Adding distilled water to batteries??

Status
Not open for further replies.
John F

John F

.
Apr 27, 2005
29
Newport 30 MK-III Buffalo
I bought 2 new Group 27 batteries last May (2007). I hear that I should be checking the water level in the batteries? It would be nice if batteries came with a users' manual...anyway, how often do I need to add water? How often should I check the water level? Distilled water, right?
 
Rich (P303)

Rich (P303)

.
Jun 1, 2005
772
Pearson 303 Robinhood, ME
Distilled water...

Yes. Make sure you have a battery box... with a few holes in the top to vent any gases. Can't help you with anything else. I have gone from Gells to AGM's... No problemo.
 
Terry Cox

Terry Cox

.
Dec 25, 2000
6,052
Hunter Passage 42 Shelter Bay, WA
I normally add water to our 8Ds every two months...

I check them about every two to three weeks during the summer months when they get heavier use to make sure the distilled water level is up. Terry
 
Bill Roosa

Bill Roosa

.
Jun 6, 2006
6,990
currently boatless wishing Harrington Harbor North, MD
Develop your own schedule

There is no way we can determine how often YOU should check your batteries. I'd check them every time I go to the boat till I understood how often they are needing water. Then you can lengthen the time between checks.
 
Joseph Shirley

Joseph Shirley

.
Jun 13, 2005
559
Irwin Barefoot 37 CC Sloop Port Orchard WA
Definitely use distilled water

When I was in Mexico I had to travel 20 miles to get it but I always thought it was worth it. Don't overfill the batteries The water should always be over the plates, and you fill them to the bottom of the little cylinder that forms the inside diameter of the fill hole. Generally there is a little slot in that cylinder that allows each cell to breath. If you fill them to the top they cannot breath and will blow acid up and out--- not a good thing. Have fun Joe S.
 
Fred Ficarra7897

Fred Ficarra7897

.
Jan 22, 2008
193
Hunter 34 Seabeck WA
Joe, you reminded me of the cruiser in the Caribbean that

asked us for battery water from our water maker. I told him we don't use it. We buy distilled water. Water maker water has residual salt. (small, but there) And it adds up.
 
S

Steve Dion

.
Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
John check often.

John: Check your batteries often at the beginning. This is the best way to determine how much water you are consuming. Once you know the pattern of your maintenance you can get on a regular schedule. You can purchase a filler can from the automotive stores (Kragens, Pep Boys etc). They make refilling batteries a snap. Just fill the can and push the nozzel down on the battery. It will fill it to a pre-determined level without overfilling.
 
newly anonymous

newly anonymous

.
Sep 24, 1999
1,511
Hunter H46LE Sausalito
quarterly

My batteries get heavy year use year round, but I get away with filling them each equinox and solstice. I also make certain they're full any time I equalize the bank, something I only do once a year, at best.
 
Joseph Shirley

Joseph Shirley

.
Jun 13, 2005
559
Irwin Barefoot 37 CC Sloop Port Orchard WA
I agree Fred. I have a WM also and distilled water was hard to come by

In Mexico but it was worth the trip. Joe S
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

.
Feb 26, 2004
23,348
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Another key to this is a quality charger

See the resources I noted in the C36 question
 
Paul Akers

Paul Akers

.
Dec 3, 2003
2,101
Hunter Legend 37 Portsmouth, RI
Hint: Distilled Water...

...can be bought by the gallon at Wal-Mart. Distilled water can also be taken from, but filter it, if necessary, from a dehumidifier that may be in your house.
 
C

Chuck R

So,,,,,,,,,what kind of hurt ??

How much hurt do you do to a battery if you don't use distilled water? Say purified water... ?? ooooopppppsss do I need to admit to doing this, this spring to my large house battery? Hummmmm New mid season last year, but working so far this year.
 
sailaway78

sailaway78

.
May 11, 2005
3,431
Seidelman S37 Slidell, La.
The OOOOOps factor

I can remember many years ago, when plain faucet water was all that was used in batteries. Many full service stations, ( now you know for sure how old I am ) used the little auto filler plastic cans, and used only tap water in them. Do not remember ever hearing of it harming a battery. With that said, I only use distilled water in my boat. If the batteries were low, and tap water was all I could get, I would certainly use it as opposed to nothing.
 
John F

John F

.
Apr 27, 2005
29
Newport 30 MK-III Buffalo
Thanks...another newbie question

I've never done this before and would like some direction: 1. Do I take off those rectangular caps at the top of the batteries? Is that where I fill the batteries with the water? 2. Should I disconnect all wires/connections to the batteries? They're hooked up on my boat right now. Or, is keeping the switches off enough for safety? I guess that's it. Thanks. I know I sound like an ignorant sailor on this one, but rest assured I've taken the safety courses out there.
 
sailaway78

sailaway78

.
May 11, 2005
3,431
Seidelman S37 Slidell, La.
Adding water

John, Don't remember ever seeing any rectangular caps on a battery, but that doesn't mean that they don't make them. There should be six caps on a 12 v. battery, all identical. On my golf cart batteries, which are six volt, there are three caps and there is a connection between the caps, and they all come off together. So as long as you have six caps, you have the right ones. You don't need to disconnect the cables. Probably don't really need to turn off the master switch, but I would recommend doing it. You have brought yourself to the right place for info. On this board almost any question will get you more information than you actually wanted. :)
 
Shippy

Shippy

.
Jun 1, 2004
272
Hunter 356 Harve de Grace
yes to remove rectangular cap

Nice and easy, some marine batteries are like the automotive types and have a rectangular plate covering three holes for the different cells. John - pry the cover off with a screw driver, add the distilled water (as previously described) and be careful not spill much because you will need to wipe it up. after all three are properly topped off, replace the cover and firmly push it back down in place. then do the same with the next cover on that battery. Yu do not have to disconnect anything. T
 
Bryce22345

Bryce22345

.
Feb 27, 2004
134
Hunter 410 N. Weymouth, MA
battery watering can

anyone know where to find one of the old fashion battery watering cans. use to see them years ago in all service stations. when I do a google search everything seems to be going to battery watering systems, which seems a bit overkill for a boat. Bryce
 
Stu Jackson

Stu Jackson

.
Feb 26, 2004
23,348
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Just use a small plastic cup and a funnel

unless you have some serious access issues. If you do, then use a hose and a funnel. Why spend money unnecessarily? The trick is to get a charger that doesn't boil your batteries to require water, in the first place. If you have to keep adding water, th problem is your charger. FYI, for a newbie, read the Ample Power Primer, available at www.amplepower.com. Download it and other very good info on that website, which should help you understand a lot about batteries, in addition to the good advice offered by the folks here.
 
M

MoonSailer

.
Jun 7, 2007
875
Pearson- 323- Mobile,Al
Clear plastic tubing!!!

I use about 5' piece of plastic tubing like you use for aquarium air lines. Start a siphon and put my thumb on the end. Then just go from cap to cap. The water is safely out of the way and the tubing gives a flow that is easy to control.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top Bottom