Okay, I've already nominated myself for idiot of the year award. I hesitate to even ask this question because I know I'll incur the laughter and derision of all sailors. That said, here's the problem and question. I didn't check my batteries all summer on my Beneteau 321. Two standard marine batteries. I checked them last week. They were as dry as the Sahara. I added more water than a marathon runner would drink. Just plain distilled water thinking they needed topping off. But each cell kept drinking and drinking. Had I know they were that dry to begin with, maybe I would have tried acid instead. But, I didn't know and it didn't become apparent until I was past the point of no return. So, I filled them with water. They seemed to charge and the engine started nicely. But, have I really killed them? Is there any chance of them coming back to life or are they totally fried. They've been on an automatic charger for months and no telling how long they've been dry. God forgive me.
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Switch to Lifeline
Don't feel too bad!! In my second season on my original batteries I put a gallon in each 4D and 1/3 gallon of distilled water in my Group 24 starting battery. That was in mid summer and I waited until haul out in December to change them out. I bought Lifeline AGM and am now maintenance free! Well worth the money. I think the Lifeline batteries will be much cheaper in the long run, plus I don't have to fool with them.
Don't feel too bad!! In my second season on my original batteries I put a gallon in each 4D and 1/3 gallon of distilled water in my Group 24 starting battery. That was in mid summer and I waited until haul out in December to change them out. I bought Lifeline AGM and am now maintenance free! Well worth the money. I think the Lifeline batteries will be much cheaper in the long run, plus I don't have to fool with them.
Test
I would think they are done but one sure way to find out is to take them off the charger and see if and how long they hold the charge. That would be the acid test. Sorry couldn't help it
I would think they are done but one sure way to find out is to take them off the charger and see if and how long they hold the charge. That would be the acid test. Sorry couldn't help it
They are usually toast.
You never need to ad acid as the acid doesn't evaporate. Only the water evaporates. I would feel a whole lot better replacing them, than having to count on them when you need to start the engine because your boat is drifting for the rocks.
You never need to ad acid as the acid doesn't evaporate. Only the water evaporates. I would feel a whole lot better replacing them, than having to count on them when you need to start the engine because your boat is drifting for the rocks.
charging problems
If your batteries were that low on water they are being overcharged. You need to check out your charging system(s). Use a 3 stage smartcharger for charging from shorepower and check your engine charging system. 3 stage smart voltage regulators are available for the engine alternator depending on the brand of alternator you have.
If your batteries were that low on water they are being overcharged. You need to check out your charging system(s). Use a 3 stage smartcharger for charging from shorepower and check your engine charging system. 3 stage smart voltage regulators are available for the engine alternator depending on the brand of alternator you have.
could have been worse
At least it was the water in the battery and not the oil in the engine that ran out! We all have made our mistakes. Would agree with Landsend and replace them for safety. I had battery and charging problems in the past and I decided to buy one of those portable jumpers. It saved me once and and was well worth the $40. Not only did it start my 3 cylinder diesel but also a full sized Ford van. In the winter season I transfer it to my car for those cold cranking emergencies.
At least it was the water in the battery and not the oil in the engine that ran out! We all have made our mistakes. Would agree with Landsend and replace them for safety. I had battery and charging problems in the past and I decided to buy one of those portable jumpers. It saved me once and and was well worth the $40. Not only did it start my 3 cylinder diesel but also a full sized Ford van. In the winter season I transfer it to my car for those cold cranking emergencies.
