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During operation, batteries may lose some of the electrolyte, namely the water included in its composition. As a result, the liquid level above the surface of the plates inside the battery decreases, and the volume of acid vapor increases significantly. Should I add water or electrolyte to the battery? The answer to this question will be – only water!

The longevity of the battery is affected by maintaining the required electrolyte level. When this indicator decreases, the resource of the power source decreases.

The evaporation of the aqueous component of the solution directly depends on what materials the battery is made of and on general condition electrical circuit.

In order to restore the required electrolyte level, purified (distilled) or deionized water is added to the battery. By carrying out this procedure in a timely manner, the car enthusiast significantly increases the service life of the power source.

How to charge a maintenance-free car battery? To do this you will need a regular needle and a medical syringe.

Indicators of normal electrolyte levels and ways to increase or decrease them

Normal level electrolyte liquid inside the battery is considered to be a level that is 9–15 mm above the upper edge of the separators, but not rising above the filler neck area.

If the reason for the lack of liquid is clearly established, namely splashing, you should add electrolyte of the same density as inside the power source. It is worth noting that the temperature should also be identical.

There are times when the liquid level, on the contrary, is higher. In such a situation, the electrolyte can be carefully pumped out using a rubber bulb that has an ebonite tip.

Electrolyte density measurements should only be carried out under the following conditions:

  • The level inside the battery should be normal.
  • The electrolyte must have average temperature readings within from +15 to +27 degrees.
  • At the end of the water addition procedure, it is necessary to allow the solution to mix thoroughly (it may take a day).

If used for topping up sulfuric acid or ordinary, non-distilled water, the service life of the power source is significantly reduced. As a result of sulfation processes, oxidation of the plates occurs and the capacity of the battery itself decreases.

The process of mixing the liquid inside the battery after adding water can be accelerated by leaving the battery to charge for a short period of time.

In the cold season, water should be added only before the start of the trip to prevent freezing of the upper part of the electrolyte.

Why do they fill the battery with water and not electrolyte?

To the question: should I put electrolyte or water into my car battery? you should give one single correct answer - only distilled water.

The vehicle's power supply is constantly subject to overheating during its operation. It is also affected by above-zero temperatures in the summer.

As a result of these effects, ordinary water simply boils away and evaporates, but the acid remains inside and its concentration increases greatly. Adding water helps restore the desired density and increases the efficiency of the battery.

Special attention should be paid to maintenance-free batteries. Such batteries have a sealed housing, so there is simply nowhere for water to evaporate. It simply settles on the inside of the top cover in the form of steam and then turns back into water, flowing back. As a result, maintenance-free batteries are less susceptible to electrolyte boiling than serviced ones.

It is worth mentioning that special additives can be added to the battery along with distilled water, which can most effectively dissolve deposits on the plates (sulfation) and completely dissolve on their own within 24 hours. What current should I use to charge the battery? Direct current is used to charge the battery., it is especially useful to recharge the battery after adding water in order to maximize the mixing of the new solution. Timely topping up and monitoring the electrolyte level will significantly extend the life of any battery.

Instructions

First you need to measure the electrolyte level. To do this, you need to unscrew the plugs on the top surface (a wide screwdriver works well), insert a glass tube the size of a ballpoint pen into one of the compartments and plunge it to the bottom. Cover the upper hole of the tube with your finger and pull it out, the electrolyte level in the tube is equal to the level in the battery (13-15 mm), if it is higher, then suck out the excess electrolyte with a syringe; if it is lower, it is time to add distilled water.

Take a special charger and place it on the battery without closing the plug. This is necessary in case there is too much electrolyte, it will have somewhere to leak. First, charge and discharge the battery 3-4 times to restore capacity. Then set the current on the charging device to 0.1A and monitor the voltage at the terminals. Do not allow the battery to boil or overheat; if necessary, reduce the charging current. Normal when fully charged should be 13.9-14.5V. Next, reduce the current to 0.05A and continue. If the voltage remains unchanged over the next 2 hours, stop charging!

Please note

When servicing the battery, you must not forget about your own safety. Must be strictly observed basic rules precautions. The battery contains sulfuric acid and flammable detonating gas; when working, keep away from open flame sources.

Useful advice

During operation and maintenance of the battery, it is better to wipe its surface with a cloth soaked in ammonia or a solution of water with baking soda. It helps especially effectively when electrolyte gets on the surface of the battery.

