There is no liquid in the battery, what should I do? -

Distilled water for batteries

The battery is an integral part of almost any modern device or car. The battery, like all components of the car, requires care and compliance with recommendations during operation - one of the rules that must be followed is monitoring the level of distilled water in the battery.

It is required for the normal passage of all chemical processes occurring in the battery. When the level drops, you can fill the battery with distilled water yourself. How to do it yourself? How much should I add? How to track the level?

How to add distilled water

To top up the water, distilled water is required. Raw tap water or boiled water is not suitable, because... contains impurities that negatively affect the course of chemical processes and can even worsen the condition of the battery, because impurities settle on the battery cells. Boiling does not remove hard impurities, salts and metals from water; boiling can only kill bacteria and microbes in the water.

The brand of distilled water you fill does not matter. The battery plugs are unscrewed and water is carefully added to the level marked on the monoblock. If the monoblock is not transparent, then add enough water to completely hide the electrodes, and the water supply on top is at least 1 cm.

After adding water, it is recommended to charge the battery on a charger. A fully charged battery will have a density of 1.26-1.28. If the density is significantly different, then something went wrong and you better contact a specialist.

How to add water to a maintenance-free battery without access to banks

In practice, without access to banks, maintenance-free batteries are made using calcium technology, i.e. which do not require topping up fluid throughout their entire service life. But it happens that when recharging, boiling still occurs. If there is no access to the battery, but you need to add fluid, you will have to suffer. It is recommended to drill small holes of 2-4 mm in the battery cover. and carefully add distilled water into them using a syringe.

What happens if you add electrolyte instead of water?

If you need to add distilled water to the battery, and you add electrolyte, then after charging the battery its density will exceed 1.30 and the sulfuric acid content will become prohibitive. This will lead to accelerated sulfation of the battery plates and failure. Batteries with increased density exist and are used in the far north to prevent ice from forming in the batteries, but the battery itself in this condition can last no more than 1 year.

Myths about a maintenance-free battery?

In relation to water, there are several myths:

You can tear off the top lid, the jars will open and pour liquid into them
Drill through the top of the lid, and again go to the cans (only on top) and pour water there

Both the first and second methods are VERY bad - you CANNOT do this!

I’ll try to explain in an accessible language - look, the top cover of a maintenance-free battery is made using a different technology than that of a regular battery. There is a certain labyrinth under it, the task is to condense water vapor in it, which rises from the cans and returns it back down. It's like a closed system.

If you tear off this top cover , then you will disrupt the operation of this “labyrinth”. The battery will no longer work properly. YES, you won’t be able to glue it or attach it back somehow!

The situation is the same if you drill holes on top , the seal of the lid again suffers, moisture vapor will escape out.

Can you ask a question? How does moisture escape if there is this labyrinthine lid? Everything is very simple - the system is not 100% sealed; on the sides of the battery there are, as it were, two holes (valves) that can release steam.

This is done in case your generator breaks down, and it will constantly charge the battery, and it will boil. It is through these holes that distilled water leaves.

How do the properties of electrolyte change in a car battery?

To have an idea of what to add to a car battery, you need to understand the processes that occur inside the battery during the charging/discharging cycle. If you do not have an understanding of these processes, you may make a mistake that will lead to a change in the density of the liquid and failure of the battery.

The electrolyte of car batteries consists of 35% sulfuric acid and 65% distilled water. This ratio allows you to achieve values of 1.27-1.29 g/cm 3 - optimal for delivering the required voltage.

Is this water suitable for drinking?

In conclusion, it would not be amiss to answer a question that interests many, which is not directly related to our topic: is it possible to drink distilled water?

Since this is purified water, it does not pose any danger to drinking. Moreover, it was always drunk for gastrointestinal disorders. With proper storage, it does not lose its properties for a long time and can be used as drinking water.

There is no need to waste time preparing it at home. There is always the opportunity to purchase it in specialized stores for motorists. It is often produced in convenient plastic canisters. You can carry them with you in the trunk if there is enough space.

Thus, we learned not only about how much distilled water should be poured into the battery, but also how to do it correctly - so as not to harm the battery.

How to properly add distilled water to a battery When using batteries, the electrolyte level in the banks inevitably decreases. With maintenance-free batteries, the fluid level in the compartments remains virtually unchanged for 5-6 years. As for serviced batteries, 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 of it is needed and whether it can be replaced with something. Where to get distilled water for the battery About 20 years ago, motorists had no 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 for three days, so you can only get it 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 stock up for future use. The delivery time, depending on the region, can be several weeks; this method is not suitable for emergency topping up of fluid in the battery. Some motorists do not want to waste time visiting stores and wonder whether it is possible to fill the battery with plain or boiled water. The first option is absolutely not suitable. There are foreign substances in tap water: chlorine, magnesium, phosphorus, etc. When charging the battery, they will settle on the lead plates. At best, this will lead to a decrease in battery capacity, at worst, to a short circuit and failure of the battery. 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 into combat readiness, but then you will have to rinse each jar and fill in new electrolyte.

