How to add water to the battery. How to add water to the battery: common mistakes. What happens if you pour boiled water

When the battery starts to "boil" the electrolyte level drops and its density becomes higher. If you "miss" this moment and do not correct it in time, then the battery may lose its capacity over time. So that it does not "boil", it is necessary to add the required amount of distilled water to it. Before starting to do this, the best solution would be to consult with a specialist, or at least ask a more experienced car owner how to add water to the battery. Before doing this, be sure to clean the surface of the battery. This procedure is necessary for several reasons. First. The surface is most likely heavily contaminated with sulfuric acid, which splashed out during boiling, and contact with it is dangerous for a person and his clothes.

Second. Dirt can get inside the battery and damage it further. Third. Keeping your job clean is simply much more enjoyable. In order to clean the surface, you need to gently wipe it with a damp cloth. It is best to dampen the cloth with a baking soda solution. Available on top cover the grooves, especially around the plugs, are easiest to clean with a match or cotton swab. Only distilled water can be poured into the battery. Moreover, only in cans in which the electrolyte level is below the minimum. The level in translucent batteries is determined by special marks - risks on the sides of the case. Inside the filler holes, you can see the tides that represent the upper and lower levels. If there are no marks, then you can focus on a level about 10-15 mm above the top of the plates.

It is recommended to add water to the battery using an ordinary rubber bulb, a large syringe, or using an aerometer (more precisely, its outer flask) to measure the density of the electrolyte. After adding water, the density of the electrolyte is not restored immediately, since there are small gaps in the battery between the plates and therefore liquids are mixed rather slowly (sometimes the density is restored only after several weeks). For this reason, after adding water, the battery should stand for at least a few hours. Only in this case the density indicators will more or less become close to real ones, and it will be possible to measure it.

In order to determine the density as accurately as possible, it is necessary to measure it several times at regular intervals. If the difference between measurements before and after is not very large, it means that the battery is ready for use again after a short charge. The most common mistake of motorists with little experience is topping up non-distilled water into the battery. If you fill in the battery plain water from the tap, which contains a lot of various impurities and salts, the density of the chemical composition of the electrolyte is violated. Because of this, then the battery begins to lose charge faster, sulfation and destruction of the plates occurs, and the battery capacity also decreases.

Another common mistake is topping up water in the cold. This should not be done for obvious reasons - the upper electrolyte layer in this case simply freezes, not having time to mix with the lower one. The result may be the destruction of the case of the battery itself, as well as its failure. If in winter, just before a trip somewhere, it is found necessary to add water, then it is better to do this before leaving, otherwise you will have to fiddle around on the road, and then, perhaps, buy a new battery. In order for the electrolyte density to return to normal faster after refilling, you can drive it a little (up to 40-50 minutes) on a idle car. You can also add water to the battery while the engine is running.

Another of the most common mistakes car enthusiasts make is forgetfulness or simple negligence. Many do not bother to clean the surface of the battery from dirt. What can happen from this is described in one of the first paragraphs of this article. This is how ordinary human laziness can lead to the fact that a battery, even a new one, simply stops performing its functions properly or stops working altogether and goes to the recyclable market.

There are times when the battery requires adding water to restore the electrolyte level. In no case should you add it before recharging. This is also a common mistake of inexperienced or lazy drivers. It's just that during recharging, the electrolyte volume increases, and excess liquid can simply overflow through the covers, damaging the cables, clamps, stands and floors. Water can be topped up not earlier than 2-3 hours before the end of the recharge. Mistakes are often made by those who have never read the battery manual and those who inattentively, "between the lines" read the tips that are given on the forums on how to add distilled water to the battery.

Sitting in a car and turning the ignition key, many do not even realize that at this moment complex chemical processes are taking place under the hood. For a long and efficient operation of the battery, the chemical purity of the internal components of the battery is important. Distilled water is the key to a long and trouble-free battery life. If you follow all the rules and do not add ordinary water to the battery, you can avoid many problems with the car.

The role of the electrolyte in the battery

The liquid electrolyte consists of sulfuric acid and pure distilled water. Pure sulfuric acid is capable of melting lead, so it must be diluted to a ratio of about 1.27 g / cm³. Over time, it evaporates and the percentage of acid increases. The battery starts to malfunction, and if this situation is not corrected, the battery will become unusable.

Define, how much water to add into the battery by checking the electrolyte level.

How to check the level at home:

• We turn off the corks
• With a transparent plastic or glass tube we collect the electrolyte covering the plates. (The body of a simple ballpoint pen is ideal)
• The liquid level should be approximately 1.5 - 2 cm.
• Different control marks are provided depending on the battery manufacturer.

Important! You need to top up only if the level has dropped in at least one of the cans.

Reasons for low electrolyte levels:

• Evaporation of water overcharged and hot weather. It easily turns into steam, but acid does not. In this case, you need to top up with distilled purified water to bring the density to the desired parameter.
• Crack in the case. In this case, you will need to solder the case (if it is made of polypropylene) or dispose of the battery. After restoring the tightness, you will need to top up the ready-made electrolyte.
• Rollover. On the ends of the case there are special drain holes, intended for the release of vapors and hydrogen during "boiling". If the battery is turned over, some electrolyte will leak out. You will have to raise the level by adding electrolyte.