Similar Scenario
Rick, When I took delivery of my Catalina 30 - she had a seized engine and was basically sitting in the yard for at least a year (maybe longer). I bought the boat from a broker who took ownership. Both batteries ( a starter and deep cycle marine) were bone dry so I decided to just fill w/ H2O and see how they tested after a full charge – they ended up lasting me 3 full seasons! The house battery is just starting to show sighs of some weakness after I run a tester on it but I avoided having to replace them upfront. We learn the hard way but sometimes you get a break! Rob
Rick, When I took delivery of my Catalina 30 - she had a seized engine and was basically sitting in the yard for at least a year (maybe longer). I bought the boat from a broker who took ownership. Both batteries ( a starter and deep cycle marine) were bone dry so I decided to just fill w/ H2O and see how they tested after a full charge – they ended up lasting me 3 full seasons! The house battery is just starting to show sighs of some weakness after I run a tester on it but I avoided having to replace them upfront. We learn the hard way but sometimes you get a break! Rob
2nd Ruedi's advice
I 2nd Ruedi's advice, looks like an overcharge. Yes, water boils off, and the sulfur part mostly stays in the battery, but it plates out on the lead as a hard sulfur, not easily put back into solution when you add water. This is called sulfation, and the hard sulfur locks up the surface area of your plates, making unavailable to store a charge. (Think lots smaller capacity batteries). One way to "maybe" recover from this is adding DI (de-ionized) water, charge for 24 hours. Drain the water <now a hazmat chemical!> add more DI water and see how much of a charge the battery will take (another 24 hour charge & measure the specific gravity). Take out some water <hazmat> and top up with pure acid to give you the proper specific gravity. If you get lucky you have restored quite a lot of the batteries capacity. You might also look into pulse charging. This puts a short high voltage pulse on the battery about 5000 times a second, which according to the manufacturer, is supposed to provide the energy to break loose the hard sulfur and put it back into solution. YMMV and caveat emptor
I 2nd Ruedi's advice, looks like an overcharge. Yes, water boils off, and the sulfur part mostly stays in the battery, but it plates out on the lead as a hard sulfur, not easily put back into solution when you add water. This is called sulfation, and the hard sulfur locks up the surface area of your plates, making unavailable to store a charge. (Think lots smaller capacity batteries). One way to "maybe" recover from this is adding DI (de-ionized) water, charge for 24 hours. Drain the water <now a hazmat chemical!> add more DI water and see how much of a charge the battery will take (another 24 hour charge & measure the specific gravity). Take out some water <hazmat> and top up with pure acid to give you the proper specific gravity. If you get lucky you have restored quite a lot of the batteries capacity. You might also look into pulse charging. This puts a short high voltage pulse on the battery about 5000 times a second, which according to the manufacturer, is supposed to provide the energy to break loose the hard sulfur and put it back into solution. YMMV and caveat emptor
What do you guys think about gel batteries
Guys, thanks for your advice and, most of all, for not making me feel like more of an idiot that I am. Sounds like I've got a chance but, in the interests of safety, that replacements are the only way to be sure that I'll be okay. If (and that's a big if) I decide to replace them, what do you think of the sealed gel batteries? Is it worth it? Also, any idea to see if my charger is overcharging the batteries? It's a reasonably new boat (only 5 years old) with supposedly a top of the line "smart" charger.
Guys, thanks for your advice and, most of all, for not making me feel like more of an idiot that I am. Sounds like I've got a chance but, in the interests of safety, that replacements are the only way to be sure that I'll be okay. If (and that's a big if) I decide to replace them, what do you think of the sealed gel batteries? Is it worth it? Also, any idea to see if my charger is overcharging the batteries? It's a reasonably new boat (only 5 years old) with supposedly a top of the line "smart" charger.
Gel are good, AGM are great!
Rick: Gel batteries are very good. I think that are a "best buy". I had 2 gel on my H'31 and they lasted for OVER 10 years. 10 years without any maintenance. I think that AGM are probably a better choice now. They are less sensitive to over charging. There are many advantages and you should do your own research. Personally I have zero interest in flooded batteries. There are many that think that cheap or slightly more expensive flooded batteries are the best way to go, but as YOU know you can boil them down while you are not around to maintain them and you are screwed. Regardless of what type of batteries you may ultimately decide on a good charger is paramount to a good system. A Xantrex Statpower 20/40 is an excellent charger and Xantrex also makes some great charger inverters too.
Rick: Gel batteries are very good. I think that are a "best buy". I had 2 gel on my H'31 and they lasted for OVER 10 years. 10 years without any maintenance. I think that AGM are probably a better choice now. They are less sensitive to over charging. There are many advantages and you should do your own research. Personally I have zero interest in flooded batteries. There are many that think that cheap or slightly more expensive flooded batteries are the best way to go, but as YOU know you can boil them down while you are not around to maintain them and you are screwed. Regardless of what type of batteries you may ultimately decide on a good charger is paramount to a good system. A Xantrex Statpower 20/40 is an excellent charger and Xantrex also makes some great charger inverters too.
Bietzpadlin has a pair
of group 31 AGM batteries. Each November when she is docked on the hard I note the battery voltage, then is the spring I make note again. In the sixth year the house batteries showed a loss of 2 volts over the winter. When I recharged them they came very nicely up to 12.35 volts. I was happy, one week later they were showing only 10.35 volts. Time for them to go! The starting battery is group 24 I think and is still good. During the six years that the group 31 batteries were in place the only attention they received was a voltage check when we returned to the boat. Now keep in mind AGM batteries will bite you in the pocket book but only once every five or six years for about 230 dollars. NO green stuff on the terminals.
of group 31 AGM batteries. Each November when she is docked on the hard I note the battery voltage, then is the spring I make note again. In the sixth year the house batteries showed a loss of 2 volts over the winter. When I recharged them they came very nicely up to 12.35 volts. I was happy, one week later they were showing only 10.35 volts. Time for them to go! The starting battery is group 24 I think and is still good. During the six years that the group 31 batteries were in place the only attention they received was a voltage check when we returned to the boat. Now keep in mind AGM batteries will bite you in the pocket book but only once every five or six years for about 230 dollars. NO green stuff on the terminals.
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