An attempt to replace distilled water with boiled or some other water can lead to a decrease in battery capacity, destruction of lead plates and other 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 correctly add liquid to the jars, use the instructions. Remove dirt and dust from the top of the battery, especially around the plugs. Wipe the area around the necks with a rag soaked in soda solution to neutralize any sulfuric acid that may have splashed out during charging. Carefully unscrew the plugs and protect your hands from exposure to electrolyte. Take a medical syringe, syringe or hydrometer and fill with distilled water. Pour liquid into jars with insufficient electrolyte levels. Tighten the plugs. After 2-3 hours, check the density of the electrolyte with a hydrometer (normal value in the table below). If everything is done correctly, put the battery on charge.

Adding distilled water to the battery should be done on a horizontal surface. Otherwise, the level of liquid in the jars will be different, so you will either overfill or not add water. The recommended battery electrolyte density depends on the climatic conditions of your region. Climatic zone Electrolyte density (g/cm3) 1.25 Middle zone 1.27 North 1.29 To ensure accurate results when measuring the electrolyte density, hold the hydrometer vertically and do not allow the float to touch its walls. Having collected the electrolyte into the flask, 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 comes into contact with 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 to add. 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. If you have a different type of battery, use the following tips. Some batteries have a metal or plastic tongue located just below the neck of the can. The electrolyte level should be 5 mm above the tongue. 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. If you cannot visually determine how much electrolyte is in the jar, take a glass tube, lower it into the compartment, pinch the top 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 surface of the electrolyte. Try to follow the pouring 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 there is less acid, the battery will defrost at negative temperatures. 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, accustomed to times of scarcity and who do not want to change. But residents of remote villages where there are no shops have to adapt in a similar way. Let us immediately note that it is impossible to obtain high-quality distilled water at home. To do this, you need a distiller, the cost of which is not comparable to the price of a bottle of water. As an alternative, you can use a moonshine still if you remove the coil from it. But the yield of distilled water with this method is insignificant, about a glass in 3-4 hours. Distilled water has the formula H2O, that is, it does not contain foreign impurities. No matter how hard you try, it is almost impossible to get a similar result at home; a small part of the metal salts will remain in the water.

If you urgently need to top up the battery with water, put it in a plastic bottle and put it in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours. Then pour the unfrozen water into the sink, melt the ice and use it to pour into jars. In this case, the damage to the battery will be minimal. You can collect rainwater in a plastic container, then carefully filter it and use it for its intended purpose. It is important that the water does not come into contact with metals. For example, the one that drips from tin roofs is not suitable for filling the battery. Let's summarize Now you know how to add distilled water without damaging the 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.

In what cases should electrolyte be added?

Linear recharge. The reason is a faulty car charging system, as a result of which the electrolytic fluid boils. You can check the charging system with a multimeter. The charge level at idle and when overloading should not exceed 14.8 V. If you notice streaks on the case and oxidation on metal surfaces near the battery, after eliminating the cause of the malfunction, be sure to check the level and density of the electrolytic fluid. Prolonged operation of the battery while overcharging is dangerous because the plates are exposed, as a result of which they heat up and lose active mass, and a sulfation reaction occurs. You can see a dark coating on the inside of the plugs. It is better not to try to revive the battery by adding electrolyte, but to replace the battery.
Electrolyte leakage from one of the cans due to damage to the housing. Cracks and chips most often occur due to mechanical damage or freezing of water inside the case in severe frost. If the damage is minor, the housing can be repaired. In this case, you should correctly determine the ratio of electrolyte and distilled water in the battery. If the battery was damaged before use, it is necessary to fill in the electrolyte with the same density that remained in the damaged jar. If the battery was used in a damaged state, add both electrolyte and water, equalizing the density of the damaged and adjacent sections.
Loss of electrolyte due to the battery being overturned or tipped over.
Commissioning of dry-charged batteries. This production technology has retained its relevance only for motorcycles. All car batteries are supplied ready for use.

How to open the battery cover

Serviceable batteries have plugs for checking the cans. Getting to the contents of a maintenance-free battery is more difficult. There are no plugs, and the monolithic lid is a labyrinth for trapping and condensing vapors. Disruption of the labyrinth's passages will reduce the efficiency of the system. Therefore, before opening the battery cover, you need to weigh the pros and cons.

Attention! Before opening and checking the battery, it must be charged! The density of the electrolyte on a discharged battery is significantly lower!

Here are some options for how to get to the electrolyte:

There is a peephole in the battery with float. By prying off the glass, we gain access to one battery bank. Measuring the density of the electrolyte in one jar does not give a complete picture.
Remove the battery cover. The top part is cut off or torn off by force as it is soldered. After servicing the battery, the main difficulty is to glue the cover in place. This method should be avoided if possible.
Drilling holes is the most accessible way to open a battery.

