I recently started charging my 6 volt & thought I better check fluid levels. It was way down in all 3 cylinders. (half empty) I had saved water from a dehumidifier in two empty lemonade bottles. I understand water from dehumidifiers is ok for a battery. So I topped up the battery but when almost finished, I noticed a slight bit of film going in so I stopped and used the other bottle. Then I checked both bottles and noticed some sort of sediment in the bottom. By then the battery was full anyway.
So my question is, did I ruin my battery ? Should I keep charging it ? Should I try to empty it and buy some electrolyte ? I'm trying to do things correctly but things don't always go that way.
I'd say you are fine as is. Dehumidifier water captures all the dust, dirt and pollen in the air, much like the evaporator in your A/C system. It does create a bit of a sludge, but the sludge will likely settle to the bottom of the battery and do no harm. Next time, a bottle of distilled water is a good investment but now that its in there, I would not disturb it further. Once it settles it will stay there unless you are trying out for the Helldrivers!
I'd say you are fine as is. Dehumidifier water captures all the dust, dirt and pollen in the air, much like the evaporator in your A/C system. It does create a bit of a sludge, but the sludge will likely settle to the bottom of the battery and do no harm. Next time, a bottle of distilled water is a good investment but now that its in there, I would not disturb it further. Once it settles it will stay there unless you are trying out for the Helldrivers!
Well it appears to have charged just fine and my new 6 volt tender seems to have worked as it should. And now the battery isn't half empty so maybe it all turned out well. Either way, I learned something new again.
Check batteries? Maintenance free now, it's 2021. Do the lids even come off?
That's what I was thinking. Last night I thought tomorrow when I go out to the shop I'll have to look at the battery's but then I had a seniors moment and forgot to look. Thanks for mentioning that.
I only purchased the truck recently. I guess I should have checked the level right away. So much to learn every day in this hobby.
yea, it will become part of your spring spruce up and check before summer. the only batts i have with screw caps are the 4 big 6 volts in the golf cart. for them i use water from a rain barrel and i will use well water if there isn't enough in the barrel.
You can get distilled water at the grocery store. A 4 liter jug is only a couple of bucks, take a look where the laundry stuff is. They use it in the clothes iron so it doesn't get the iron all lime scaled up. Exactly why it should be used in batteries for the same reason.
