One for the Battery experts

I have a hydrometer but as it works on specific gravity, I was thinking prhaps it mightnt be right if the acidic concentration is out

Ron

Yes, but it also give Electrolyte Level........

Ron,

You may find this interesting reading?

It is important to check the electrolyte level in your batteries on a monthly basis (assuming your regulator is working correctly). The electrolyte level gradually becomes lower due to the electrolysis of the water into oxygen and hydrogen. This is a normal and necessary process in charging a lead acid battery.

The lead plates inside the battery must always be kept below the level of the electrolyte, otherwise the battery will be irreparably damaged. Many batteries have some sort of indicators for the minimum and maximum electrolyte levels. Generally this will be 1 to 2 centimetres over the plates. Do not overfill your battery or the electrolyte may splatter out when charging. Be aware that when approaching full charge, the volume of the electrolyte will expand due to little bubbles of gas (hydrogen and oxygen) moving to the surface throughout the electrolyte (some get trapped under and between the plates. Speaking of gas, this is a very explosive mixture if ignited by a spark or flame. Never smoke near a battery or use a match to help you see inside the battery! Turn on any torch some distance away from the battery vents, in case the switching action creates a spark.

You should also be aware that the water, which you add, will tend to initially float on the surface of the heavier electrolyte (sulphuric acid). This will give you a pessimistic reading on your hydrometer. It is suggested that you top up your batteries when they are being charged, as the bubbling action will help stir up and mix the electrolyte.

We strongly recommend that you only use distilled or demineralised water, which is sold in automotive and department stores. Do NOT use bottled drinking water, tap water, tank water or water from a creek or river or lake, or collected off a tin roof.

The electrolyte is a strong acid and it is recommended that you wear goggles while you top up the battery. If you do get acid on you, wash it off immediately with large amounts of fresh water for several minutes.

Demineralised water is usually sold in 4-5 litre plastic containers. Pouring it into the battery from the container can be an awkward task - it is easy to get acid splashing up, or to miss the hole and wash contamination on the outside surface of the battery into the acid reservoir. This can easily contaminate your battery causing severe damage.

Ron,

Also found this rather interesting of a Battery information site........It states to not add Acid......

Battery Don'ts

Don't forget safety first.
Don't add new electrolyte (acid).
Don't use unregulated high output battery chargers to charge batteries.
Don't place your equipment and toys into storage without some type of device to keep the battery charged.
Don't disconnect battery cables while the engine is running (your battery acts as a filter).
Don't put off recharging batteries.
Don't add tap water as it may contain minerals that will contaminate the electrolyte.
Don't discharge a battery any deeper than you possibly have to.
Don't let a battery get hot to the touch and boil violently when charging.
Don't mix size and types of batteries.

Guess that one answers the question outright,

dont add electrolyte.

Thanks Teabag

there are a couple missing there...

DON'T drop a large battery on your foot
DON'T drink the water from a battery
DON'T connect the jumper leads and stick it on your tongue to see what it does
DON'T sniff the evaporation during charging - it doesn't have the same effect as petrol
DON'T experiment with batteries and genitalia

Hope this helps someone out there, coz that is what the forum is all about

D-Jack

very good

cheers

Robin,

So do you just top up n accept its all ok or as good as then?

Ron

Normally yep Ron as per Teabag

Normal practise the amount of water lost is a small proportion to total.

Checking apecific gravity though occasionally is good practise.

Robin Miller

Mate,

For some of us its a hobby too, and we like to try to get the best out of our gear, cant see the drama in that.

If a post seems worthless to you, and you cant contribute a meaningful response...why reply?, just leave it alone.

Simple really.

Ron

Must admit I get pleasure out of understanding all the issues and trying to get best out of anything , and fnding out little weaknesses and things that adds don't tell you.

Generally leads to better purchase decisions to.

Robin Miller

Careful guy's, a little knowledge can be dangerous in the wrong hands......with a sarcastic tone......VTIC

QUOTE "Interested to hear views on this one " END QUOTE.

My view, if you didn't want all views positive and negitive, you should of stated so.

Not everyone agrees with everything people say you know.

Baz.

Actually folks, Redback’s post is a simplification of what to do but it is just about on the money.

For all the info posted above, and it is useful, it is also in error.

One significant error in particular, Acid is Acid and water is water but Electrolyte is the name of the Acid / Water mixture and in a number of posts above this has been misinterpreted and it needs to be clarified or you WILL stuff your batteries.

If your battery’s electrolyte is low, add water only.

Never add acid

Never add electrolyte ( a mixture of water and acid )

The only way you will loose acid from your battery is if you over fill the battery or you knock the battery over and it spills out. If this happens, you will need to take the battery to a battery sales outlet and let them correct the electrolyte levels.

Cheers

drivesafe,

Your correct though I don't see that it mis-quotes the use of Electrolyte. By the way this isn't something I wrote it was plugged from a Battery site and I have attached the site link for your perusal and correction if you wish?

www.uuhome.de/william.darden/carfaq.htm

Further to my last, for those interested:

The definition of Electrolyte and there are many;

1.The dilute solution of approximately 25% sulfuric acid (H 2 SO 4 ) and 75% water by volume in a lead-acid battery, it conducts electricity required for the battery to supply energy. A lead-acid battery may have a liquid, gelled or immobilized electrolyte.
2. The medium in a fuel cell that provides the ion transport mechanism between the anode and the cathode necessary to sustain the electrochemical process. In a PEM fuel cell, the electrolyte allows the transport of positively charged hydrogen ions (protons) from the anode, where they are produced, to the cathode, where they react with oxygen molecules and electrons to produce water.
3. A conducting medium in which the flow of current is accompanied by movement of matter;most often an aqueous solution of acids, bases, or salts, but includes many other media such as fused salts, ionized gases, and some solids.

I hope this helps, for those interested?

Hi Teabag, that’s an excellent site and I refer people to it regularly but I also point out that this site is primarily based on car battery usage and the associated problems and fixes are relating to car usage.

There is very little RV specific info there but it is still the best site relating to vehicle batteries.

Cheers