The best method is to drill holes. For most procedures this is enough; you can pour electrolyte through them and check its level and density.

The centers must line up with the castings for the factory filler plugs. By removing the stickers, the outlines are easily visible.
It is better to drill in several stages so that chips do not get inside. The first drill is 3-4 mm. After drilling all the holes, you can use a thin dipstick to check the electrolyte level. If this is the end of the test, small holes can be filled with hot glue or silicone.
The second drill is 12 mm. Through such a hole you can use a hydrometer.

To plug the holes, you can use plastic stoppers from medicines - motherwort, peppermint, valerian. The plugs should become tight; they need to be prepared before drilling. When installing, the plugs can be placed on glue, then with a high degree of probability the properties of the labyrinth lid will be preserved. By simply inserting the plugs, we get a simple, maintenance-free battery. It is much easier to get to the banks, but you will have to do this quite often - the electrolyte will require constant topping up.

In what cases should electrolyte be added to the battery?

When carrying out restoration measures, it is important not to cause additional damage to the battery. Incorrectly adding electrolyte or water can further disrupt the electrochemical balance and will ultimately destroy the battery. For example, when sulfating plates, acid is consumed from the solution; To replenish the volume, refilling with clean electrolyte is required. When water naturally evaporates, distillate must be poured into jars, since the introduction of additional sulfuric acid will cause accelerated sulfation.

The need to replenish the fluid supply in the battery is determined by the results of level measurement. Topping up pure electrolyte is possible if the owner knows exactly the volume of the lost substance. Otherwise, it is necessary to measure the density of the solution, which allows maintaining the optimal concentration of sulfuric acid.

Low level is dangerous

It is dangerous for many reasons, I will try to explain it simply and quickly:

If the level drops, it means the water is evaporating. The density of sulfuric acid increases (since it does not go anywhere). This has a very negative effect on the plates themselves; they simply begin to deteriorate faster.

If the acid concentration is high, this can lead to an accelerated sulfation process of the plates
The upper part of the plates is exposed - and this also negatively affects them when charging. They simply warm up and can crumble.
If there is not enough electrolyte (the plates are exposed), the battery capacity drops accordingly, meaning you simply won’t start the car.

From my own experience, I will say that batteries with bare plates do not last long; as a rule, they crumble or become sulfated within 3 to 6 months of use.

Therefore, it is very important to add liquid to the required values!

Why does the battery need maintenance?

Electrolyte is a mixture of sulfuric acid and distilled water, which enters into a chemical reaction with the active mass of the negative and positive plates. When a lead-acid battery is discharged, sulfuric acid and water are consumed from the electrolytic fluid, resulting in a decrease in the density of the electrolyte. During the reverse process, when the battery is charged, the amount of lead on the electrodes can decrease so much that the process of water electrolysis begins to predominate inside the battery. The “boiling” described above occurs when the battery is recharged, and the release of hydrogen and oxygen gas results in an increase in the density of the electrolyte.

Overcharging is dangerous not only due to water boiling away, but also due to the explosion of gases formed inside the battery case. Therefore, you need to monitor the health of the car's charging system. If charging from an external device, you should unscrew the service plugs and set the charging current correctly.

The prepared material mainly relates to low-voltage lead-acid batteries (Sb/Sb). Batteries of this type are most widespread due to their low cost, but owners should remember the disadvantages: high self-discharge and a decrease in density due to boiling water. Some calcium batteries (Ca/Ca) also require scheduled maintenance, which the manufacturer must indicate in the operating instructions.

Precautionary measures

Inside a maintenance-free battery, the gas may be under significant pressure. The composition of such a mixture can be highly flammable, so do not smoke while drilling the housing. Work must be carried out at a considerable distance from open fire, for example, a gas burner or fireplace.

In addition, to protect your eyes and skin from splashing acid, you will need to use the following personal protective equipment:

Latex gloves.
Glasses.
Special clothes.

What electrolyte level should be in the battery?

Modern starter batteries for cars are often manufactured in transparent cases, on the outside of which are marked the minimum and maximum fluid levels. This makes control much easier. The amount of electrolyte may decrease due to water evaporation.

It is strictly not recommended to replace the electrolyte, since it is very difficult to do. Firstly, the acid is inside the plates. Secondly, during operation the plates are subjected to heavy loads and therefore partially crumble. If the battery is turned over, there is a high probability of a short circuit.

To check the liquid level, glass or plastic tubes are used, which are included in the hydrometer kit.

Cleaning the battery and opening the filler holes

Before opening the plugs, clean the top of the battery from dirt and debris. For these purposes, you can use a rag soaked in window cleaner. A solution of soda will help remove rust from the terminals. After all these procedures, the battery must be wiped dry. The best option is to keep the battery clean. In this case, it is better to coat the terminals with a protective lubricant.

The design of the filler caps may differ between different battery models. Some of them have all six plugs located under one common strip, which is easily removed. Others require you to unscrew each of them counterclockwise. Dirt under the plugs should be removed using a detergent containing ammonia. Under no circumstances should soda be used to clean the filler holes.

