High maintenance batteries require water. You must ensure that there is a sufficient supply of water in the water reservoir of the cell. Unless your battery is maintenance-free, you have to give it ample time to check on the battery’s water level. You can never relax and be free after your battery installation. Proper care and maintenance define excellent performance from your battery.
How much water should be in the car battery? The recommended amount of liquid/water in an array should never go below 1/8″ the bottom of the tubes that goes beyond the opening of the battery port.
You should only use distilled water in filling the water of the battery. Practice caution by using hand and eye protection.
Proper water measurement is required to keep the battery in good shape. Water should never be under or overfilled. Appropriate maintenance of battery includes the monitoring of the battery’s water levels.
Proper Steps Incorrect Water Measurement For the Car Battery
There are steps to follow in the correct of proper water measurement for your car battery. You will find out how often you should go and check for your water level and the appropriate measures to take in doing such tasks.
Step 1: Make sure that you wear protective clothing when working on your batteries. Wear long sleeves to protect and cover your skin. Try to wear and eye protection and rubber gloves for your hands. Always have a bucket of water nearby in case of emergency. Sulfuric acid may eat up your clothes in case there is a splash and will burn your skin.
Step 2: Check that everything is unplugged from the wall attached to the battery using the alligator clips. No worries for cables that are in good condition and hooked up to the car battery. Ensure that any active chargers are all turned off. Hydrogen gas is flammable and explosive. It builds up mostly under the cap.
Step 3: Clean your battery top from all kinds of dirt and debris. You can use a disposable rag, water, and a window cleaner. You can wipe everything and dry up all the things that you have wet. You will be exposing the battery cells, and you wouldn’t want any dirt to mix up with the acid.
Step 4: Try to access the battery cells by detaching the rectangular plates above the car, or you can twist the battery cap for a golf cart battery. You will also be needing a flat-head screwdriver to pry up the sides so you can vacuum the edges of the plate and remove anything that was there before.
Never allow the tools you are using to touch on the terminals of the battery. Do not expose the hydrogen gas to prevent spark.
Step 5: Inspect the water levels visually for each cell using a flashlight. You can see a red line. This red line is the end of the slotted tube. The blue line is the mark of the water curve under it. The green line is the 1/8 “marks the space. You can see the lead plates at the hole’s bottom. Water levels should be filled equally.
Step 6: Try to decide if it needed to add a distilled water. Just add water if the battery is fully charged. When the battery is not yet charged the lead plates are exposed. Add only the right amount of water enough to cover the plates. Charge the battery before adding the amount of water. Charge the battery again.
Step 7: Fill in with a distilled water. The easiest and the simplest way to do it is by using a syringe. This process is probably the safest method too. Do add the water gently to avoid splashing through your skin. The maximum level of the water must be where it is touching the edge of the tube.
Step 8: Return the cap plate on the car battery or twist it back on the configuration of the battery cap for a golf cart battery.
Step 9: Remove or wipe up the spills or drops of acid from the battery using a disposable rag. Wipe it until dry.
Step 10: Plug the charger in.
How to Check the Battery’s Water Level
Learning how to check the battery’s water level is an added skill to your car maintenance. If you know how to check the water levels, you can always expect your battery to run smoothly.
Part I: Cleaning of the Battery and Port Opening
In cleaning the battery, you need to perform the following tasks:
● Find the array. Some batteries are easy to find, while others are hidden at the back of the engine compartment. Some cells like BMWs and Mercedez Benz have it located in the trunk of the car and is concealed in a chamber. Others are found on the rear seats of the vehicles.
● Clean your battery. Before checking the water levels, the battery must be freed from dirt and other debris. It must be thoroughly clean.
● Ports must be open. On the battery top, there are two rectangular covers which are used to seal the port of the battery. It can be removed by prying it with a knife or screwdriver.
● Cleaning must be continued. Continuous cleaning must be done. Remove all covers of the port, and it will eventually reveal other dirt on the battery top. Wipe away all dirt from the ports using a damp rag.
Part II: Assessment of the Fluid Levels
● Compare the levels of the fluid in each cell.
● Determine if there are low-level liquids.
● Determine if the electrolyte levels are normal.
● Determine if the liquids are at its maximum level.
● Remember that these levels are for lead-acid batteries only.
Part III: Adjusting the Water levels
● Never fill in full when the battery is weak.
● Remember to wipe up all the spills and to close the ports.
If you are interested in knowing more about this topic, then click this link to read the article.
Can I Use Tap Water For My Car Battery?
No. You should never use tap water for your car battery. Tap water may only cause your battery to wear out quickly. It will also cause your battery to work harder and will cause it to become hotter.
The mineral content of the water may cause it to cover up the plates so water is no longer in contact instead the minerals of the water will cause it to overwork the battery. Always keep a distilled water handy in your car all the time.
What Will Happen if I Overfilled My Battery With Water?
The overfilled battery tends to create more leak as you charged it. The sulphuric content may cause more issues because it is more corrosive. It will eat up everything it comes in contact with like paint and the metal bodywork. To avoid this, try to flush out any leaks of acid with plenty of clean water.
How much water should be in the car battery depends on a case to case basis. Over and underfilling it may cause damage to your battery. The right and exact amount of water are needed to maintain the good performance of your battery.
Sources:
1. How Much Water Should be in a 12-Volt Battery? – Home Battery Bank
2. Car Battery Problems: When is it Time for a New Battery? – Firestone Compete Auto Care
3. How to Check Car Battery Water Levels – wikiHow
4. Battery Myth #6 – Should I use normal tap water to top up the water level in the battery? – ACE Mechanics