Specifications

A universal natural thinner - H2O, or water. Due to its universal properties, it is practically impossible to find pure water without impurities in nature. In any case, it naturally occurs in the form of solutions of salts or oxides.

You can clean the water different ways, the most popular is evaporation and subsequent condensation. In nature, this process occurs within the cycle of evaporation - precipitation. People have accelerated this process through distillation. The distiller device is known for its use in moonshine stills - a heating cube, intermediate tanks, a cooler.

Distilled water is an excellent dielectric. Most cleanliness instruments use the principle of measuring the resistance between electrodes immersed in a liquid. For relatively pure water, electrodes lowered by 1 cm with a distance of 2.5 cm between themselves have a resistance of 33 Ohm.

What to replace?

Usually, motorists do not have a question - where to get distilled water? - after all, it is sold in almost every household or auto chemistry store. Industrial purified water is the purest. The quality of the product is checked on a complex expensive equipment, the factory conditions are close to ideal.

What can be refilled if there is no distilled water?

Important! Lying snow is not good- melt water during thaws penetrates lower, carrying impurities in the thickness.

Distillation. It is quite possible to carry out cleaning in any kitchen. You can buy a compact distiller, or build it yourself.

The simplest distiller can be prepared in the kitchen with your own hands, for this you will need:

1. Two glass bottles, one of which will have a curved neck.
2. Scotch.
3. Pot with a volume of 20 liters.
4. Ice pack.

Do not fill the bottle with a straight neck to the end, so that thirteen centimeters remain to the top. Tape the necks of both bottles with tape. The pot that the water bottle will drop into must be filled to completely cover the bottle. Ice should be on the empty bottle. The water will begin to evaporate and as soon as the second bottle is full of distillate, the process can be completed.

It is impossible to achieve high quality, but relatively clean water can be obtained.

Useful video

Very interesting video with distillation and testing of water at home:

Why you can't fill in plain water

Diluting the electrolyte with plain water can significantly reduce the efficiency of the battery.

Natural water cannot be clean. The amount of impurities ranges from 0.01% to 0.1%. There is dirt and dust in rain and melt water, in ordinary and boiled water there are salts and minerals that will settle on the plates and destroy them. The resistance will increase, and the battery capacity in the meantime will decrease, the electrical conductivity will change.

Can boiled water be poured into the battery? - No!

Doing this is strictly prohibited. Impurities will settle on the lead plates and interfere with their redox reactions. The contact area between lead and electrolyte is reduced, and the battery is damaged.

It is possible to "kill" the battery by charging it with water with a high content of impurities in one discharge-charge cycle.

Battery maintenance features

The battery in cars is a consumable item - it breaks down over time. The service life can be significantly extended by proper maintenance, which is carried out according to the following rules

• The battery must be charged before servicing.
• By charging and checking the density of honey, it should take 5-7 hours to stop the processes of sulfation of the plates.
• Before topping up, it is imperative to check the density with a calibrated hydrometer!
• After refilling, charge the battery again. This will mix the electrolyte faster.
• After use, check the electrolyte density and battery capacity again using the load plug.

If the battery capacity drops sharply and the electrolyte becomes cloudy, then it is out of order and it is time to change it.

Water is required for marine and freshwater fish. In natural conditions, the main requirement is purity, because harmful impurities do not allow the inhabitants to reproduce and develop successfully. However, how does the situation develop at home? In fact, the question "what water to put in the aquarium" is really important, because you need to keep in mind the quality of the aquarium water. For example, if you use untreated tap water, your pets will have to face serious harm. For this reason, you need to remember about useful recommendations.

What kind of water does an aquarium need?

The most important rule is the lack of fresh water. Otherwise, it will be extremely difficult for aquarium inhabitants to exist in their house.

At the same time, the presence of chemical compounds that are destructive should not be allowed. The greatest risk is chlorine. Considering this aspect, it is best to defend water.

Optimal water settling time

For elimination harmful substances requires one to two weeks of preparation. It is advisable to use a large bucket or basin for settling.

If necessary, you can buy special preparations that can neutralize the chemicals in the water. Professionals recommend defending tap water even if such preparations are used.

Optimum aquarium water characteristics

It is best to pour into the aquarium, trying to achieve certain indicators.

1. Room temperature is best parameter for aquarium inhabitants. For this reason, a decent indicator is from +23 to +26 degrees. For this reason, in the cold season, it is undesirable to take the aquarium to the balcony or put the fish house next to a heater or heating battery.
2. largely determines the life span of aquarium inhabitants. Taking into account this nuance, it is advisable to control the composition of the water used. Calcium and magnesium always lead to an increase in hardness. The range of hardness pleases with its variety. Fish can live in water of any hardness, but at the same time magnesium and calcium become useful only at certain quantitative indicators. In an aquarium, you can assume that the hardness will constantly change, because the inhabitants will assimilate the salts. Taking into account the regular changes in an important indicator, it is recommended to renew the water in the aquarium.
3. Water purification involves full shift water in the aquarium. However, this task is not always necessary. Modern technologies allow the use of special filters for cleaning, working on activated carbon.