Electrolyte level determination

The normal level of battery fluid is 10-15 mm above the plates. If for some reason this layer decreases, then you need to add distilled water. Excess liquid should be carefully removed using a hydrometer. Some maintenance-free battery models are equipped with special charge indicators that also show the electrolyte level. If the “eye” turns white, the battery needs to be changed.

Checking the density and electrolyte level in the battery

Special glass tubes are used to measure the level. If they are not there, then you can use the body of a transparent handle by cutting off its tapered end. To take measurements, you need to unscrew the filler plugs and insert a tube into them vertically one at a time, hold the opposite end with your finger and pull it out.

Determination of electrolytic fluid in a battery

There are two types of energy sources commonly used in the automotive industry today:

Maintenance-free devices are enclosed in a sealed housing that completely prevents access from the outside. They, as a rule, exhaust their resource and must be replaced. You cannot restore their functionality on your own. The only thing the owner of such a battery can do is charge it as needed.
Maintained - require constant attention and monitoring. It is necessary to regularly monitor the level of the electrolyte solution, as well as its density and the condition of the plates.

How to find out the electrolyte level

Electrolytic liquid can change its volume as it is stored and used. How can you check the electrolyte level in a battery? There are several options, each of which can be used in a specific situation:

According to special marks applied to the body. Some energy sources have two horizontal lines parallel to each other on the outer surface of the housing in its upper part. The bottom one is marked “min” - shows the minimum possible level of the electrolyte solution. The top one has the inscription “max” - the maximum permissible limit of the liquid medium.
By visual inspection. It allows you to determine the approximate amount of liquid content. In the absence of tags and other available means, it is enough to simply unscrew the plugs on the top cover of the case, while installing the device on a flat horizontal surface. Looking inside, especially if there is good lighting, you can understand by the following criteria whether the solution is enough or not:
the electrodes are visible (they are level or above the surface of the liquid) – topping up is required.
By performing simple measurements. The electrolyte level in the battery can be checked using:
Available means: a transparent juice tube or the same body of a ballpoint pen. We lower the tube into the hole in place of the unscrewed cap until it rests against the top edge of the jar. We pinch the end remaining on the surface with a finger, thus blocking the flow of air into it. Holding your finger, remove the tube and measure the height of the column of liquid trapped inside it. At a normal electrolyte level, its value should be in the range from 11 to 15 mm.

Low battery electrolyte level

How can you tell if your battery has low electrolyte levels? This is very eloquently evidenced by:

significant increase in density;
the appearance of plates above the surface of the liquid medium.

There may be several reasons for this:

Evaporation of distilled water is the most common factor in volume reduction in the summer. As is known, too high outdoor temperatures provoke evaporation processes. And when using the battery during this period, it is very hot under the hood.
Liquid boiling over due to a malfunction of the temperature relay-regulator.
As a result of battery discharge, some of the acid is consumed for electrochemical reactions.

A decrease in the electrolyte level below normal in the battery leads to very serious consequences:

firstly, a solution of increased concentration promotes accelerated destruction of the plate material;
secondly, that part of the electrode surface that is located above the liquid boundary undergoes sulfation.

In both cases, the outcome is the same: rapid loss of capacity and premature failure of the energy source. This means it will need to be replaced. Where is the guarantee that the new battery will not lose its functionality just as quickly?

Option one is to learn how to properly operate and maintain the battery, and first of all, maintain the liquid component at normal levels.

What should be the electrolyte level in the battery? The norm is when the electrolyte solution is 1–1.5 centimeters above the electrode plates, completely covering them when the car is moving.

Moreover, the electrolyte level must be the same in each jar - this is very important for reliable battery operation.

How to recharge the battery?

Before you start deciding whether to add water or electrolyte to the battery, it is important to decide whether the mechanism needs to be refilled at all. For this purpose, you need to carefully inspect your existing unit. Mostly, the housing of all batteries is made of transparent plastic, which allows you to visually determine the amount of electrolytic solution inside. There are almost always marks on the battery case, by which you can determine whether the emulsion needs to be topped up or not.

If the housing is made of opaque material, you can check the emulsion level in the following way:

Unscrew the battery cap. Thoroughly clean the front surface of the unit first so that when opening it, no dirt particles get into the system.
Take a transparent tube with a diameter of no more than five millimeters and lower it all the way into the opening.
Close the outer end of the tube tightly with your finger and pull the device out of the system without releasing your finger.
The criteria are considered normal when the height of the liquid in the elongated tube is approximately one and a half centimeters. If the parameters do not match, it is necessary to top up or remove excess liquid.

If the need for topping up has been established, then you need to decide what needs to be added to the battery. A special device called a “hydrometer”, which can be used to measure the density of the solution in the battery, can help in this situation. Based on the test results, the cause of the mechanism malfunction is determined, and the dilemma of whether to add water or electrolyte to the battery is resolved. Using the device, measure the density of the battery fluid: normally it should be from 1.27 to 1.29 grams per cubic centimeter. If the density is significantly lower, then an electrolyte will need to be added. A density exceeding 1.29 units indicates that water must be added to the battery.

