Empathy List Archives

T

thesiegels915@comcast.net

Thu, Oct 4, 2012 5:10 PM

Always thought it was correct to fill standard wet-cell lead-acid batteries to split ring inside filler neck. Now hearing that’s too much and fill level should be about 1/4” above plates? This is substantially below split ring. Any battery gurus with reliable advice? Bob Siegel Annapolis (#1869)

RA

Rudy and Jill

Thu, Oct 4, 2012 5:23 PM

It's my understanding that the water level should not be above the point where its level or expansion, if any, of the water will not allow any gases to escape up through the caps. Every battery that I've seen has splits down the fill tube, to the bottom of the tube. As long as the water, at its highest point does not block off these splits, gases can still escape and no harm is done. On a boat, especially a sailing bote, you should take into account the boat's heel and trim as it effects the batteries water level. As a matter of practice, I fill to over the plates, but not quite to the bottom of the fill tube or somewhere inbetween. No matter what level is filled to, the other critical aspect is to not allow the water level to go below the top of the plates, or, I'd add, even close to it.

Rudy
Briney Bug- Panama City, Fl

It's my understanding that the water level should not be above the point where its level or expansion, if any, of the water will not allow any gases to escape up through the caps. Every battery that I've seen has splits down the fill tube, to the bottom of the tube. As long as the water, at its highest point does not block off these splits, gases can still escape and no harm is done. On a boat, especially a sailing bote, you should take into account the boat's heel and trim as it effects the batteries water level. As a matter of practice, I fill to over the plates, but not quite to the bottom of the fill tube or somewhere inbetween. No matter what level is filled to, the other critical aspect is to not allow the water level to go below the top of the plates, or, I'd add, even close to it. Rudy Briney Bug- Panama City, Fl

FB

Frank Burrows

Thu, Oct 4, 2012 5:31 PM

Here is what Deka (East Penn Battery) says:

"Check electrolyte levels in all cells. If necessary,
add distilled water (or clear, odorless drinking water).
Do not use water with high iron content to avoid battery
damage. Never add acid, only water to a battery. If it
will be necessary to charge the battery, bring the levels
in all cells to just above the separators inside the cells to
allow for expansion during charging. Top off after charging
as noted below.

If it is not necessary to charge the battery, (or after
charging) top off by filling each cell with distilled water
to just below the filler tube in each cell."

Frank Burrows

On 10/4/2012 1:10 PM, thesiegels915@comcast.net wrote:

Always thought it was correct to fill standard wet-cell lead-acid batteries to split ring inside filler neck. Now hearing that’s too much and fill level should be about 1/4” above plates? This is substantially below split ring. Any battery gurus with reliable advice? Bob Siegel Annapolis (#1869)

Here is what Deka (East Penn Battery) says: "Check electrolyte levels in all cells. If necessary, add distilled water (or clear, odorless drinking water). Do not use water with high iron content to avoid battery damage. Never add acid, only water to a battery. If it will be necessary to charge the battery, bring the levels in all cells to just above the separators inside the cells to allow for expansion during charging. Top off after charging as noted below. If it is not necessary to charge the battery, (or after charging) top off by filling each cell with distilled water to just below the filler tube in each cell." Frank Burrows On 10/4/2012 1:10 PM, thesiegels915@comcast.net wrote: > Always thought it was correct to fill standard wet-cell lead-acid batteries to split ring inside filler neck. Now hearing that’s too much and fill level should be about 1/4” above plates? This is substantially below split ring. Any battery gurus with reliable advice? Bob Siegel Annapolis (#1869)

ET

Eric Thoman

Thu, Oct 4, 2012 6:02 PM

"Check electrolyte levels in all cells. If necessary, add distilled water (or clear, odorless drinking water).
Do not use water with high iron content to avoid battery damage. Never add acid, only water to a battery. If it will be necessary to charge the battery, bring the levels in all cells to just above the separators inside the cells to allow for expansion during charging. Top off after charging as noted below.

If it is not necessary to charge the battery, (or after
charging) top off by filling each cell with distilled water to just below the filler tube in each cell."

Reply:

There is something goofy here...what do they mean "If it is not necessary to charge the battery..." It seems to me that it is necessary to charge a battery in every circumstance that you might need a battery. In any event, it is my little opinion that it is not a coincidence that when you use one of those Napa style battery fillers it fills up right to the bottom of the fill tube and quits. In other words, the spout on the filler is the same length as the fill tube. I always thought that the slits in the fill tube were so you could see the water level when it reaches the bottom of the tube. Maybe not... Anyhow, that is how I do it.

The biggest game changer in my battery life came when I bought Water-Miser caps. I use 1/4 of the amount of distilled water that I used to. The savings in the cost of water is nil but the risk that the water level reaches the top of the plates is greatly reduced. Question for the experts: Why the flip top on the Water-Miser? It is much easier to screw them off like a regular battery cap.

