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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Battery Electrolyte

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Brian King
1st Mate

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USA
73 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/19/2008 : 13:47:01

If a deep cycle wet cell battery loses a significant amount of electrolyte, is there a way to bring it back? Is there an acid additive you can add, or do you just add distilled H2O, charge and pray?

Luna, Ericson 32-200, Fair Haven, Lake Ontario, NY

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5397 Posts

Response Posted - 02/19/2008 : 22:15:48

Brian -
Did the electrolyte leak out somehow, or was it boiled off due to overcharging?

If it leaked, any additional distilled water will simply dilute the acid and weaken the battery. If it boiled off and you got lucky and did not warp the electrodes, then adding water should be enough.

Is there any way to get into the electrolyte area? You can check the acid with a hygrometer to measure its specific gravity. If its very high, you can add water. If its low, you are out of luck unless you can get a resupply of acid.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 02/19/2008 : 22:56:25

The other thing that can make the electrolyte disappear is arcing between distorted plates (often from excessive or rapid discharging), which creates hydrogen gas that can go BANG if you make a spark on a battery terminal--not a good thing with a box full of acid! How old is the battery? Maybe it's time for a nice new AGM.

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Brian King
1st Mate

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USA
73 Posts

Response Posted - 02/25/2008 : 11:24:55

My guess is they were overcharged. I have on onboard charger the runs off shore power and it is supposed to sense the voltage (charge) in each battery and adjust the input accordingly. After bringing the batteries home for the winter I've been using a Sears charger that also is supposed to sense the charge stage of the battery and adjust the input. All 3 batteries are wet cell and I can easily remove the covers on the cells. I added distilled H2O to all and have been charging them up over the last few days. I guess I'll have to find my hygrometer or spend a couple of bucks on a new one. My hope was that I could buy some kind of battery rejuvinator at an auto store.

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Brian King
1st Mate

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USA
73 Posts

Response Posted - 02/25/2008 : 11:26:49

P.S. The batteries are not cracked.

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.