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Old 12-16-2005, 01:41 PM   #1
2007dura
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Battery water??

Do you have to use distilled water when topping your battery off? Mine is a little low, and didn't know if I could use tap water.
 
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Old 12-16-2005, 02:14 PM   #2
Glenn and Lorraine
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Actually although distilled water is recommended plain tap water can be used. Distilled water has no chemicals such as chlorine. Not sure about TN but distilled water is readily available at most super markets including the Super Wal*Marts here in Florida.
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Old 12-16-2005, 02:24 PM   #3
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The reason I was asking, is Wally World didn't have any. Thinking maybe this store was out.
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Old 12-16-2005, 02:26 PM   #4
Northstar
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Glenn is right the old rule was to use distilled water in batteries. Distilled water is easy to find these days. Merry Christmas
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Old 12-16-2005, 02:27 PM   #5
richfaa
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As Glenn pointed out tap water has a lot of junk in it,, distilled water is easy to get but if you can't boiling tap water will burn off most of the junk..
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Old 12-16-2005, 05:12 PM   #6
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It is the salts in tap water that cause the problem. The "harder" the water the more the salts it contains. These salts become deposited on the plates and interfere with the lead to lead ion exchange, inhibiting the efficient production of electricity. Limited use of tap water should not really cause much of a problem, but if it was used for several years to "top-up" the cells, it will definitely shorten the effective life of the battery. Best to use distilled or de-ionized water if possible. The word "salt" above refers to any minerals in the water. Soft water is no better for this purpose than hard water as soft water merely contains a different salt, not no salt.
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Old 12-16-2005, 05:42 PM   #7
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by richfaa

boiling tap water will burn off most of the junk..
Sorry, can't agree with that. If anything, boiling will make it worse.

Distilled or Di-ionized only. It is not that hard to find and a gallon should last you a long time.
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Old 12-17-2005, 12:55 AM   #8
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by OntMont

Quote:
quote:Originally posted by richfaa

boiling tap water will burn off most of the junk..
Sorry, can't agree with that. If anything, boiling will make it worse.

Distilled or Di-ionized only. It is not that hard to find and a gallon should last you a long time.
Gotta agree with OntMont on this one.

Found this on the net...
Distillation
Distillation is the collection of condensed steam produced by boiling water. Most contaminants do not vaporize and, therefore, do not pass to the condensate (also called distillate).

Boil the wate?? YES, But collect the Vapors and throw away the rest.


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Old 12-17-2005, 02:38 AM   #9
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oopps..One of those things where I knew what I meant but did not say it right>>>>>
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Old 12-17-2005, 03:38 AM   #10
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I'm from the old school: Use distilled water.
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Old 12-17-2005, 04:24 AM   #11
Glenn and Lorraine
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by ols1932

I'm from the old school: Use distilled water.
I totally agree but the other week when I let the cells get to low and I didn't have any distilled water I resorted to the tap water. Better tap water than no water covering the plates. I now keep distilled water in storage

AND while we are on the subject...Never add new electrolyte (battery acid) to a battery except to replace spilled liquid.
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Old 12-21-2005, 11:55 AM   #12
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You can find distilled water in many grocery stores now, in the water section
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Old 12-26-2005, 03:01 PM   #13
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I'll bet if you went to NAPA you could get Battery acid, or even one of those places that make batteries they must sell the stuff.
my Batteries dont need filling of any kind there Jelly Bellies, I love them.
http://www.1st-optima-batteries.com/
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Old 12-26-2005, 04:34 PM   #14
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I keep a gallon jug of distilled water in the rig w/a turkey baster for filling the battery. Works great and no worrries!
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