Battery Water

[sailaway78]

How much and how often do you guys/gals have to add battery water. I have two group 27 cranking batteries, and two group 29 deep cycle house batteries. All four less than a year old. Almost never have to add water to the cranking batteries, but the house batteries seem to need a lot of water. Every couple of months or less,I add over a pint to each one. Is this excessive. And if so, any ideas.

 

[Ellis Rogers]

Electrolyte level

I used to add a lot of water to my batteries, too. Then I got a new 3 stage charger and I haven't had any problems. Much less water usage. My old charger was one of the old ferro-resonant types and it was cooking my batteries. New one is a Truecharge 10 that is hooked to my two Group 24's.HTH,Ellis

 

[Dave Busby]

I agree with Ellis...

I too have had a "Truecharge 10" for three years, and my battery only needs water every couple or three months, then it is only about a tablespoon or two for each cell. The Truecharge chargers are great.

 

[Jim Logan]

Mine uses more water when I use the batteries

My house bank of 2 group 27 batteries hardly ever needs water for most of the year, but when I start using the refrigeration system for the spring and summer, If I leave it on so that the load on the system is about 5 amps at a 50% duty cycle, then the batteries need water. I have a 3 stage 10 amp charger but evidently the using amps causes the batteries to need water more frequently because of the current flow through them.

 

[Charles]

Hydrocaps

Agree with the 3 stage battery charger making a big difference in the water usage of your batteries. I would add that with battery chargers the old qoute "you get what you pay for" is usually true. If you wish to cut your battery maintenance even further try Hydrocaps, put them on my house bank (630 amps) batteries a few years ago and add water about once ever six months.

 

[Al9586]

I check the batteries as a monthly habit..

I have a set of monthly maintenance activities I perform at the beginning of each month. On this list, I check all the batteries, to check for corrosion and water usage. In our five batteries, in the warmer months mostly, it has not been unusual to add a pint of distilled water total. In this monthly check, I have managed to stop budding terminal corrosion and check the wiring. I recommend it.

 

[Paul Akers]

Must also check specific gravity of the water

I just checked mine today. Over the weekend my battery display on the panel showed 12v. Usually it shows 12.5v after a run. It dropped quickly one the engine was shut off. My 3 house batteries metered at 12.3V when they were combined (connected together), but one was 10.5 when they were disconnected. This one was drawing down the whole house bank. The battery may show 12.xxVolts, but you must test the specific gravity of the water (electrolyte) to determine whether the individual cells are OK. I hade SG problems with all 3. So I ordered 3 new ones today.