Safety precautions

We strongly recommend using protective equipment when disassembling the power supply. It is strictly forbidden to turn over or shake the jars. This may cause a short circuit.
If the battery cover is secured with fasteners, be careful not to break them. In the event of a breakdown, the part will have to be glued, and this does not guarantee safe operation of the power source.
If you want to split the battery using a tool, choose special products that will help protect your eyes from splinters.

Can we safely say that a maintenance-free battery can be made into a serviceable one? Of course, a closed battery can be remade! If the purpose of opening the battery is to extract lead for fishing or hunting, then by observing a number of precautions, you can easily do it with just a hammer.

Buying a new one or repairing an old one is a dilemma for car owners whose battery has failed. For owners of modern maintenance-free batteries, it would seem that the choice is clear - buy. Ingenuity and knowledge of battery design will help extend the life of a “dead” energy source.

Winter is a real test for car enthusiasts. A working car may not start in the morning if the battery misfires. If you purchased a maintenance-free one and it let you down, don’t be upset, you can charge it, check it and continue using it.

How do the properties of electrolyte change in a vehicle battery?

Many professionals consider the question of what to put in the battery to be absolutely incorrect, since the device is classified as a non-repairable element. However, a good battery is far from a cheap pleasure, so the desire of car owners to extend its service life is understandable. To ensure that refilling the battery does not lead to its complete failure, you first need to understand the processes that occur during the operation of the battery during its systematic charging and discharging.

Initially, from the factory, the battery contains an emulsion, which consists of thirty-five percent sulfuric acid, while the remaining sixty-five percent of the volume is distillate - purified water, without impurities. During operation, the device heats up, an electrolysis reaction occurs, and part of the water evaporates under the influence of high temperature and collects as condensate on the inner surface of the unit. If the battery has a completely sealed design and there is no mechanical damage in the case, then when it cools, the steam turns into water and flows back down the walls of the device. If there is damage to the case as a result of operation of the device or due to poor manufacturing quality of the product, the water evaporates from the battery irretrievably. As a result of this process, the liquid in the battery becomes more concentrated, and the density of the acid increases. This is reflected in the voltage output criteria of the device and its performance.

In addition to the natural process of evaporation at operating temperatures, the so-called sulfation reaction occurs in the battery - the deposition of acid salts on the lead strips of the battery. As a result of this process, the electrolyte concentration decreases. Precedents when the density of the electrolyte drops are most often provoked by irregular functioning of the battery as a result of prolonged downtime of the car or incorrect operation of the battery - supplying too much current to the device or serious malfunctions in the vehicle electronics.

What to choose - electrolyte or distillate?

An electrolyte is a mixture of acid and water in a percentage by volume of 35 to 65, respectively. The battery is supplied from the factory fully charged with this composition.

During operation, the decrease occurs precisely due to the water component. Thus, the density (i.e. the acid content of the residue) increases. The absolute amount of acid remains unchanged since it does not evaporate.

If you start adding a new portion of electrolyte to such a water-depleted solution, the absolute acid content will increase. Therefore, the density in a given volume will be increased. As a result, all the negative consequences characteristic of increasing battery density will arise.

Based on this, refueling the battery can be done exclusively with distillate. Only this option will return the increased electrolyte density to its normal value.

The author of the video understands the question: what needs to be filled in?

When should you add electrolyte?

The electrolyte in the battery is necessary for the proper operation of the electrode plates, which accumulate and subsequently release charge.

Over time, due to high temperatures and boiling of the electrolyte, a drop in the liquid level may be observed, which negatively affects the condition of the battery.

If the car owner does not monitor the fluid level in the battery banks, this leads to the plates being exposed, their active sulfation begins , and soon such a battery will completely fail.

What can happen when opening the case?

If you open the battery case, this will lead to the fact that the water from the electrolyte will constantly evaporate and the battery will need to be refilled as if it were being serviced. Disassembling the battery in any way will void the warranty . For modern products, the manufacturer's warranty can range from 12 to 36 months.

Important! If the battery is under warranty, then before opening it and repairing it yourself, take it to a service center, maybe they can help you there.

Disassembling a battery is not always possible without chips getting into its housing. In addition, during operation of a battery opened in this way, dust and dirt may get inside the cans. Foreign objects inside the case, to put it mildly, do not contribute to increasing the service life of the product.

Do you have any questions, haven’t been able to solve the problem, or have something to add to the article? Then write to us about it in the comments. This will help make the material more complete and useful!

Information site about energy storage devices

Lead-acid car batteries store energy as long as a chemical reaction occurs between the electrolyte and the conductive plates. When the electrolyte density changes, this process is disrupted. It doesn’t matter why the electrolyte has deteriorated, the battery will not work. It is necessary to replace the electrolyte, adjust the density, or purchase a new battery. If the electrolyte has turned black and contains a suspension of coal and scale, the battery will have to be replaced.