Aeration of water in the aquarium

This parameter depends on the temperature regime, plants and fish. Aeration allows you to control oxygen in the house of marine or freshwater inhabitants who have fallen into the conditions of the apartment. Manufacturers offer special devices that please with the efficiency in terms of supplying the volume of oxygen to the aquarium.

In addition, you can use purification filters with pre-installed compressors. By fully controlling the water, it is possible to guarantee the successful life of the fish. V mandatory any indicator related to water should change gradually and without abrupt changes. Responsible approach and consideration of numerous nuances allows you to bring the conditions in the aquarium closer to their natural environment.

What kind of water is right for the aquarium?

Is it possible to use regular tap water? What kind of water should you use for your aquarium when taking care of your fish?

1. It is best to use soft, neutral water. Such water flows in water pipes, but at the same time it should not be connected with artesian wells. For softening, it is recommended to use distilled or rainy water, as well as thawed water.
2. Plain tap water cannot be used. It is imperative to defend the collected liquid, ridding it of excess gases.
3. Chlorine removal from the aquarium water is a must. If the chlorine value exceeds 0.1 milligram, larvae and young fish will die in a couple of hours, 0.05 milligrams will be dangerous for fish eggs.
4. The pH level should be monitored responsibly. For optimal performance, it is recommended to purge with air and deliver the liquid in portions to the fish house. The minimum pH value should be 7 units.

Features of changing aquarium water

Every aquarium owner understands the need to change the water in a fish house.

The old water must be drained from the aquarium using a hose. In this case, it is recommended to use a container located below the main aquarium. It is best to put fish and snails in a bottle for a while, where there will be settled water.

During the event, it is advisable to rinse the aquarium algae using cold water. Some plants will have to be thrown out, causing such an act to unfavorable changes in the state.

Decorative items, including pebbles and shells, aquarium sculptures, must be rinsed with hot tap water, but cleaning agents must not be used. If necessary, pebbles can be treated with boiled water.

Traditionally, a special brush is used to remove dirt from aquarium glass.

After a similar procedure, shells and stones can be placed in the aquarium. In the next step, it is allowed to plant algae. After that, you can fill the aquarium with water, but do not overdo it with the thickness of the stream. After the new water has been added, it is recommended to install aquatic equipment to monitor the life of the inhabitants. It is recommended to start the fish only after all procedures have been successfully carried out.

How often do you need to change the water? Partial volume is recommended for weekly execution as water can evaporate. For this reason, it is best to add water to the aquarium once a week. Complete cleaning should be done once a month. If the fish died due to poor-quality tap water or other unfavorable factors, it is advisable to replace the aquarium water, thereby protecting other marine or freshwater inhabitants.

Full control over the living conditions of the aquarium inhabitants guarantees the opportunity to enjoy beautiful and healthy fish.

Lead-acid car batteries store energy as long as there is a chemical reaction between the electrolyte and the conductive plates. When the density of the electrolyte changes, this process is disrupted. No matter what the reason for the deterioration of the electrolyte, the battery does not work. An electrolyte replacement, density adjustment or purchase of a new battery is required. If the electrolyte turns black and contains a suspension of coal and scale, the battery will have to be replaced.

The electrolyte is a mixture of sulfuric acid and water in a certain proportion. The concentration of the solution is recognized by the density measured by the hydrometer. The main indicator, even hundredths of a fraction, affect the ability of the electrolyte to work for energy storage.

Signs of a bad electrolyte:

Replacing the electrolyte in the battery will be effective when the cavities of the cans are examined, rinsed, and sulfate sediment removed. If the plates are destroyed, the active substance crumbled - the battery is not repairable.

At home complete replacement electrolyte in the car battery occurs in the sequence:

• Prepare an enamel or glassware for draining electrolyte, personal protective equipment, a place to work, preferably outdoors.
• Remove the battery from the car, remove the plugs or drill holes in the maintenance-free battery, drain the liquid into the prepared container using a pear or syringe.
• The battery is rinsed with distilled water several times until the sediment is removed. Lead sulfate may need to be removed if there is sediment on the plates. It is necessary to make sure that the active putty has not crumbled, the charcoal grate is intact.
• Slowly, intermittently, pour electrolyte of the required density into each jar 5-7 mm above the plates. Wait 2-3 hours for bubbles to come out, measure the density of the electrolyte, bring to normal
• Charge the battery after replacing the electrolyte with a low current of 0.1 A, avoiding boiling. After reaching half of the capacity, charging is carried out cyclically.
• Seal the cans.

How long does it take to charge the battery? After changing the electrolyte, you need to charge the battery carefully, as after a deep discharge. The operation of replacing the electrolyte with your own hands in a car battery is considered complete if it fully accepts current for a long time. Charging is carried out carefully, boiling in cans is unacceptable.

We offer you to watch the video on correct replacement electrolyte in a car battery.

Why it is impossible to add electrolyte to the battery

Have you measured the level in the battery banks, is it below normal? This means that some of the water has evaporated. If it is a serviced battery, you need to measure the level in each can and add electrolyte to the norm with water. In an unattended battery, the bay mirror is visible through the walls.

