Another leisure battery quip

Post by **Louey** » 28 Nov 2006, 13:50

I've got a problem with my leisure battery circuit. Both batteries seem to be dead. My lights don't work and the tap/water pump doesn't work.

I'll check the circuit for drains etc. BUT if my batteries are dead and don't recharge - can I open up the cells and top up the distilled water or is it off to Camper battery heaven for them?

Post by **tonytech** » 28 Nov 2006, 14:17

Some batteries can be topped up, some cant. You will have to check yours.

T

Post by **Louey** » 28 Nov 2006, 15:46

am I right - if it has the cross head caps on it then it can be topped up

Post by **tonytech** » 28 Nov 2006, 15:58

Cross head caps unscrew, you can top up with distilled water.

(Some people top up with tap water, but if you live in a hard water area it will kill your battery)

T

Post by **Louey** » 28 Nov 2006, 16:15

thanks Tony. I'll not take the risk, I'll get some distilled stuff even though our water is lovely soft welsh stuff

Post by **Bowton Lad** » 28 Nov 2006, 16:32

tonytech wrote:Cross head caps unscrew, you can top up with distilled water.

(Some people top up with tap water, but if you live in a hard water area it will kill your battery)

T

I've always topped up my battery using tap water because I live in a soft water area. Tony,you should be able to use the tap water over there in Scouseland because most of your it comes fron the various reservoirs around Rivington near Bolton. You can thank the late Lord Leverhulme for his foresight in planning your water supplies back in the 1920s/30s.

It has been said that the water from a dehumidifier can safely be used in a battery because it is effectively distilled water.

Post by **Dan Wood** » 28 Nov 2006, 17:03

Lead-acid batteries have a rather annoying problem if you discharge them below about 11 volts.

They start to deposit sulphate on the plates, effectively insulating them! You can't charge them back up as no current will flow through the plates.

If your batteries are flat, I suspect that topping up won't help. You'll probably find they are 'sulphated'.

Still, water is cheap so it's worth a try. Let us know how you get on - I may have chucked away many a salvageable battery!

Post by **tonytech** » 28 Nov 2006, 17:48

Working in a school Physics dept, I have an unlimited supply of freshly distilled water (must try it with alcohol one day Shhh)

T

Post by **kevtherev** » 28 Nov 2006, 18:03

Louey I have a leisure batt charger here if you want to borrow it and have a cup o tea aswell

Post by **Louey** » 28 Nov 2006, 18:22

Thanks for the offer kev, at the mo' the likely hood of me leaving Louey mansion is zero - especially after yesterday's kitchen nightmare.

mind though, I might not get round to the leisure battery stuff for a few weeks

Post by **Louey** » 03 Jan 2007, 11:54

I got a nice new battery charger for xmas

so I had a proper look at the knackered leisure battery.

Removed the cross head tops

3 cells had liquid in them 3 didn't

I topped up the 3 empty cells with water and put the tops back on and set it to charge. Left it for 24 hours and heather noticed the battery was very hot so i switched it off - the charger never indicated it was charged, only charging!

Does this mean the battery is knackered???

Post by **OLD ONE** » 03 Jan 2007, 12:28

Was it a normal charger or one for leisure battery?
I don't know the technicality's, but I do believe you have to use a special charger

Post by **Louey** » 03 Jan 2007, 14:13

it was this one but the higher spec one that covers bike and car batteries and larger cc type batteries.

I guess if I do need a special charger (though I might pop back to Halfords and say something) it will be a trip to Kevs

Post by **OLD ONE** » 03 Jan 2007, 16:12

If you are using a genuine leisure battery I don't think that one is suitable.

Post by **kevtherev** » 03 Jan 2007, 18:07

A normal charger will charge a leisure ok but not to its full capacity.

Did you try the battery after you charged it?

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