Checked the water level on my two Interstate flooded batteries this morning, and they looked good ... I think.
But ... where should the water level top off?
How much water is too much?
The water level should be between the ring at the bottom of the vent and the top of the lead plates. If you're filling, the water needs to cover the top of the plates.
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Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
The plates need to be covered.
I only used distilled water, and add until the water distorts in the "ring" below the filler cap.
I keep a turkey baster just for water.
The plates need to be covered.
I only used distilled water, and add until the water distorts in the "ring" below the filler cap.
I keep a turkey baster just for water.
This is exactly what I do, fill until I see the water level distort. I use my EZ-Red Hydrometer instead of a turkey baster. The EZ-Red Hydrometer is also useful to test condition of your batteries: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000JFHMRU..._t1_B0050SFVHO
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2021 Northern-Lite 10-2 & F350 DRW PSD, 600W Solar/Victron/600A BattleBorn
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The batteries usually come with enough acid to cover the plates..seldom up to the ring. That being said, the original acid concentration can handle dilution water up to the ring. The charging replenishes the acid concentration. Running with acid above the plates is perfectly acceptable till you get the distilled water. Try to find real distilled water, not steam distilled water... which used to be the only available type. Steam distilled water still has some salts contamination.
JCW
Technically, you are supposed to put the water level 1/8" below the plastic that distorts the water. But its really hard to judge when you are 1/8" below the plastic. Therefore, I just fill until I see the distortion. Here is Trojan's excellent "Battery Maintenance Guide": https://www.trojanbattery.com/tech-s...y-maintenance/
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2021 Northern-Lite 10-2 & F350 DRW PSD, 600W Solar/Victron/600A BattleBorn
146 nights 31,000 miles (first 10 months!)
Sold: 2018 GT27Q, 74 nights 12,777 miles
Sold: 2017 FC25FB, 316 nights 40,150 miles
Sold: 2013 Casita SD17 89 nights 16,200 miles
Vintage Kin Owner
Vintage Kin Owner
Orange
, California
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,023
Use caution -
The distilled water only needs to cover the plates, so don't overfill up to the fill ring bottoms - the level should be below, because water expands when hot. If it should overflow or boil-over with heat (normal operating heat or from a short or other electrical system problem), then you'll have acid water all over the place.
That said - I'm using AGM which require no filling & can't boil over, & others are using dry cell or Lithium (LiPo, etc.) which also can't boil over, but Lithium has other cautions.
Many battery & parts etc. shops sell Odyssey dry cell - which are also lighter than wet cell or AGM - as are Lithium. Interstate & Optima & other battery/parts shops now sell deep cycle AGM - i.e.: Absorbant Glass Mat - with gel instead of water for electrolyte, which weigh a tad less than water cell ones.
Cheers!
Tom
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Tom T
Orange CA
1960 Avion T20, #2 made, Hensley Cub, TV tbd- looking for 08-22 Cayenne S, EH, etc
1988 VW Vanagon Westfalia CamperGL (Orig Owner) + 1970 Eriba Puck
I'm certain that overfilling a wet-cell battery by 1/8" will not be a problem. I live in the Tampa Florida area where my battery operates at over 100 degrees every day, I regularly see 120 degrees in mid-afternoon. I overfill my battery by 1/8", until water distorts, in the afternoon when the battery is fully charged. I have never had a problem with the battery spilling over from overfilling. I check my battery frequently and the water level is never higher than distorted. The water level typically settles down to under the plastic by the time I'm done filling all the cells. I do not worry about overflowing my 1/8" overfilled battery.
__________________
2021 Northern-Lite 10-2 & F350 DRW PSD, 600W Solar/Victron/600A BattleBorn
146 nights 31,000 miles (first 10 months!)
Sold: 2018 GT27Q, 74 nights 12,777 miles
Sold: 2017 FC25FB, 316 nights 40,150 miles
Sold: 2013 Casita SD17 89 nights 16,200 miles
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