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05-12-2011, 05:06 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 26
Morrill
, Nebraska
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,014
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Electrolyte
First question for the battery experts:
Does the electrolyte deteriorate in a battery as it ages?
The reason I ask is that I had a battery in the back of my TV that tipped over on a bumpy road. I know I should have secured it in a better way. Any way, I lost some of the electrolyte; not enough to uncover the plates when the battery is in the correct position. But the level is down.
Is there any reason I can't take some electrolyte from the old battery I removed. The old battery has a shorted cell, when charged it still has a specific gravity of 1260.
In my mind it would be better to refill the new battery to the proper level with electrolyte than distilled water. Am I wrong here?
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05-12-2011, 06:12 PM
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#2
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Ready-to-Travel
2012 30' International
Walkerton
, Virginia
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,165
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How do you know what the proper level for electrolyte is?
I would not do this by guess or by golly, as they used to say.
Pat
__________________
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Somebody, please, point me to the road.
AIR 3987
TAC VA-2
WBCCI 4596
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05-12-2011, 06:31 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,721
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If the specific gravity is 1.260 it's good. Use it.
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05-12-2011, 07:05 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2000 25' Safari
Davidson County
, NC Highlands County, FL
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,493
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If the plates are covered sufficently without adding anything to the new battery right now and the specific gravity is correct, you should be ok to use distilled water.
If the electrolite in the old battery is at correct SG, it would not hurt to use that if you want to. Make sure you do not transfer any solids.
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05-12-2011, 07:30 PM
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#5
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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If you really want to be precise, you can charge both batteries until they have the same specific gravity, then transfer fluid. I think it would be more trouble than it's worth, though.
On a related note, baking soda will help neutralize the spilled electrolyte. Do that first, then rinse with plain water.
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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05-12-2011, 08:09 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 26
Morrill
, Nebraska
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,014
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Correct Level
@pmclemore; The proper level would be determined by looking in the hole in the top of each cell. If the level is low (below the slots) the liquid looks like a round image. When at an acceptable level it will look more like the shape of a football or eyeball.
It is important not to overfill the cells as they will spill out the top while charging.
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05-13-2011, 08:44 AM
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#7
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Ready-to-Travel
2012 30' International
Walkerton
, Virginia
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,165
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But is that the level of electrolyte, or the level when water is added to the electrolyte? Sorry - it's just that I don't know. Rather, I just know enough to get into trouble.
Happy trails. Pat
__________________
--------------------------------------
Somebody, please, point me to the road.
AIR 3987
TAC VA-2
WBCCI 4596
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05-13-2011, 03:33 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2000 25' Safari
Davidson County
, NC Highlands County, FL
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,493
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Pat,
I see what you are getting at. In the case of a spill it might be best to use electrolyte, not water.
Electrolyte is a mixture of 65% water and 35% sulfuric acid. Normally, the level is low when water evaporates frorm the the acid, you replace it. How you know what the ratio is after a spill, who knows if you add water. In case of a spill, adding electrolyte makes more sense.
Alan
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05-13-2011, 07:59 PM
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#9
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Ready-to-Travel
2012 30' International
Walkerton
, Virginia
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,165
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Thanks, Alan. But I still wonder whether the correct lever for electrolyte might be to cover the plates - then distilled water to reach the correct level as described by TG Twinkie.
I just don't know answers - only questions. But then, I am an accountant (auditor) by trade.
Pat
__________________
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Somebody, please, point me to the road.
AIR 3987
TAC VA-2
WBCCI 4596
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05-13-2011, 09:03 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2011 34' Classic
Westchester Cty.NY
, / Miami FL
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,122
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the member mexray would have the answer :-)
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Ricky
2012 F150 Super Crew 5-1/2' bed Ecoboost 4x4 3.73 elec. lock diff. Propride hitch
give life. kidney & pancreas transplant 9/9/06
Ingrid-my unofficial '"World's Oldest Streamer" 1909-2008 R.I.P.
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05-13-2011, 09:47 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1978 28' Ambassador
Morada
, California
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,584
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Here!...
Go out to your tool box and install some safety glasses on your snozz...
1. If you spill electrolyte from a battery, it's best to refill with fresh 1.265 SG electrolyte to about 1/4" above the plates...the electrolyte will expand as the battery is charged so you don't want to overfill at this point...
2. Recharge the battery - check with a hydrometer to see when it's fully charged...
3. You can now top off each cell with electrolyte to the proper level - just barely to the bottom of the vent 'tube'...
4. Another 1/2 hour on the charger should mix the added electrolyte with the existing fluid...
5. Most battery shops have fresh 1.265 SG battery acid in bulk to fill your battery...it's cheap stuff!
6. DO NOT try to dump any existing acid from the spilled battery...you run the risk of allowing any 'crud' from the bottom of the battery to lodge between the plates and cause a premature failure...
7. I've used electrolyte from another battery in a pinch, but don't recommend it if you have a choice - fresh, properly mixed 1.265 SG electrolyte is the preferred route...
8. As mentioned above, when you add distilled water to cells with low fluid levels, you are actually replacing the water that's been evaporated, and restoring the proper 'mix' of water/sulfuric acid...adding water to a battery with spilled electrolyte will dilute the fluid and you'll never be able to get the SG back up to 1.265 for a full charge...
Where's my lounge chair - all this talk of batteries throws my back out!
__________________
Ray & Pat; Morada, CA
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05-14-2011, 08:09 AM
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#12
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Ready-to-Travel
2012 30' International
Walkerton
, Virginia
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,165
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Thanks for doing the heavy lifting; nice to have a knowledgeable resource.
Pat
__________________
--------------------------------------
Somebody, please, point me to the road.
AIR 3987
TAC VA-2
WBCCI 4596
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