How to determine the required quantity for a battery?

You can understand how much is needed to replenish the mixture with electrolyte (provided that this is what is needed) or distilled water (in a similar case) in the following ways.

All measurements must be carried out with a fully charged battery.

Visually

The manufacturer applies special “risks” min – max to the battery case. It is by the marks on the battery that you can navigate how much is required (and what exactly) to add to the mixture. When filling, you must ensure that the required amount is added above the minimum mark, but below the maximum.

If there are no marks on the body, then you need to add so that the metal plates are covered by 1-1.5 cm.

Instrumentally

There are special measuring tubes with which you can measure the level of the electrolytic mixture.
If you don’t have a device, you can use any glass or plastic rod. A stick 20-25 cm long and 5-7 mm thick is suitable.

Having opened all the cans, you need to measure the level in each one individually. To do this, lower the tube all the way and lift it up. It will clearly show how much mixture is in the battery jar.

You need to add until the level reaches a height of 1.5-2.0 cm. If distilled water is added to the required level, the density of the electrolytic mixture will be restored to its original parameters of 1.27 g/cm3.
This is necessary to ensure full operation of the battery. Attention! Topping up maintenance-free batteries is not provided by the manufacturer!
Access to the banks is strictly limited by the complete sealing of the housing. The video provides detailed information on how to measure the electrolyte level in a battery:

How to fill

Serviced

Adding a little or pouring distilled water into the battery (being serviced) is not a problem, and it is possible to carry out the process yourself:

You need to purchase distilled water (best at a pharmacy).
The plugs are unscrewed so that the electrolyte and plates are visible - if the level of the mixture is below the plates, then it is necessary to fill in water with a syringe until the plates are closed (the level of electrolyte and water should exceed the plates by 1-1.5 cm).
After adding, you need to charge the battery.

Maintenance-free

Distilled water

Is it possible to add distilled water to a maintenance-free battery? The answer is clear - it’s possible, but it’s more difficult to do than with the type of battery being serviced (the process is not provided by the manufacturer).

First of all, it should be noted that it is necessary to add water to a maintenance-free type battery much less frequently. This is due to the fact that batteries of this type are well sealed, and “ring technology” is used inside, which reduces evaporation to a minimum. The battery life without unnecessary manipulation is about 4-5 years.

Pouring process:

Adding distilled water to the battery

It is necessary to determine the electrolyte level - to do this, shake the battery and determine the approximate level by sounds. When the feeling suggests that the level is normal, sulfation of the plates may have occurred and there is no point in adding water.
It is necessary to determine the level of the plates - if the battery is not transparent, then you will have to determine it “by eye”; in other batteries you can illuminate it with a flashlight or buy batteries in a transparent case.
An indentation is made from the plates by a maximum of 2 cm upwards, it is marked, and a hole is made with a drill (2-3 mm).
Fill a syringe with distilled water and fill it until water begins to pour out of the hole made.
The battery is shifted to the other side, and the holes made are sealed with a very ordinary soldering iron.
Place it on charge and charge to full level.

Recommendations

The surface on which the process takes place must be flat! For what? So that the mixture level is not distorted; Distilled water for batteries
To fill the water, you need to remove the battery from the car;
Do not operate on a “warm” battery. It is necessary to let it sit for 8-9 hours after the car engine has been turned off;
Do not start the car immediately after adding water. Minimum waiting time – 12 hours;
It is not recommended to use a cold garage instead of a warm room (if it’s winter outside);
You should always check the electrolyte level in the battery, especially on long trips.

The process of pouring distilled water into the battery can be seen in the video.

Proper battery maintenance

Currently, the industry mainly produces low-maintenance batteries for cars; they require a minimum of care, however, preventive maintenance must be carried out regularly. To service the battery, you must:

Remove the battery from the car:
take it to a warm room;
clean the housing from dirt and salt deposits (do not turn the housing over);
clean the terminals from deposits with sandpaper; if they are oxidized, wipe dry with a clean rag;
let it sit for 10-12 hours (you can do it for a day; it is especially important to let the battery “dead” in winter).

Then you should check the electrolyte level in the jars, add distilled water if necessary, and charge the battery. You can’t do without a charger, just like you can’t do without a hydrometer, and it would also be nice to have a multimeter and a load plug. After the battery has settled, we check the voltage without load with a multimeter; it should be in the range of 12.4-12.7 Volts. When connected to the terminals of the load plug, the voltage should not fall below 9.6 V, the load lasts about 5 seconds.

After adding water to the required level, we check the density with a hydrometer; in those jars where we had to add more, the density will be lower accordingly. Then we place the plugs in their places without tightening them, connect the charger to the terminals, if the battery is in fairly good condition, automatic mode is suitable for charging.