When batteries “boil,” the level drops and the density of the electrolyte increases. If the necessary measures are not taken in time, the battery will lose its capacity over time. You can restore these indicators by adding water to the battery.

You will need

  • distilled water

Instructions

Clean the surface of the battery
Surface cleaning is necessary for several reasons. Firstly, the surface may be contaminated by splashed sulfuric acid, which is unsafe for the worker and his clothes, secondly, contamination can get inside the battery and lead to its damage, and thirdly, it is more pleasant to work clean. To clean the surface, simply wipe it gently with a damp cloth soaked in a solution of baking soda. It is better to clean the recesses on the top cover, especially around (or filler holes), with a match.

Add water
You can only add water to those jars where the electrolyte level is below the minimum mark. This can be determined in translucent batteries by the “risks” on the sides of the case. Tides are visible inside the filler holes, indicating the upper and lower levels. If there are no marks, then you should focus on a level above 10-15 mm above the top of the plates. It is best to add water to the tank using a rubber bulb, a large medical syringe, or using an aerometer (or rather, an external flask) to measure the density of the electrolyte.

Measure the density of the electrolyte
The density of the electrolyte is not restored immediately after adding water. This is due to the fact that in the battery there are small gaps between the plates, and mixing of liquids occurs (sometimes the density evens out over several weeks). Therefore, after adding water, it is necessary to settle for several hours. Only then will density indicators approach real ones and it can be measured. For accurate density, it is necessary to take several measurements at equal intervals. And if the difference between the current and previous measurements is insignificant, the battery is ready for use after recharging.

The car battery is its most important component and source DC voltage, necessary for the operation of all electrical devices of the machine and starting the engine. The battery consists of six cells connected in series, each of which consists of four positive and five negative plates. All elements are placed in a six-chamber tank and filled electrolyte. It needs to be topped up periodically.

Instructions

The electrolyte consists of sulfuric (GOST 667-53) and distilled water (GOST 6709-53). For normal operation of the battery, it is necessary to maintain a certain Middle zone Russia is 1.28 g/cm. However, as the battery is used, the level of electrolyte in the battery changes, the density increases, which invariably leads to rapid discharge of the battery, and sometimes to its breakdown.

Experienced car enthusiasts extend the life of batteries by adding electrolyte to them. To do this, first of all, you need the electrolyte itself, which will require both 0.36 liters and 1 liter of distilled water. If distilled water is not available, you can use snow melt water or rainwater, which settles in non-metallic containers. Tap water cannot be used to make electrolyte due to the presence of various metal impurities in it, which lead to battery damage.

Take a non-metallic container (ceramic or ebonite cup, lead bowl) and pour 1 liter of distilled water into it, then pour 0.36 liters of sulfuric acid into the water in small portions, stirring continuously. Close the finished electrolyte tightly with a lid and leave for 15-20 hours until all the sediment falls out.

Measure the electrolyte level in the battery. Lower a glass tube with a diameter of 3-5 mm into the battery filler hole until it stops and plug the top hole of the tube with your finger. Take it out. The height of the electrolyte column in the tube indicates its level in the battery.

If you need to increase the electrolyte level, unscrew the filler plug, put it on the vent fitting as tightly as possible and add distilled water to the threads of the filler hole. Then remove the plug and put it back in place. Charge the battery.

Measure the density of the electrolyte with a car hydrometer by sucking liquid from the battery with a bulb. If the electrolyte density is less than required, the prepared electrolyte is poured into the battery, while draining the excess mixture using. Typically, the electrolyte in batteries is topped up with ordinary distilled water to the required level.

Sources:

  • battery electrolyte

Most modern cars are equipped with maintenance-free batteries. Such batteries do not require regular addition of distilled water, since its consumption is small. However, the need for this may still arise.

From time to time it is necessary to check the electrolyte level (this not just water) in a car battery. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, he naturally evaporates. Secondly, every time the battery is charged, it is small quantities decomposes into hydrogen and oxygen. Checking and replacing the electrolyte is important integral part maintenance. Therefore, you need to know how to do it correctly. The following are detailed instructions, how to check the electrolyte level so as not to harm yourself or the car.

Steps

Part 1

How to clean the battery and open the filler holes

Find the battery for the accumulator. In most cars it is located immediately under the hood, which you simply need to open.