Eric
Abyssinia

"Check electrolyte levels in all cells. If necessary, add distilled water (or clear, odorless drinking water). Do not use water with high iron content to avoid battery damage. Never add acid, only water to a battery. If it will be necessary to charge the battery, bring the levels in all cells to just above the separators inside the cells to allow for expansion during charging. Top off after charging as noted below. If it is not necessary to charge the battery, (or after charging) top off by filling each cell with distilled water to just below the filler tube in each cell." Reply: There is something goofy here...what do they mean "If it is not necessary to charge the battery..." It seems to me that it is necessary to charge a battery in every circumstance that you might need a battery. In any event, it is my little opinion that it is not a coincidence that when you use one of those Napa style battery fillers it fills up right to the bottom of the fill tube and quits. In other words, the spout on the filler is the same length as the fill tube. I always thought that the slits in the fill tube were so you could see the water level when it reaches the bottom of the tube. Maybe not... Anyhow, that is how I do it. The biggest game changer in my battery life came when I bought Water-Miser caps. I use 1/4 of the amount of distilled water that I used to. The savings in the cost of water is nil but the risk that the water level reaches the top of the plates is greatly reduced. Question for the experts: Why the flip top on the Water-Miser? It is much easier to screw them off like a regular battery cap. Eric Abyssinia

LA

Lee A Licata

Thu, Oct 4, 2012 7:51 PM

I have 2.2 VDC Traction Batteries for my house bank and when I had the manufacturer's rep on board, here is what he said.

Too much water means that during "aggressive charging" and equalization, the water will spray out and make a mess of the top of the cells.
If one does not keep the tops of the battery cells clean, some times a path is created that allows the cell to self-discharge.

One does not need to perform an "special charging" unless one or more cells was filled with 1 liter or more of distilled water.
Then one should perform a 4-8 hour equalization charge.
Otherwise, the normal charge and discharge cycle is OK.
Do not water the battery and then place it on open circuit. Wait 24 hours after watering to place the battery on open circuit.

I assume this is specific to my battery but maybe someone else out there can comment on their general applicability.

Lee
Marmaris
On Oct 4, 2012, at 20:31 , Frank Burrows wrote:

Here is what Deka (East Penn Battery) says:

....

If it is not necessary to charge the battery, (or after charging) top off by filling each cell with distilled water to just below the filler tube in each cell."

...

I have 2.2 VDC Traction Batteries for my house bank and when I had the manufacturer's rep on board, here is what he said. Too much water means that during "aggressive charging" and equalization, the water will spray out and make a mess of the top of the cells. If one does not keep the tops of the battery cells clean, some times a path is created that allows the cell to self-discharge. One does not need to perform an "special charging" unless one or more cells was filled with 1 liter or more of distilled water. Then one should perform a 4-8 hour equalization charge. Otherwise, the normal charge and discharge cycle is OK. Do not water the battery and then place it on open circuit. Wait 24 hours after watering to place the battery on open circuit. I assume this is specific to my battery but maybe someone else out there can comment on their general applicability. Lee Marmaris On Oct 4, 2012, at 20:31 , Frank Burrows wrote: Here is what Deka (East Penn Battery) says: .... If it is not necessary to charge the battery, (or after charging) top off by filling each cell with distilled water to just below the filler tube in each cell." ...

BH

Bob H

Thu, Oct 11, 2012 2:36 PM

I fill to the split ring level guide built into the battery. You can tell
when you 'hit' the level as the water reflection will turn from a circle to
square shape when looking in the fill hole.

Top of my battery is stamped to fill to the split guide too. US Battery 8D.

Bob

-----Original Message-----
From: thesiegels915@comcast.net
Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2012 12:10 PM
To: trawlers@lists.trawlering.com
Subject: T&T: Adding Water to Wet Cell Battery-How Much?

Always thought it was correct to fill standard wet-cell lead-acid batteries
to split ring inside filler neck. Now hearing that’s too much and fill
level should be about 1/4” above plates? This is substantially below split
ring. Any battery gurus with reliable advice? Bob Siegel Annapolis (#1869)

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I fill to the split ring level guide built into the battery. You can tell when you 'hit' the level as the water reflection will turn from a circle to square shape when looking in the fill hole. Top of my battery is stamped to fill to the split guide too. US Battery 8D. Bob -----Original Message----- From: thesiegels915@comcast.net Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2012 12:10 PM To: trawlers@lists.trawlering.com Subject: T&T: Adding Water to Wet Cell Battery-How Much? Always thought it was correct to fill standard wet-cell lead-acid batteries to split ring inside filler neck. Now hearing that’s too much and fill level should be about 1/4” above plates? This is substantially below split ring. Any battery gurus with reliable advice? Bob Siegel Annapolis (#1869) _______________________________________________ http://lists.trawlering.com/mailman/listinfo/trawlers_lists.trawlering.com To unsubscribe or modify your subscription options (get password, change email address, etc) go to: http://lists.trawlering.com/mailman/listinfo/trawlers_lists.trawlering.com Trawlers & Trawlering and T&T are trademarks of Water World Productions. Unauthorized use is prohibited.