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| How often should you check the water levels in your batteries? Until now,I have always used maintanance free batteries and would appreciate some tips. I also have heard there is an additive that will prolong the life of your battery. Has anyone used this stuff? Not sure who makes it. |
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| I read about the stuff to add to the battery in Feb. Midwest Outdoors Magazine I think. I gave the mag to a buddy after I read it so I can't remember what it is called. I will let you know if I figure it out.[;)] |
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| The stuff is called Thermoil. |
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| Matt, here's the addy for Thermoil. http://www.thermoilbatteries.com/
The following is an excerpt from the presentation that Richard Moeller, REMY Battery, gave at the Milwaukee Chapter MI meeting last May.
Almost all batteries are “maintainable – maintenance free.” This means that the
electrolyte level won’t diminish to the point where the plates are exposed throughout the
life of the battery. The sequence for charging a battery during the summer is outlined as
follows:
1. Remove the cap or tops of the battery.
2. View the electrolyte level in each cell with the aid of a flashlight.
3. Charge the battery if the electrolyte covers each of the plates in all of the cells.
4. Top off the battery with water once the charging is complete.
The charging process produces gas bubbles that will expand the electrolyte. If the electrolyte is topped off prior to charging, the gas that is produced will cause the electrolyte to spill out of the battery and cause confusion in the 35/65 ratio between acid and water.
Hope this helps.
Shep
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| Matt- Here's the skinny from an engineer who's worked with thousands of batteries- Before charging a wet-cell battery you should always check the electrolyte and top it off- just fill the cells w/ distilled water to the bottom of the cell filler tubes. Don't use tap water! The most predominant cause of water loss is overcharging. The filler tubes usually have a slot running up the sides. Don't fill any higher than the bottom of the tube. Then charge the battery- this mixes the water wth the electrolyte. If the battery has lost liquid, it has lost H2O component of the electrolyte mix- When you charge the battry, the new water(H2O) is mixed with the electrolyte to get a even mix and correct specific gravity (ratio of water to sulphuric acid). If you top the cells off after charging you just have useless water sitting on the top of the electrolyte. Make sure you follow the battery manufacturer's recommendations for charging. Either undercharging or overcharging your batteries will result in permanent damage & possible destruction of the battery. If you have wet-cells, get a battery hydrometer and learn how to use it.
There are also some pretty smart chargers on the market, i.e., they can save you from accidentally destroying your batteries. But they usually cost a bit more than the standard hardware store type automotive chargers.
With respect to battery additives, they're kind of like a sugar pill. If they were so great for the battery chemistry they'd already be in there! They may give you a short apparent reprieve but compared to the cost- you may be better off investing in a new battery.
Good Luck-
Al
www.icantplayfindmyfoot.com
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Battery maintanance