YACT: POLL: do you check your battery's water/fluid?

[mooseracing]

how do you break them?

they snap off and on, have little indentations where you are suppose to stick a screwdriver to just pop them off. Then each cell is accessible. Instead of using a bunch of a small little caps, 2 big ones are used.

Fill lines are BS, the lead cells just need to be submerged which is right before the top of the battery.

Adding distilled water is the way to go and what the manufactures recommend. You only add more acid if you can actaully measure the percentage in there properly.

 

[radioouman]

Yes I do. Every battery that I've owned has had caps that are designed to be pryed off so that I can add water. And I do.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: mooseracing
how do you break them?

they snap off and on, have little indentations where you are suppose to stick a screwdriver to just pop them off. Then each cell is accessible. Instead of using a bunch of a small little caps, 2 big ones are used.

Fill lines are BS, the lead cells just need to be submerged which is right before the top of the battery.

Adding distilled water is the way to go and what the manufactures recommend. You only add more acid if you can actaully measure the percentage in there properly.

The "two big caps" do not seal when replaced. Once you've taken them off, those holes are no longer sealed against outside contaminants. Removing the caps on a battery that is labeled as "maintenance free" damages the battery. Period.

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stori.../www/story/11-30-2005/0004224792&EDATE

Maintenance-free batteries

The Consumer Reports article states: "While some batteries with caps are claimed to be maintenance-free, any such model should have the electrolyte level beneath its caps checked at least yearly, according to Battery Council International, an industry group." This is incorrect.

According to BCI, the majority of today's auto batteries are maintenance-free. This means that motorists should not check or top off the electrolyte levels in maintenance-free batteries.

"Battery manufacturers provide instructions with their products, and a motorist should read and follow all of instructions that come with the battery," said Randy Hart, President of BCI. Mr. Hart also is President of Superior Battery Manufacturing, Co. in Russell springs, Kentucky.

In addition, the battery label generally provides guidelines: many maintenance-free battery labels carry a "do not open" or similar statement. Finally, battery caps that appear to be removable may actually be glued or locked in place. "If a battery cap is meant to be opened, it can be opened without much effort. Forcing or prying these caps open may destroy or permanently damage the battery," Mr. Hart said.

But what would the manufacturers know about their own product anyway.

ZV

 

[mooseracing]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
[The "two big caps" do not seal when replaced. Once you've taken them off, those holes are no longer sealed against outside contaminants.
ZV

If the battery was sealed it would blow up. Batteries are constantly venting gasses, except for gel or optimas styles. Thats one reason it is dangerous to jumpstart a vehichle when connecting the jumper cables directly to the battery as the sparks could easily ignite the gas. And it would be another reason the battery would leak acid when on its side.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: mooseracing

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
[The "two big caps" do not seal when replaced. Once you've taken them off, those holes are no longer sealed against outside contaminants.
ZV

If the battery was sealed it would blow up. Batteries are constantly venting gasses, except for gel or optimas styles. Thats one reason it is dangerous to jumpstart a vehichle when connecting the jumper cables directly to the battery as the sparks could easily ignite the gas. And it would be another reason the battery would leak acid when on its side.

There's a difference between a designed vent and hole in the top of the cell that is not sealed. Note that the vents are designed in such a way as to allow excess pressure to escape but not allow dirt or other contaminants to easily enter.

I've filled my share of "regular" batteries and one of the most important things when filling is to ensure that the top is clean before removing the screw caps and then to ensure that the caps seal once the battery has been filled.

The vent is designed to vent (hence the name). The filling holes are not.

ZV