  • Batteries may also be located in the lower part of the engine compartment, behind the front bumper and in front of the front wheels. To carry out maintenance, they must be removed from the bottom of the car.
  • In most BMW, Mercedes-Benz and some other models, the batteries are located in an isolated compartment in the trunk.
  • Some models, such as Cadillacs, may have batteries located under the rear seat.
  • Clean the battery. Before checking the electrolyte level, remove dirt and debris that has accumulated on top of the battery and around its terminals. It is important to do this so that when you open the filler holes, nothing foreign gets in there. In addition, keeping the battery surface clean will slow down or avoid the development of corrosion on metal surfaces.

    • To remove road grime and minor corrosion, use an ammonia-based glass cleaner. To do this, spray the cleaner on a rag, not on the battery itself. Can be used paper towel, but as soon as it starts to deteriorate, replace it.
    • Areas with severe corrosion can be cleaned with a homemade mixture of water and baking soda. Wet a cloth with this mixture and wipe the battery. To properly clean the battery, you will have to wet the cloth and wipe it with it more than once. Next, spray a rag with glass cleaner and wipe off the baking soda. If you leave soda on the surface of the battery, this will accelerate the development of corrosion of the terminals and metal parts located nearby.
    • Don't rush! All filler caps must be in place. Cleaning agents must not enter the battery through these openings.
    • Note: To make cleaning and maintenance easier, the battery can be removed from the vehicle and then reinstalled. This will be better for safety reasons, especially if the battery is located in a hard-to-reach place. However, this will reset the car's electronics settings (clock, radio station, etc.). So if you do not remove the battery from the car, you can save time.
    • Alternatively, you can disconnect the battery terminals and place them in a container with very hot water. hot water. Hot water will remove a layer of corrosion, thereby cleaning the surface. But before you reconnect the terminals to the battery, be sure to wipe them clean dry.
  • Unscrew the filler plugs. There are two hexagonal filler plugs on the battery cover. They can be easily unscrewed if you lightly pry them with a plastic spatula or screwdriver. If the plugs do not give in, then try prying them off at several points around the perimeter.

    • Some batteries have six separate round plugs. They must be unscrewed counterclockwise and then removed.
    • The battery may be labeled “Maintenance Free.” This means that it is not subject to maintenance and cannot be opened. If such a battery stops functioning properly, manufacturers recommend simply replacing it with another one, because water cannot be added to it.
  • If necessary, remove dirt. After unscrewing the plugs, you may notice that dirt has also accumulated under them. Dampen a rag with window cleaner and wipe the fill holes.

    • It is not recommended to clean the filler holes with baking soda. Lightly dampen a rag with cleaning solution. Be careful not to get any cleaner, dirt, or pieces of paper towel inside the battery.
    • Don't be lazy and don't neglect this advice. Keeping the filler holes clean will slow down the development of corrosion. This important point in maintenance, helping to maintain the integrity of all connections.

    Part 2

    How to determine your current electrolyte level

    Look at the electrolyte level. By looking into each filler hole, you can determine the level of this substance in each compartment. There must be the same amount of electrolyte in all compartments

    • If the levels are slightly different, it may be because you added too much liquid last time. In this case, when this excess evaporates, simply pour the required amount.
    • If the levels are clearly different, then the issue may be a cracked housing and a slight leak of electrolyte. In this case, the battery needs to be replaced. If no obvious leaks are visible, then add distilled water (nothing else) to the maximum safe level in the battery and check after a few weeks to see how much the level has changed.
  • Check for low electrolyte levels. If the electrolyte does not completely cover the plates, then there is not enough electrolyte. In this case, the battery will not be able to function at maximum performance.

    • Parts of the plate exposed to air are destroyed in a matter of days.
    • If the electrolyte level has dropped only 1 cm below the top edge of the plate, then after pouring the required amount of water, the battery will start working again, but its performance will decrease slightly. (Tips on how to add water will be discussed in Part 3 of this article) If the level drops much lower, you may have to change the battery.
    • A low electrolyte level may indicate that the battery is overcharging. In this case, you need to check the alternator.
  • Determine normal electrolyte levels. The normal level is considered to be an electrolyte level that is either approximately 1 cm above the plates or 3 mm below the filler neck.

    • If everything is normal, then there is no need to add water yet. You can simply screw the filler plugs back on. The next inspection will need to be carried out in three months.
  • Determine the maximum electrolyte level. The fluid level is at a safe maximum when the electrolyte touches the filler neck.

