Add water to battery

hey guys just wondering if you check water levels in battery cells and ever add water? I'm remembering reading something about it but can't find it. I have a new battery and want to make sure I'm taking as good care as possible.

They claim that batteries don't need maintenance or acid levels checked. But I do check mine from time to time and add (distilled) water if level is low. Be careful as this is acid in batteries best wear rubber gloves and eye protection.:twocents

Thanks, what is the right level for the acid? I assume you could overfill.

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Originally Posted by htr2133

Thanks, what is the right level for the acid? I assume you could overfill.

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Normally I look for the ring or slot in the ring or the bottom of the ring or tube then fill up to the bottom of the tube. I would go to a Auto Parts Store and get a battery filler. They look like a turkey baster. Except the ones for batteries will have a bigger bulb and a smaller tube or hose on it. And yes you can over fill them with water.

And only use distilled water! Go to Wal-Mart or Dollar General and that will save you some money!

In a pinch on the farm I have used well water but I don't like too. Also when I am checking levels in my boat, pickup, farm tractor, riding lawn mower, I normally have one of those little battery testers on hand which you draw a small amount of liquid out each cell and then you count the floating balls that will warn you of weak cells in your battery.

Battery Filler

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Battery Cell Tester

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Now here is another type of Battery Cell Tester

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And here is another type of Battery Cell Tester

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Its all in how much money you want to spend and how much you depend on the battery. Granted we are talking about your boat here. But like me if we are going into winter I am going to want a little more information about the condition of my tractor battery. Plus its not like I can just take the tractor battery out and just run it into town and have it tested either! When I am at the farm its a 25 mile trip one way to the closest Auto Parts Store.

I hope this info has helped some.

YES >.... you absolutely need to keep your fluid levels up in a battery, covering all the lead plates. And YES, you should always use distilled water ... and just as important, add the distilled water to a fully CHARGED battery (if at all possible).

The number of times used & charged should dictate how often you pop the caps & check the levels. Filling them to the bottom of the fill tube is the normal practice. Charging them asap after use is key, as well as charging them once a month when not in use.

I actually USE a "baster" to put distilled water in my batteries. And I have a "battery tester" unit, but mostly rely on the onboard charger to keep the batteries charged & show me that they ARE charged.

... cp :kewl

Pappy just made a very important observation in his post that most people don't know. Never fill a discharged battery. When discharging the electrolyte will go down, then upon charging it will rise. If you fill a discharged battery you run the risk of pushing acid out the top and into your boat as it expands. Charge battery, let cool, then top off water.