The level has dropped, which means there is little water in the solution and a high density. The added electrolyte will raise the level, but the density of the solution will remain high. This is detrimental to the battery plates and shortens the battery life. Therefore, the electrolyte should be brought up to the level by adding distilled water.

Watch the video on how to change the electrolyte.

When do I add electrolyte to the battery?

The electrolyte is added to the battery when the capacity decreases. At the same time, measurements with a hydrometer of the contents of each can show a decrease in density. It is possible that sulfation has occurred in the battery, the associated acid residue in PbSO4 does not participate in the reaction.

If the electrolyte removed from the jars is clear, light, it can be reused by adding a correction solution with a density of 1.4 g / cm3. After removing the sediment on the plates, the battery is filled with the same electrolyte, but it is of low concentration. Is it possible to bring the solution to the required density by adding electrolyte? What composition to take, and how much should be added to the accumulator of the correction solution?

According to the technology, it is necessary to replace a portion of a weak composition with a strong one. You can add and remove the electrolyte solution from the cans using a pear and a graduated cylinder. How to change the solutions, in what proportion can be seen from the table.

In this case, only electrolyte should be used for correction. After the replacement operation, recharging is carried out for half an hour so that the liquids are mixed. Two hours after turning off the charger, the density is checked, if necessary, the correction is repeated.

We suggest that you familiarize yourself with the video on how to add electrolyte to the battery.

What to add to the battery, water or electrolyte

Subject to the operating conditions, maintenance-free batteries do not require control of the density and electrolyte level. Serviced joint stock banks have special plugs - access to each bank. They regularly check the quality indicator and electrolyte level. The energy reserve of a battery is determined by the weakest cell. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain the same density of electrolyte in all cans.

The density in the jar may decrease if sulfation begins. Then adding electrolyte won't help. The strong resistance of the hammered plates does not allow the charge to pass through, the added acid will increase deposits. In this case, the charge will restore sulfation. That is why it is impossible to add electrolyte to batteries with a bloom of lead sulfate.

Should you add water to the battery? If the electrolyte level in the jars is low, this indicates intense boiling of the battery during operation. Mostly hydrogen is evaporated. Active putty can crumble from bare plates, sulfation and corrosion will occur. Therefore, it is necessary to add distilled water, but after that the battery must be charged for a full cycle.

During the recovery period, the lead crystals are partially destroyed, the dense solution is diluted, and the electrolyte activity is restored. Add electrolyte or water into the battery into the holes covered with plugs with a small stream through the funnel. Charging does not start immediately, so that the air comes out, the compositions are mixed.

Density control should be carried out half an hour after switching off the charger. Correct for density deviations.

When to add electrolyte and when to add water

The question is, how to top up if there is little electrolyte in the battery banks requires special lighting. Liquids such as electrolyte or distilled water must be filled correctly into the battery. The body and funnel must be clean, the liquid to be poured is transparent, without suspension. You can add electrolyte with water using a medical syringe without a needle if only minor adjustments are required.

When can you add water to the battery electrolyte? If in one or several banks the electrolyte level in the battery is low. This is due to the boiling of the cans in an elevated temperature or deep discharge environment. The addition of distilled water replenishes volume losses, reduces the density of the electrolyte, and prevents rapid battery wear.

Do I need to charge the battery after adding water or changing the electrolyte? Any change in internal balance requires alignment and stabilization. After changing the concentration of the liquid, it is necessary to carry out a full charge cycle, make sure that the battery has not lost its capacity, the voltage at the terminals is stable, and provides a starting current.

Is it possible to add electrolyte to the battery if it is accidentally splashed out? How did it happen? The appliance may have been turned over. This is one of the few cases when the leaked electrolyte is replaced with exactly the same one and even the temperature is adjusted. But you still need to recharge and check the density.

Watch the video on how to properly add electrolyte to the battery. Water or electrolyte, what to top up?

How to add electrolyte to a maintenance-free battery

Everything is much more complicated if it was necessary to add water to the electrolyte of a maintenance-free car battery. Through the translucent walls, you can see how much electrolyte is in the jars. But how do you get into the case of a maintenance-free battery?

There are models in which you can get inside by cutting off the top cover with a grinder. But such actions are necessary if you need to remove scale and rinse the sludge that has settled below. In order to add liquid to the right level drill a hole in the body. Later, it is sealed with epoxy glue.

Fully maintenance-free battery requires careful handling, is afraid of deep discharges and unstable work on-board battery. It can withstand the declared 5-7 years only under ideal conditions.

How to disassemble a maintenance-free battery to top up electrolyte

In modern batteries, such as VARTA, under the decorative sticker you can see 6 plates tightly recessed into the case. If you pick up the circle with an awl, you can find a rubber stopper under it. Then it will be possible to take a sample of the electrolyte, measure the density, and correct the composition. If there is no plug, a hole is pricked in each can with a thin awl, and water is started from a syringe, in drops.

But if it is found that whitish stripes on the plates in cans, this is sulfation. To clean the cavities, remove the sediment at the bottom, you will need to open the lid by sawing.

