Battery Fill Can

Batteries often times need water added to them over time. However there seems to be some confusion in what it is to put in them when its time. Never use tap water to fill battery cells, I can’t stress that enough. Tap water is full of natural salts and minerals that can’t be seen with the naked eye. These salts and minerals attach themselves to the lead plates in the battery, and reduce the ability of the battery to produce and move electrons. Manufactures recommend using distilled water for any filling of the battery cells that might be necessary. Distilled water has been removed of all impurities.

Battery Cutaway

How do you know when to fill a battery or battery cells? When you take the cell cap or caps off the top of the battery and you see the lead plates above the water level. The water level inside the battery should just cover the top of the lead plates inside. If the lead plates are visible, pour distilled water into the cell or cells until the lead plate or plates are covered. Due not over fill the battery cells, the batteries were designed for the electrolyte level to just cover the lead plates to allow for expansion inside the battery if necessary. During battery activity, some of the water through chemical action breaks down into hydrogen and oxygen gases that may evaporate from the battery. The result of this process is a low electrolyte level. The battery must be filled as described above.

Maintenance Free Battery

Maintenance free batteries do not have access to the electrolyte levels. The manufactures build maintenance free batteries with higher electrolyte levels to give for evaporation and expansion of gasses. No maintenance is required on these types of batteries.

Always remember to wear safety goggles, and wear rubber gloves when conducting maintenance on batteries.

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