Battery fluid top up

[Mark_88]

I read something on this a while ago but couldn't find it...I received a used battery yesterday and found it to be a top/side post model...I happened to flip the battery on it's side to check something and didn't realize it was one of those 'serviceable' batteries...and some of the water leaked out.

I read that you're supposed to use non-ionized and demineralized water only to top up a battery, but I couldn't find any. So I put in about a cup of reverse osmosis purified water. The only information I could find on this is that using water that is ionized or has minerals can cause the battery to fail prematurely.

Well, I had to jump the battery and let the engine run at a higher idle for about a half hour to try to charge it up, and then shut down the truck to see if there was any more juice. The truck started with the first turn of the key...but I'm going to test it tomorrow morning again...

The battery is rated at 875 amps and 125 min, and the old one was rated at 660 amps and 100 min. It seems to be a much stronger (and is newer) battery than the old one...hopefully it works better...


Sooooo...my question is...anyone have any experience with this?

 

[mentalbreakdown00]

I have always just used ditilled water, period and never had a prob.

 

[kamps989]

At work on the lifts we ALWAYS used distilled water for the batteries in our lifts, and if we didn't have any on hand we would wait until we got some. I can't imagine putting anything else in there would be a good idea.

 

[kerry]

The deionized water is as good as or better than distilled!

 

[Mark_88]

Thanks for the input...I would have used distilled water (or de-ionized) if I could find it...but what I read indicated that the main reason for using this was more to eliminate minerals that could interact with the acid in the battery...

Hmmm...hope I didn't just ruin a seemingly good battery...

BTW, I went out an hour or so after I posted this and the truck fired up right away on the first crank of the key...that's a good sign to me...

I will try it again in the morning to see if the charge is holding though...

 

[mentalbreakdown00]

well distilled water = free and thats a great price to me

 

[Mark_88]

well distilled water = free and thats a great price to me

Yeah, I guess I could have boiled some water and collect the steam...that's what my Dad used to do...

Anyhow, I went out this morning and cranked the engine...plenty of power in the battery from overnight sitting...so I think it'll be OK for now...



I like free stuff!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I wouldn't make a regular habit of using the alternator to charge batteries. It is ok in a pinch but a regular batter charger is much better, and isn't as hard on your alternator.

 

[mentalbreakdown00]

I dont boil it let it sit in well washed milk jugs and what not open in a room like the kitchen for a few days to a week....I always have a couple gallons distilled water around esp at the shop.

 

[Mark_88]

I wouldn't make a regular habit of using the alternator to charge batteries. It is ok in a pinch but a regular batter charger is much better, and isn't as hard on your alternator.

I was reluctant to do it that way, but my battery charger took a dump...I tested the battery with a voltmeter and it read like it was nearly fully charged...so I figured the top up and boost just gave it enough of a revitalization to bring it up to full charge...

I will see how long it lasts...the other battery was OK until I tried using the battery charger "Start" option...then it started losing the charge...but I did drain it a few times by leaving the key on when I had to move the truck (the fuel pump is electronic)...plus it was manufactured in 2003 so I figured it was just about past it's best before date anyways...