Battery electrolyte question

[Jim Bailey]

Disclaimer: I don't know a lot about the technical aspects of batteries, nor
do I claim to !

I have three group 27 batteries and a 3 stage charger that stays on 24/7.
I'm guessing the charger does pretty well at adjusting it's rate, as I find
I only need to add a very small amount (one squirt or two from a bulb) of
liquid to the batteries every 6 - 8 weeks or so. I was using distilled
water as recommended but it occurred to me that, at some point, the battery
would have all water and no electrolyte left. I'm sure I'm flawed in my
thinking here, so enlighten me.

So anyway, I've taken to stoping by Sears and picking up the small
containers of electrolyte (they're cheap enough) and topping off with them.
Am I doing damage ? A good thing ? Makes no difference ?

thanks

jim bailey

 

[Charlie J]

Jim-
All reputable flooded cell battery manufacturers will warn against adding
electrolyte...only add distilled water.
Regards-
Charlie

 

[djmarchand]

Jim:

When a battery is overcharged it "gasses" or some say "boils" the water
away. The later term is very incorrect. What happens if the battery is
overcharged (and all battery chargers overcharge a little bit) is that the
extra voltage above the cell voltage is breaking down the water (H20) into
hydrogen and oxygen. That is the gas bubbles you see. To replace the lost
water, you add water only.

Do not add electrolyte, because as others have already said, you will be
increasing the electrolyte concentration more than is desirable.

So, ONLY ADD DISTILLED WATER.

David

 

[Jim Bailey]

Thanks to everyone who replied ! Great information - I get it now...

Hopefully I haven't put enough in there yet to cause damage - what would the
symptoms be ?

jim