[RE-wrenches] Adding acid to a battery

[Larry Crutcher, Starlight Solar Power Systems]

Hi Ron,

In this case you may need to but ONLY if you are sure the battery has been equalized to bring up the low cell. If the SG is rising during equalization, keep going. From your statement "over time", it may just be that this cell has been neglected.

The method would be to add electrolyte instead of water when the level gets low. With the battery fully charged (important), add a small amount and mix well with a bulb type battery filler. Test the SG. Repeat until you are getting the result. Equalize and test again.

Larry Crutcher
Starlight Solar Power Systems



On Feb 24, 2012, at 1:05 PM, Ron Young wrote:

A client purchased a set of batteries (not from me) and purchased BOS from me. The batteries are a double walled type and it appears that one must have fallen over during shipment or was improperly filled at the factory and some of the electrolyte leaked into the space between inner and outer wall. The only solution was to remove the inner battery cells and dump the acid from the case. A small amount (about a quart) of acid was replaced (1.26 s.g. automotive battery acid) and then topped up with distilled water. The battery performs fine but one cell appears to have a lower overall s.g. than the rest (1.45 vs. 1.65) . This has shown up over time. 

Question: has anyone added acid to a battery to raise the s.g. Is this an acceptable option or totally off the wall. These batteries still appear to have full capacity and to replace the single problem battery will be very expensive.

Ron
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