

Thanks guys. All makes perfect sense.

Originally Posted by crappiepappy

AND ... the recommended "time" to fill your water level back up, is AFTER you've charged the battery !! And, like Gunslinger says ... DON'T USE TAP WATER .. use Distilled Water.

But, I would think that if your water level is below the tops of your plates ... add enough Distilled Water to cover the plates, THEN charge it up, & then finish filling each section ... BUT, don't overfill them !! Just below the bottom of the vent holes is far enough.

... cp

x1 what CP said. Do not fill them before charging. Only make sure the top of the plates are covered. Electrolyte levels drop during discharge and rise during charge. Charging generates heat, and fluid expansion, so if you fill the batteries when discharged they will boil over when fully charged.