Topping up battery with distilled water

Submitted: Monday, Apr 24, 2006 at 15:54
ThreadID: 33187 Views:2722 Replies:4 FollowUps:1
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Hi all,
I just checked my camper trailer batteries and after being on maintenance from my 7amp Ctek charger for about 5 months I noticed the liquid was just below the top of the plates.
The batteries are 2 x 90 amp wet cell deep cycle batteries and are about 18 months old.
I have just topped them up and placed them on the charger again.
All seems to be fine but i have one question.

Have i done any damage to these batteries?

Thanks
Chris.
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Reply By: Peter McG (Member, Melbourne) - Monday, Apr 24, 2006 at 15:59

Monday, Apr 24, 2006 at 15:59
Chris

I doubt it but this is why many of us are changing to AGM batteries. Never need to top up.

Peter
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AnswerID: 168717

Reply By: Kiwi Kia - Monday, Apr 24, 2006 at 17:06

Monday, Apr 24, 2006 at 17:06
Not very likely but it depends on the quality of the water you used. Does your water have a lot of dissolved iron or lime ?

Some people use water collected when they defrost the fridge / freezer to top-up lead acid batteries as this free of all dissolved iron or lime etc.
AnswerID: 168725

Reply By: Member -Dodger - Monday, Apr 24, 2006 at 17:06

Monday, Apr 24, 2006 at 17:06
You more than likely saved the batts just in the nick of time. There should be little damage but time will tell. Now you know that regular checking of wet cell batts is a must.
Best of luck with them. If they die go the AGM batts.
I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.

Cheers Dodg.

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AnswerID: 168726

Reply By: Emo - Monday, Apr 24, 2006 at 22:17

Monday, Apr 24, 2006 at 22:17
My auto electrician told me to check my wet cell deep cycle every couple of weeks and that they do need frequent topping up. Apparently this is the reason why alotof people reckon that wet cell deep cycle batteries don't last very long. They never kept the maintenance up to them.
AnswerID: 168801

Follow Up By: Muzzgit (WA) - Monday, Apr 24, 2006 at 23:30

Monday, Apr 24, 2006 at 23:30
I'll drink to that !!!

The wet cell deep cycle in my patrol didn't last 2 years, but I checked the levels probably 4 times a year. I think the bigger killer was the discharging.

I got better results just using standard "starting" type batteries, which is why I've gone to a sealed calcium/calcium cranking battery on both sides of the car.

I guess I'll find out in a year or two?

At any rate, if i have to replace the aux battery every couple of years @ $100 a pop, then life aint so bad.
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