Watch a video on how to add electrolyte to a maintenance-free battery.

Add electrolyte to the gel battery

Refilling the battery cans is easy. You need to remove the sticker on the body, remove the valve caps and add 1.2 ml of water to each jar. The water should be absorbed into the jelly-like mass. Need time. After half an hour, if the water is above the surface of the battery plates, remove it with a filter or syringe.

Accumulator battery (storage battery) is perhaps one of the most important parts in a car's equipment. She is responsible for starting the engine in any conditions, for all electrical components and devices. On the injection motors the condition of the computer also depends on the correct operation of the battery ( electronic unit engine control), because with electronic fuel injection, the battery evens out the voltage surges that appear during the operation of the generator.

You will need

• Distilled water, syringe, glass tube with a diameter of about 5mm, charger from 0.05-1.5A.

Instructions

First you need to measure the electrolyte level. To do this, unscrew the plugs on the top surface of the battery (a wide screwdriver works well), insert a glass tube the size of a ballpoint pen into one of the compartments and submerge it on the bottom. Cover the upper opening of the tube with your finger and pull it out, the electrolyte level in the tube is equal to the level in the battery (the norm is 13-15 mm), if higher, then it is worth sucking out the excess electrolyte with a syringe, below it is time to top up with distilled water. Suck clean water into a syringe and add 5-10 ml to each of the six sections of the battery. Thus, to achieve the desired level of electrolyte in the battery. Take a special charger, connect it to the battery without closing the plugs. This is necessary if there is an excess of electrolyte, it will have where to leak out. First, charge and discharge the battery 3-4 times to restore capacity. Then set the current on the device for charging at 0.1A and monitor the voltage at the terminals. Do not allow the battery to boil or overheat; if necessary, reduce the charging current. Normal voltage when fully charged, it should be 13.9-14.5V. Then reduce the current to 0.05A and continue charging. If during the next 2 hours the voltage remains unchanged, stop charging! Close the covers. For greater reliability, the battery should withstand approximately 12 hours. Then start exploiting. The battery is ready for use!

Despite the fact that modern industry produces maintenance-free batteries, it will not be superfluous to check the electrolyte in the battery and make sure its quality is superfluous.

You will need

• Glass tube with a diameter of 5 mm,
• hydrometer.

Instructions

One of the tasks when checking the electrolyte will be to measure its level in each jar. In order to complete the task, it is necessary to tear off the packaging film and unscrew the caps in each can. Then a glass tube is taken in hand and one end is immersed in the electrolyte, reaching the separator, the upper opening of the tube is tightly closed with a thumb, and in this state it is removed from the battery can.

If the electrolyte level in the battery is correct, the tube must be filled at least 10 mm. In cases where the level is insufficient, then this is considered a factory defect. At the next stage, the density of the electrolyte poured into the battery is checked. To achieve the goal, we take a hydrometer in our hand and take electrolyte from each bank of the battery in turn. If it is found that the density of the electrolyte in the battery banks does not correspond to the norm or it turns out that it is below 1.27 units, then such a battery should not be purchased.

note

For the southern regions of Russia, electrolyte with a density of 1.25 units is poured into the batteries. And it is also necessary to take into account that a decrease in the density of the specified solution by one unit indicates a battery discharge by six percent. And if in a trading organization the battery is discharged by 10% or more, then such a battery is also considered defective.

With the "boiling" of storage batteries (accumulator batteries), the level drops and the density of the electrolyte increases. If the necessary measures are not taken in time, the battery will eventually lose its capacity. You can restore these indicators if you add water to the battery.

You will need

Instructions

Clean the surface of the battery Cleaning the surface of the storage battery is necessary for several reasons. Firstly, the surface can be contaminated with splashed sulfuric acid, which is unsafe for the worker and his clothes, secondly, contamination can get inside the battery and lead to its damage, and thirdly, it is more pleasant to work in cleanliness. To clean the surface, it is enough to gently wipe with a damp cloth, preferably moistened with a baking soda solution. The recesses on the top cover, especially around the plugs (or filler holes), are best cleaned with a match. Topping up water You can only add distilled water to those jars where the electrolyte level is below the minimum mark. You can determine this in translucent batteries by the "risks" on the sides of the case. Tides are visible inside the fill holes to indicate the top and bottom levels. If there are no marks, then you should focus on a level above 10-15 mm above the top of the plates. It is best to add water to the battery using a rubber bulb, a large medical syringe, or using an aerometer (or rather an outer flask) to measure the density of the electrolyte. Measure the density of the electrolyte The density of the electrolyte after adding water is not restored immediately. This is due to the fact that in the battery there are small gaps between the plates, and the mixing of liquids occurs very slowly (sometimes the density evens out after a few weeks). Therefore, after adding water, it is necessary for the battery to settle for several hours. Only then the density indicators will approach the real ones, and it can be measured. To accurately determine the density, it is necessary to take several measurements at regular intervals. And if the difference between the present and the previous measurements is negligible, the battery is ready for use after recharging.

The charger can charge the battery with an almost constant current or dynamically change it as the capacity is increased. Connecting an ammeter in series with the battery, even with a very low internal resistance, can disrupt the charging mode. A special non-contact device will come to the rescue.