    • Somewhere at the bottom of most necks there are a couple of notches. Thanks to these notches, a meniscus is formed (the liquid arches near the edge of the neck, shaped like an eye). If the liquid touches the neck, a meniscus appears. If below the neck, the meniscus is not visible.
    • The eye-shaped meniscus is needed to avoid overflow. You should use a flashlight to be able to determine the fluid level and see if there is a meniscus.
  • In this article we're talking about on determining the electrolyte level in lead-acid batteries. You should not follow the advice in this article if it conflicts with the recommendations of your battery manufacturer or retailer.

    • Please note that nickel-cadmium batteries or batteries used in golf carts and scrubbers may have different electrolyte requirements.
  • Part 3

    How to Adjust Electrolyte Levels

    Fill the compartments only with distilled water. It is sold in most grocery stores. If the electrolyte level is too low (when the plates are visible), it is necessary to add enough water to each compartment to completely cover the plates. Then recharge the battery charger or just drive the car as normal for a few days. Just remember that when the battery is fully charged, you need to top it up to the maximum safe level - to the bottom edge of the neck

  • If the battery is very discharged, do not fill it completely. If the battery is discharged, it is better to add just enough water so that it just covers the plates (or not to add at all if the level is normal).

    • As the battery charges, the electrolyte level rises, so you need to leave enough room for the rising fluid. (This does not apply to batteries that are fully charged.)
    • The electrolyte level may also increase when the battery heats up.
  • Wipe off any spills and tighten the plugs. Before tightening the plugs, make sure that there is no debris left on them or on the lid that could get inside.

    • If you accidentally poured too much liquid without it overflowing, stop adding and just leave it as is. If everything has spread on the roof, then try not to touch the liquid, because it contains acid that can corrode skin and clothing.
    • Wipe up spills with a rag or paper towels, working away from the fill holes. Whatever you wipe with, do not allow it to become so soaked that it starts to drip onto other surfaces of the car and surrounding objects. Rinse the rag or paper towel in a bucket of water. Wear gloves to prevent water from getting on your hands.
    • When you're done wiping, throw the rag or paper towel into the trash. Carefully pour the water down the drain. Try not to splash the water so that any remaining acid does not get anywhere. Finally, wipe the surface that came into contact with the spilled acid with a rag soaked in window cleaner.
    • Inspect a full battery for a month. If the liquid overflows, wipe it as described above.
    • Even if liquid spills from the battery, there will be little sulfuric acid in it and its loss will not affect the functionality of the battery in any way. It is better not to add acid to make up for the loss, since too much acid will shorten the life of the battery even more than too little.

    Part 4

    What precautions should you take?

    Wear goggles to protect your eyes. The electrolyte in the battery is sulfuric acid, so it is very important to protect your eyes so that even a drop of this liquid does not get into them. Remember that you could be seriously injured or even lose your vision.

    • Contact lenses are not a means of protection and can only make matters worse if acid does get into your eyes. Ordinary glasses will not provide protection either, since they do not have protection on the sides.
    • The safest thing to do is wear safety glasses, which are available at most hardware stores.
  • If you feel a burning or tingling sensation in some place, a drop of electrolyte may have come into contact with you. Just one drop is enough for a burn.
  • If you think that electrolyte may have been splashed on you, stop working and immediately wash the area. Don't think that everything will work out. Redness or a wound does not appear immediately, but after some time.
  • When you're done, discard any gloves and rags you used. Otherwise, they may damage other things they come into contact with.
    • If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to seek help from a car mechanic. Many auto parts stores will perform this procedure for free.
    • When servicing your battery, keep it clean and tidy.
    • Do not remove the plugs while the car engine is running.
    • Wear eye protection. Battery sulfuric acid is very caustic and can cause vision loss.
    • You need to wear safety glasses to check the electrolyte level and add water to the compartments.
    • It is convenient to pry off the filler plugs with a 2.5 cm wide plastic spatula. Plastic spatulas are sold in many construction or hardware stores. You can also use a screwdriver with an insulated handle. When prying up the plug, do not touch its rod to any other metal parts, so that the resulting spark does not ignite the hydrogen gas inside the battery.
    • Keep the battery clean. Dirt retains moisture and is therefore somewhat conductive. First of all, this concerns dirt, which absorbs acid fumes from the battery. The current passing through the surface of the battery promotes corrosion of nearby metal parts.

