Best time to water...

[Madscientist267]

Hey all...

I apologize if this has already been covered somewhere, but I'm still learning the new layout, so work with me here

After learning a rather expensive lesson a couple years ago about watering, the question recently came up... When is the best time to water?

The last time I watered was during an equalization, theorizing that the turbulence caused by the vigorous bubbling would help reduce the chances of striation.

Am I far off here?

Steve

[madlabs]

Well, I can't really say what is best. I can say that what I have been doing is what you suggest, when I see that I need to add water, I equalize afterwards.

Jonathan

[fabricator]

Everything I've read says after equalization after the batteries have had chance to settle down.

[B529]

During your EQ cycle only. EQ for a couple hours, shut off your charging source, add water, turn back on your charging source, EQ for another hour or two.

[DanG]

I can tell you when NOT to fill-up, top off with water... when batteries are COLD.

Start trickle charging if plates are covered, you really want 15-25% of the 'reserve between add-fill limits' present before starting a high rate charge - but if you top off cold batteries, once everything warms up and expands, the chances are good you'll have electrolyte overflowing by the time the charge is finishing.

Spot check them again if you wind up cooking the batteries and they are actively bubbling - once you have them warm & 80 or 90% charged you can top them off, and when equalizing you need to monitor them again.

If you're in a place that is very humid you might not loose much, if relative humidity is very low they could get thirsty.

I think you need to worry about stratification only if you can't warm the batteries up - sitting on cold concrete and only having ability to do a low-rate charge comes to mind.

[Madscientist267]

Makes sense... thanks for the input. I am determined to get the most out of these things from here out. Replacing batteries every few years really gets old, not to mention expensive.