The battery is charged most efficiently at room temperature +20ºC; after charging, it is again necessary to let the battery sit, but 5-7 hours is enough. Then we repeat all the checks again, the most optimal values are:

voltage without load – 12.7 Volts (up to 13.0 V);
under load – from 9.6 to 10.4 V;
density – 1.27-1.28 g/cm³.

For northern regions, the electrolyte density can be set higher (up to a value of 1.31); for southern regions, 1.26 g/cm³ is often sufficient. Depending on the type of battery, it is recommended to carry out battery maintenance once or twice a year; low-antimony batteries require maintenance more often, approximately once every 3 months.

Many novice motorists have a question about how to add distilled water to the battery if it is from the category of serviceable batteries. Accordingly, the second question arises, how much liquid needs to be added and whether this can be done independently at home.

Modern active vehicle safety systems

Active vehicle safety systems are aimed at preventing emergency situations and preventing accidents. The vehicle's electronic control unit is responsible for monitoring active safety systems in real time.

1.Anti-lock braking system or ABS

The car's wheels may become blocked during sudden braking and high speed driving. Controllability tends to zero and the likelihood of an accident increases sharply.

The anti-lock braking system forcibly unlocks the wheels and returns control of the car. A characteristic sign of ABS operation is the beating of the brake pedal. To increase the effectiveness of the anti-lock braking system when braking, depress the brake pedal as hard as possible.

The system avoids slipping and makes it easier to climb uphill on slippery road surfaces.

The system is aimed at ensuring vehicle stability when driving on the road. Efficient and reliable in operation.

4.Brake force distribution system or EBD

Allows you to prevent the car from skidding when braking due to the uniform distribution of braking force between the front and rear wheels.

5.Differential lock

The differential transmits torque from the gearbox to the drive wheels. The lock allows for uniform transmission of force, even if one of the drive wheels has insufficient traction with the road surface.

6.Assistance system for ascent and descent

Ensures that optimal speed is maintained when descending or ascending a mountain. If necessary, brakes one or more wheels.

7.Parking sensors

A system that simplifies parking a car and reduces the risk of collision with other vehicles when maneuvering in a parking lot. A special electronic display indicates the distance to the obstacle.

8.Preventive emergency braking system

Capable of operating at speeds over 30 km/h. The electronic system automatically monitors the distance between cars. If the vehicle ahead comes to a sudden stop and there is no reaction from the driver, the system automatically slows down the car.

Modern car manufacturers pay a lot of attention to active and passive safety systems. They are constantly working on their improvement and reliability.

Electrolyte to water ratio

To obtain 1 liter of electrolytic fluid with a density of 1.27-1.28, mix 0.772 liters of correction electrolyte and 0.295 liters of distilled water. During normal operation, only water evaporates, so you cannot add electrolyte instead of distillate. To avoid mistakes with the density, maintenance is carried out only after the battery is fully charged.

Overflow of water, at which the density drops to the level of 1.26, is considered uncritical. When this limit is lowered, it is already necessary to pump out part of the liquid, bring the density to the factory value, adding correction electrolyte.

After pouring, the density has dropped - what to do?

Sometimes the level of battery discharge reaches such a degree that even after bringing the electrolyte with distilled water to the required level and a full charging cycle, the density does not increase.
The only way out in this case is to drain all the liquid and fill in a new solution.

However, it should be borne in mind that this method is suitable for batteries that are still working. This method does not work on instances that have exhausted their resource. You just need to replace the battery.

About flushing

We noted earlier that when taking measurements, an opaque liquid can be detected. This indicates that the solution contains destroyed particles of lead plates. If you restore the battery, they must be completely removed. What to put in the battery? First you need to use distilled water. Fill all damaged jars with it, close the lid and mix thoroughly. Don't be afraid to turn the battery upside down.

This way we can better clean the insides of the jar from dirt. After mixing, pour back all the dirt. What should I put into the battery next? Let's use water again. We already know how to fill the battery with water. If after repeated mixing it does not change color, it means that we have removed all the dirt from the plates. Now you can safely pour electrolyte here and measure the density. By adjusting the water and electrolyte levels we will reach the ideal value of 1.28 grams per cubic centimeter.

What to do if you overfill it?

When adding distillate to jars, it is possible to accidentally exceed the maximum level.
Considering the possible negative consequences, overflow must be eliminated.

This operation is performed very simply:

Using a rubber bulb or hydrometer, remove excess (it is recommended to lower the level below normal).
Add a small amount of distillate (to the optimum level).

When adjusting the electrolyte level in jars by adding distilled water, it is recommended to monitor the density with a hydrometer.

Attention

! It is strictly forbidden to reduce the level of distilled water in the battery by tipping the product on its side. As a result of such actions, a short circuit may occur in the lead plates.

Charger

A constant current supply is provided, the strength of which is calculated depending on the battery capacity. It should have a value equal to 10% of the total battery capacity. That is, if the capacity is 75 Ah, then the current is 7.5 Amperes. The voltage is set to 14.4 Volts.