    What you will need

    • Safety glasses
    • Gloves. Neoprene is best. You can use latex or vinyl. Nitrile does not resist battery sulfuric acid.
    • Rags (rags) or paper towels
    • Distilled water
    • A bottle with a sports cap, a syringe or a funnel.
    • Ammonia-based glass cleaner
    • Baking soda (optional, but can be used if there is severe corrosion on the battery terminals)
    • A plastic spatula (optional) 2.5 cm wide or a screwdriver with an insulated handle to pry out the cork.

    Many drivers are interested in how to add distilled water to the battery. After all, sometimes this work is necessary to maintain battery health. Most often, this is due to a decrease in the amount of electrolyte in the battery being serviced. Occasionally, such work is recommended for a maintenance-free starter battery. But this must be done extremely carefully; such a battery can be damaged very easily. Therefore, think several times before adding water to a maintenance-free battery. If the battery is old, then in some cases it is easier to purchase a new one.

    When to fill?

    How to add distilled water to the battery? First you need to decide when to do this. Let's start with the structure of the battery. It consists of a series of plates that are immersed in a mixture of electrolyte and water. As the vehicle operates, the liquid contained in the battery heats up and boils away. More precisely, the water boils away, but the electrolyte remains.

    As a result, some of the plates turn out to be dry, which leads to their damage. That is, you should add water when the liquid in the jars stops covering the plates. Some batteries have marks for inspection; if they are missing, then we focus on the top of the plates.

    Causes of boiling over

    There are several reasons for this phenomenon. The most common is overcharging. This usually happens in the summer, when the temperature is quite high, but energy consumption, on the contrary, is reduced. The generator produces current as usual. As a result, the temperature of the electrolyte increases even more. Result: the battery boils. Some of the water evaporates from it, the remaining components remain. The same thing happens when the network is overloaded (short circuit).

    Be careful, a decreased amount of liquid may indicate mechanical damage to the battery. This can happen if the battery is dropped on its side (some people drop it with the car). In any case, before adding water, determine the integrity of the battery.

    The easiest way to add distilled water is with a bulb. The same hydrometer is suitable for this. We simply fill it with liquid and transfer it to the battery jar. You can also use a large syringe or watering can. At the same time, do not forget to monitor the electrolyte level; do not overfill water above the recommended level. After completing the procedure, you need to let the battery settle. Within a few hours, the electrolyte will be sufficiently mixed with water. Then check the density, it should be slightly lower than the original values. You should also recharge the battery a little.

    Special mention should be made of adding water to the car. This can be done even with the engine running. At the same time, the engine should be running at idle speed. After this, it is advisable to leave the car running for 30-40 minutes. If necessary, you can drive quietly; it won’t do any harm, but the liquids will mix faster.

    Conclusion. Every car owner sooner or later is faced with the need to service the starter battery. This is where the question arises, how to add distilled water to the battery. It's actually not difficult. The main thing is to avoid making a few mistakes. One of them is getting dirt into jars, the other is using ordinary water. Use only distilled water for this.

    To prevent its density from increasing significantly when the electrolyte boils away, it is necessary to promptly add distilled water to the battery. How to properly add distilled water to the battery? Let's look at this process in more detail.

    Features of pouring distillate

    Before you begin the process of filling the distillate (electrolyte), the battery must be prepared. It needs to be turned off, removed, placed on a flat surface, and cleaned of dust and dirt. Cleaning the battery is a must because even tiny particles If dirt gets inside, it can lead to its complete failure. The easiest way to clean the battery is with a solution of regular baking soda.

    There are special risks inside the current source indicating minimal and maximum level for distillate.

    To prevent dirt from getting into the battery, use a regular syringe to fill with distilled water. It will allow you to pour liquid not only absolutely hygienically, but also as accurately as possible.

    After filling, close the battery and replace it.

    1. Under no circumstances should you add fluid immediately after you have turned off the engine. It needs to sit for at least six to eight hours. Only after “rest” can the battery be opened and the filling process begin.
    2. After filling with water, you also cannot immediately put the device into operation. Wait at least until the next morning, otherwise it may boil, which will lead to fatal consequences.
    3. Topping up with distillate will not make the device new, but will simply improve its functioning slightly. If the battery has already used up its resource, it is better to replace it with a new one.
    4. Before putting the battery into operation, check the volume of fluid inside. You can start using it only if the water level is within normal limits.
    5. And under no circumstances use ordinary water for refilling, but only special distilled water purchased from a specialist. stores in closed containers. When filling with ordinary water, the plates will be destroyed and the battery will completely fail.
    6. Filling water into the battery should be done when room temperature indoors.