Instructions

The device you need can be called differently: clamp meter, non-contact ammeter, current clamp, etc. All these names are synonymous. Choose a clamp meter in which the element that is sensitive to the magnetic field created by the current conductor is not an inductor, but a Hall sensor. It differs in the coil in that it reacts not only to an alternating, but also to a constant field, which means that the current clamp with it is able to measure in a non-contact way and D.C.... Use the limit switch on the instrument to select the range that best matches your intended charge current. Its approximate value is indicated in the instructions for the charger or directly on the case of the latter. Press the clamp meter lever and the magnetic core halves will disperse. Place one of the conductors that carry the charging current between them. Do not place both conductors at the same time, because then their fields will mutually cancel, and the current clamp will show zero even with a significant current strength. Close the magnetic circuit and turn on the charger. You will immediately see the current value on the indicator. Start the stopwatch at the same time. Enter the readings of both devices in the table. Divide the duration of the charge cycle indicated in the instructions for the charger into several intervals, and it is with this frequency that you continue to record the readings of both devices in the table. When the charge is complete, turn off all devices, including the charger itself, disconnect the battery, and then plot a graph of the charge current versus time. Select the horizontal coordinate for time and vertical for current. If you now show this graph to a specialist, he will be able to say a lot both about the literacy of the charge algorithm chosen by the designers of the device, and about the state of the battery itself. Perhaps the latter needs to be replaced or restored with the help of special equipment.

note

Do not short-circuit the battery. Please note that some charging device are made in a transformerless circuit, so do not touch the terminals while charging.

note

When servicing the battery, do not forget about your own safety. It is necessary to strictly observe the elementary precautionary rules. The battery contains sulfuric acid and flammable oxyhydrogen gas; during operation, keep away from sources of open fire.

Useful advice

During the operation and maintenance of the battery, it is better to wipe its surface with a cloth soaked in ammonia or a solution of water with baking soda... It is especially effective when electrolyte gets on the surface of the battery.

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How to add distilled water to the battery

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How to add water to the battery at home

Hello blog readers! If there is a serviced battery under the hood of your car, you simply must know how to add water to the battery. Yes, and with basic concepts it won't hurt to figure it out. For example, how the battery works, what electrolyte is and what kind of water can be poured into cans.

How the battery works

In fact, there is nothing complicated in the device of a serviced battery. It consists of:

• cans;
• lead plates;
• electrolyte.

Let's take a closer look at these concepts. The jar contains packages of negative and positive lead plates. In fact, it is a mini battery.

The can is filled with an electrochemical liquid - electrolyte. It is thanks to her that the accumulation of charge in the battery becomes possible. Those. when charging and discharging the battery, the process of converting electrical energy into chemical energy and vice versa occurs.

Each bank is capable of producing 2-2.2V voltage. There are 6 of them in the battery, and since they are connected in series, a current of 12 volts is obtained at the output.

During operation and recharging, the battery heats up and the water evaporates, so you need to add water to the battery.

Battery charge and discharge

When the battery is discharged, sulfuric acid is absorbed from the electrolyte. Giving up energy, its particles settle on the plates in the form of salt. As a result, the density of the electrolyte decreases.

When charging the battery, the opposite process occurs. Distilled water evaporates from the cans, sulfuric acid is not volatile, therefore it remains in place. The salts that precipitated on the plates during the discharge dissolve. As a result, the density of the electrolyte increases. And the battery is gaining its capacity. Because during operation, the liquid level in the banks decreases, you need to know how to add water to the battery.

There is such a thing - battery sulfation. What does it mean? If you allow strong discharges or discharge the battery and do not charge it for a long time, the density of the liquid will drop, sulfates will cover the plates with a thick layer, become hard and unable to dissolve. As a result, the battery loses its capacity and dies. Therefore, it is important to keep an eye on your battery.

What is electrolyte

Battery full special liquid- almost every motorist knows this. It is called electrolyte. Liquid composition:

• sulfuric acid - 35%;
• distilled water - 65%.

Those. the mixture is still the same. Therefore, the first rule when servicing a battery at home is accuracy. If a drop of electrolyte gets on clothes, it will disappear and leave a burn on the body. Sulfuric acid after all.

Density

In simple terms, the density of an electrolyte is the percentage of sulfuric acid to distilled water. The normal value is 1.27-1.29 g / cm3. This indicator can be used to determine the charge level and state of the battery.

The density in cans is measured very simply - you need a device called a hydrometer. If your car battery serviced - you simply must have it in your arsenal. Especially when you consider how much the device costs. The price is 200-300 rubles, everyone can afford it.

Why high or low density is dangerous

Is it possible to add electrolyte to the battery? It is possible, but only in extreme cases. If, instead of water, add pure electrolyte to the jars, the percentage of sulfuric acid will increase. As a result, the mixture will begin to corrode the lead plates. In general, its limiting density is 1.35 g / cm3. No more.

If we assume a low density:

• capacity decreases;
• in severe frost, the battery may freeze.

Thus, you need to know what is the density of the liquid in the jar. Deviations from the norm will lead to irreversible consequences. A slight increase in density can be used if the battery is operated in severe frosts.