The procedure lasts quite a long time and takes about 10 hours. Due to the fact that there are no additional holes in the housing, there is a high probability of an explosion. After successful completion of the procedure, the voltage at the terminals should be 12.7 Volts.

We restore a maintenance-free DRIVE2 battery

A little theory

A battery with a nominal voltage of 12 volts consists of independent batteries (cans) of lower voltage (usually 6 2 volts each), assembled in one housing and connected in series with each other.

The battery bank is a set of differently polarized plates, which are isolated from each other by acid-resistant separators. The battery housing is made of acid-resistant plastics or hard rubber. The case has compartments for installing battery cells.

The pole plate is made of lead and has the form of a grid; a special composition (active substance) of a porous structure is pressed into the cells of the grid to increase the area of contact with the electrolyte. The active substance is made from lead powder with the addition of sulfuric acid.

Barium sulfate is also added to the negative plates. During the formation of the battery, the plates are charged, and the active substance in the positive plates turns into lead dioxide, and in the negative plates into sponge lead.

During operation, especially in hot weather, water evaporates from the electrolyte, or the amount of water in the electrolyte decreases during recharging due to electrolysis, which increases its density, increasing the voltage on the battery.

If there is a significant loss of water, the electrolyte level in the jars may drop below the top of the electrodes, which reduces capacity. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the electrolyte level and, if necessary, add distilled water.

If the battery is ordinary, then there are no problems with this, but what if the stars have become so bad that you got a maintenance-free one? Many “experts” will say that EVERYTHING. Is it so? Well, they know better - they are Experts  Most importantly, give back the battery

Inspecting

So let's imagine that we got a maintenance-free battery. Where do we start? Of course, after inspection. We remove the top sticker. Under it we see a bar and carefully pry it off with a screwdriver. If we are lucky, it will go up and we will see the usual traffic jams.

For example, this Centra was only disguised as maintenance-free. But what to do if the strip is not faked and it is glued? Like this Varta? Of course, there is a barbaric way: break off the bar, pour in distillate and then try to glue the bar in place.

Let's try it on

If we look closely at the bar, we will see the outlines of the window through which the electrolyte was poured at the factory.

We take an ordinary awl and pierce the bar in this place. We lower the awl, rocking it from side to side, until the tip of the awl begins to cling to the plates. We mark this place (you can just rest it with your fingernail) and carefully pull the awl out of the jar. We measure the length measured with an awl using a caliper.

I got H = 58 mm - this is the distance from the top edge of the battery cover to the plates. The theory says that the electrolyte level in the banks should be 12-15 mm above the level of the plates, i.e.

That is, in our case, from the top of the battery to the electrolyte level should be from 58-15 = 43 mm to 58-12 = 46 mm (in your case, instead of 58 mm, substitute the length you intended).

It’s clear that we measure the needle itself – size L in the picture below.

You can come to the pharmacy directly with a barbell, but in this case you may have to quickly run away without waiting for the orderlies.

At the same time,
before the paramedics arrive
, we buy a liter bottle of distilled water (distillate).

Fill in

We pour distillate into the syringe and squeeze it into the hole in the jar, after which, without removing the syringe, we pull the rod back - if it draws air, then we repeat the filling, if it is distillate, then it means that we missed and “suck out” the electrolyte with the syringe until it “goes” » air. Having filled one can, we move on to the next one.

So we need to fill all 6 cans, after which we shake the battery several times so that the electrolyte is mixed, and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. After the “settlement”, we check the level with a syringe, and perhaps add distillate to some of the cans.

We seal the holes punched with an awl with sealant and be sure to charge the battery

Of course, don’t expect a miracle, but the battery will still work for a while

How to replace distillate

Quite often on the Internet you can find different liquids that are proposed to replace distilled water. Among them are the following:

Freshly collected rainwater.

It is believed that such a liquid contains no minerals or salts.

Boiled water.

Some people believe that once water is heated to 100 degrees, it becomes distilled.

Plain water.

There are opinions that ordinary tap drinking water is not capable of harming the battery, and it is quite functional with such liquid.

Melt water.

It is generally accepted that after freezing, no impurities or salts remain in the water.

In fact, nothing can replace distilled water. Any action with a liquid cannot 100 percent get rid of minerals, salts and other impurities. This is almost impossible without the use of special equipment and techniques. Tap or rain water, even after being in a different state of aggregation, is not able to be cleansed of absolutely all impurities.

Melt water and water collected during rain will still contain dirt and dust. After filling the battery, these impurities will settle on the surface of the plates, reducing their working area. Boiled water, and especially ordinary water, always contains salts and minerals. Such substances violate the standard properties of the electrolyte and are also deposited on the battery plates if you use it instead of distilled one.

You can try making distilled water yourself. But it is much easier and less energy-consuming to purchase liquid at a car dealership. It is very cheap and has a long shelf life. One small canister is enough for a long time.