What is distilled water

Distilled water is pure h3O without impurities, salts and minerals. In fact, it is an absolute dielectric. Why is the distillate pouring? The fact is that sulfuric acid contains salts that settle on the plates during discharge and dissolve during battery charging. Those. the electrolyte has some conductivity. And if you pour water with impurities, the required proportion of salts will be violated, therefore, it will lose its properties.

Again, during battery operation, water evaporates. Because there are no impurities in the distilled liquid, after evaporation nothing remains in the can - everything goes into gases. It turns out that the distillate can be poured into the battery as many times as you like - this will not have a detrimental effect on the electrolyte.

How to replace distillate

Among motorists, the question is sometimes raised - how to replace distilled water in the battery. Among the options offered you can find:

• rainwater - it does not contain salts and minerals;
• boiled - if the water is boiled, it turns into distilled;
• ordinary water - nothing will happen to the battery, the neighbor has filled in order.

Sorry, it's not true, pour plain water without unpleasant consequences it will not work. Because distilled water, no other can be replaced. For example, in rain or melt water there will be impurities of dirt and dust that will settle on the plates.

In ordinary or boiled - minerals and salts, which not only will settle on the plates, but also disrupt the properties of the electrolyte. Those. it is not known how the battery will behave in the future.

Battery maintenance

A serviced battery requires regular topping up of water. During the operation of the battery, it evaporates from the cans - this is a normal process, so you can't get away from maintenance.

So, how to add distilled water to the battery correctly:

• the battery must be placed on a horizontal plane, otherwise the measurement of the electrolyte level in the cans will not be accurate, and it will not be possible to correctly determine how much water to pour into the cans;
• the surface must be cleaned of dirt and wiped well - sulfuric acid could have leaked from the cans;
• then all the plugs are unscrewed;
• now you need to determine how much water to pour into the battery. Usually, the battery has labels for the maximum and minimum level, but if they are not there, you need to adhere to the rule - the electrolyte should be 1-1.5 cm higher than the plates;
• measurement is made special glass flask- it is lowered into the jar, the upper hole is closed with a finger, after which it is removed. The level in the flask shows how much the liquid is above the plates;
• water is poured into the banks for the battery;
• the battery is being charged.

If the liquid level is allowed below the plates, they will begin to collapse. Therefore, it is important to check how much electrolyte is in the battery and not to miss the moment when to add water to it.

Battery density measurement

After adding distilled water, you need to check the density of the electrolyte. It should be within the following limits:

• 1.25 g / cm3 in the south of Russia;
• 1.27 g / cm3 in the middle lane;
• 1.29 g / cm3 in the north.

How to correctly measure density? First, as mentioned above, you need an aerometer. Secondly, the measurement must be carried out several hours after topping up, otherwise the distillate will not have time to mix with the electrolyte in the jars. Ideally, this should be done after charging the battery.

So, in fact, topping up the distillate is not such a difficult business - many people do it on their own without any problems. You need to follow basic safety rules and have distilled water on hand. Well, do not forget to check the liquid level in the banks - then the battery will work out the due date.

That's all. Do not forget to comment on the article and read other blog materials.

Best regards, Maxim Markov!

carsmotion.ru

How to add distilled water to the battery? | Who? What? Where?

So that when the electrolyte boils off, its density does not increase significantly, it is necessary to top up distilled water in the battery in a timely manner. How to properly add distilled water to the battery? Let's take a closer look at this process.

Features of pouring distillate

Before starting the process of filling the distillate (electrolyte), the battery must be prepared. It must be turned off, removed, installed on a flat surface, cleaned of dust and dirt. Cleaning the battery is a must, since even the smallest particles of dirt, if ingested, can lead to its complete failure. The easiest way to clean the battery is with a solution of regular baking soda.

There are special marks inside the power supply indicating the minimum and maximum level for the distillate.

To prevent dirt from getting into the battery, use an ordinary syringe to fill with distilled water. It will allow you to pour liquid not only absolutely hygienically, but also as accurately as possible.

After filling, close the battery and reinstall it.

1. Never refill liquid immediately after you turn off the engine. He needs to settle for at least six to eight hours. Only after "resting" can the battery be opened and the filling process can be started.
2. After filling with water, it is also impossible to immediately start the device into operation. Wait at least until the next morning, otherwise it may boil, which will lead to fatal consequences.
3. Topping up with distillate will not make the device new, but will just slightly improve its performance. If the battery has already used up its resource, then it is better to replace it with a new one.
4. Before starting the battery, check the volume of liquid inside. You can start operating it only if the water level is within normal limits.
5. And in no case use ordinary water for refilling, but only special distilled water purchased in special. stores in closed containers. When filling with ordinary water, the plates will collapse and the battery will completely fail.
6. Filling the battery with water should be done at room temperature in a closed room.

kto-chto-gde.ru

How to properly add distilled water to the battery

When using batteries, the electrolyte level in the banks inevitably decreases. It is easier with maintenance-free batteries - the liquid level in the compartments practically does not change for 5-6 years. As for the serviced batteries, the owners constantly have to monitor the electrolyte level and take timely measures. In the article we will tell you how to add distilled water to the battery, how much is needed and whether it can be replaced with something.

Where to get distilled water for the battery

About 20 years ago, motorists did not have any questions about purchasing distilled water - it was sold in almost every pharmacy. Now the situation has changed. The fact is that this liquid is suitable for use for medical purposes within three days, so you can get it only at a pharmacy that has its own distiller.

Modern alternative options:

• auto parts stores;
• gas stations with a retail outlet;
• hardware stores (distilled water is used in irons and steamers).

Another option is to search for water in online stores. It is suitable for those who want to make a stock for future use. The delivery time, depending on the region, can be several weeks; this method is not suitable for emergency topping up liquid in the battery.

Some motorists do not want to waste time visiting stores, and are wondering whether it is possible to fill the battery with plain or boiled water. The first option is categorically not suitable. There are foreign substances in tap water - chlorine, magnesium, phosphorus, etc. When the battery is charged, they will settle on the lead plates. At best, this will lead to a decrease in the capacity of the battery, at worst - to a short circuit and battery failure.

As for boiled water, it cannot fully replace distilled water, it contains metal salts, albeit in small quantities. This option is suitable if you urgently need to bring the battery "on alert", but then you will have to rinse each can and fill in a new electrolyte.

Attempting to replace distilled water with boiled water or some other can lead to a decrease in battery capacity, destruction of lead plates, etc. unpleasant consequences.

How to add distilled water to a car battery correctly

If the density of the electrolyte in your battery has increased or you notice that it does not produce the required voltage - most likely the reason is a decrease in the amount of distilled water. Normally, it should be 65% to 35% sulfuric acid.

Sequence of work when adding distillate to the battery

To properly add liquid to cans, use the instructions.

1. Remove dirt and dust from the top of the battery, especially around the plugs.
2. Wipe the area around the neck with a cloth soaked in baking soda solution to neutralize any sulfuric acid that may have splashed out during charging.
3. Unscrew the plugs carefully - protect your hands from exposure to electrolyte.
4. Take a medical syringe, syringe or hydrometer and distilled water.
5. Pour liquid into jars with insufficient level electrolyte.
6. Tighten the plugs.
7. After 2-3 hours, check the density of the electrolyte with a hydrometer (normal value in the table below).
8. If everything is done correctly, put the battery on charge.

Distilled water should be added to the accumulator on a horizontal surface. Otherwise, the liquid level in the jars will be different, so you will either overfill or underfill.

In order for the result to be accurate when measuring the density of the electrolyte, hold the hydrometer vertically, do not allow the float to touch its walls. After filling the flask with electrolyte, gradually reduce the pressure so that the float floats freely. If you were able to achieve this, pay attention to the place where the liquid touches the scale. This will be the density of the electrolyte in the battery.

Check the density of the electrolyte after adding distilled water to the battery

How much distilled water to add to the battery

In a modern battery, it is easiest to understand how much distilled water needs to be poured. Its body is made of transparent plastic with a scale printed on it. It is enough to ensure that the level recommended by the manufacturer is not exceeded.

In case you have a different type of battery, use the following tips.

1. In some batteries, a metal or plastic "tongue" is located just below the neck of the can. The electrolyte level should be 5 mm above the “tongue”.
2. If there are no marks in the jar, add distilled water so that the electrolyte level is 10-15 mm higher than the lead plates.
3. If you cannot visually determine how much electrolyte is in the jar, take a glass tube, lower it into the compartment, pinch the upper part with your finger and carefully remove it. The amount of liquid in it will be equal to the distance from the lead plates to the electrolyte surface

Try to follow the filling rules to achieve the correct ratio of hydrochloric acid to distilled water.

If there is more acid, it will destroy the lead parts of the battery, if less acid, the battery will defrost at a negative temperature.

How to get distilled water at home

Some car enthusiasts prefer not to buy distilled water, but to make it themselves. Usually these are people of the older generation who are accustomed to times of scarcity and do not want to rebuild. But residents of remote villages, which do not have shops, have to adapt in a similar way.

Immediately, we note that it is impossible to obtain high-quality distilled water at home. This requires a distiller, the cost of which is incomparable with the price of a bottle of water. Alternatively, you can use a moonshine still by removing the coil. But the yield of distilled water with this method is insignificant - about a glass in 3-4 hours.

Distilled water has the formula h3O, that is, it does not contain foreign impurities. No matter how hard you try, it is almost impossible to get such a result at home - an insignificant part of metal salts will remain in the water.

If you urgently need to add water to the battery, fill it in a plastic bottle and put it in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours. Then drain the unfrozen water into a sink, melt the ice and use it to pour into jars. In this case, the damage to the battery will be minimal.

Rainwater can be collected in a plastic container, then thoroughly filtered and used as directed.

It is important that the water does not come into contact with metals. For example, the one that flows from tin roofs will not work for filling the battery.

Let's summarize

Now you know how to top up with distilled water without damaging your battery. We recommend purchasing a hydrometer to monitor the density of the electrolyte in the jars. Without this device, it is impossible to achieve the required density, and changing it can damage your battery. Watch the related video to get a better understanding of the process.