If there is no distilled water for the battery, is it possible to fill it with boiled water? Adding distilled water to a battery Is it possible to fill a battery with distilled water?

An electrolyte is a solution of water and sulfuric acid, and it is this that is poured into the battery. When the battery operates, water decomposes into oxygen and hydrogen, which escapes through the vents. Therefore, the electrolyte level, due to the decomposition of water, will decrease and the driver periodically needs to add distilled water to the battery.

Before you do this, you need Clean the battery cover thoroughly from dust and dirt., which may contain droplets of sulfuric acid. This is done to prevent dust and dirt from getting inside the AB cans and onto your clothes.

Nowadays, most batteries are produced in transparent cases, and it is very easy to determine which jars need to be filled with distilled water. Moreover, the minimum and maximum electrolyte fill marks are applied to the battery case. For the convenience of adding water, you can use a medical syringe. The electrolyte level must be maintained 1-1.5 cm above the location of the plates. Under no circumstances should you add more distilled water than the required amount.

After you have added distilled water to the battery, you will need to measure the density of the electrolyte. But you can’t do this right away, because your measurements will be inaccurate due to the fact that mixing of liquids is slow. It's best to do it the next day, pre-charging the battery. The density of the electrolyte, when operating a car in the central part of Russia, should be 1.27 g/cc, in the south - 1.25 g/cc, in the north 1.29 g/cc. Let's measure it using a hydrometer.

On maintenance-free batteries there is no access to the battery banks. But the Russians found a way out here too. Add distilled water to such AB steel using a syringe with a needle, piercing a hole opposite the can where it should be added. You can determine the need for topping up by the color of the indicator. If it is white, then distilled water needs to be added to this jar.

To prevent its density from increasing significantly when the electrolyte boils away, it is necessary to promptly add distilled water to the battery. How to properly add distilled water to the battery? Let's look at this process in more detail.

Features of pouring distillate

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

There are special risks inside the current source indicating minimal and maximum level for distillate.

To prevent dirt from getting into the battery, use a regular syringe to fill it 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 replace it.

Under no circumstances should you add fluid immediately after you have turned off the engine. It needs to sit for at least six to eight hours. Only after “rest” can the battery be opened and the filling process begin.
After filling with water, you also cannot immediately put the device into operation. Wait at least until the next morning, otherwise it may boil, which will lead to fatal consequences.
Topping up with distillate will not make the device new, but will simply improve its functioning slightly. If the battery has already used up its resource, it is better to replace it with a new one.
Before putting the battery into operation, check the volume of fluid inside. You can start using it only if the water level is within normal limits.
And under no circumstances use ordinary water for refilling, but only special distilled water purchased from a specialist. stores in closed containers. When filling with ordinary water, the plates will be destroyed and the battery will completely fail.
Filling the battery with water should be done at room temperature in a closed room.

Anyone, even a novice motorist, knows that timely maintenance of a car is very important for its comfortable operation. Therefore, checking its main parts, instruments and sensors before a trip is a mandatory ritual for the driver. Another important condition is periodic inspection and repair of the vehicle by qualified craftsmen. But many car owners, in the process of increasing their driving experience, begin to independently understand the main parts and mechanisms of their vehicle. Therefore, in most cases, we are able to carry out repairs and maintenance of its devices ourselves.

One of these main parts in a vehicle is the battery. Under normal conditions, such a battery is charged while the car is running. But there are often cases when, if other devices in the car malfunction, it needs to be charged using a special device. Such operating conditions affect the rapid wear of the device. In addition, it needs to be refilled from time to time. Many people are often confused about what to add to the battery: water or electrolyte. What functions does this device perform, how to determine the level in it, how and with what to fill it correctly, we will look into this article.

Battery concept

This is a special mechanism that is used in a vehicle directly to start it and further operate it. In addition, such a device is designed to optimize the operation of voltage peaks when the vehicle is started.

Electrolyte concept

For the battery to function effectively, an electrolyte must be used. It represents distilled water. No third party admixtures should be used here. Otherwise it will change its density. The electrolyte level in the battery is also important for proper performance. If it is below the required norm, then in the future this will inevitably lead to unstable operation of the vehicle’s auxiliary power source, and the owner will not be able to start the car normally. At the same time, the internal plates will dry out, and the battery power will significantly decrease. Also, do not exceed the sufficient fluid level in the system. Otherwise, in the future this will lead to complete or partial breakdown of this mechanism. The battery will drain faster. Therefore, the electrolyte level in the battery must be stable. This will ensure normal operation of the vehicle.

When is it necessary to recharge the battery?

According to many experts, a car battery cannot be maintenance. Therefore, the question of what to add to the battery: water or electrolyte is considered irrelevant by some experts. But this is if it is used under normal conditions. If a car owner likes to travel in his vehicle on long distances, then he must take this parameter into account. The electrolyte must contain water. It may evaporate during operation of the device. The liquid may begin to actively transform into a vapor state in the event of a complete or partial malfunction of the relay regulator. The main points of malfunction of the mechanism must include:

The appearance of strong steam from the filler holes.
The appearance of electrolyte drops on the battery case.
Excessive heating of the battery during vehicle operation.

It is also worth considering the type of battery. They can be serviced or unserviced. In the first case, evaporation will be greater, so it is for them that the relevant question is what to add to the battery: water or electrolyte. In maintenance-free batteries, the liquid is contained in a sealed housing. Therefore, during operation, the liquid still rises up, but does not go beyond the boundaries of the housing, and subsequently falls down again, precipitating. In such devices the cycle is closed. Such batteries do not require checking the fluid in them.

Methods for checking electrolyte levels

As noted earlier, only serviceable batteries require such testing. The first method of verification must include a visual inspection. As a rule, the battery case of the device is made transparent. Various marks are placed here. They indicate the fluid level. Therefore, you can visually track the amount of electrolyte in the system.

But not all serviceable battery models come with a transparent case. In this case, the car owner can use a special transparent tube, which has a diameter of 5 mm.

To carry out the check:

you need to unscrew the battery cover;
release the tube into the liquid until it stops;
Pinch the outer hole tightly with your finger;
get the phone.

The electrolyte level must correspond to the level of its column in such a tube.

What to do if the electrolyte level is inappropriate

The car owner should know that the height of the liquid in the tube must be within 15 mm. If this norm is exceeded, then the excess solution should be removed. To do this you will need a rubber bulb or syringe.

If the electrolyte level is low, you can add water to the solution. Is electrolyte added to the battery? The answer to this question can be obtained by analyzing the composition of the solution in the battery. As already noted, this is water and solution of hydrochloric acid. During operation, only water evaporates, so it is added during maintenance. But if the density of the solution is too low, then acid is added to increase it. Therefore, when answering the question of what to add to the battery: water or electrolyte, you must first measure the density of the solution. You can do this yourself.

Checking electrolyte density

The car owner must also know that, in addition to the electrolyte level, it is also necessary to check its density. Therefore, before adding distilled water to the battery, you should definitely check the density of the solution.

This can be done with a special device called a hydrometer. It has the shape of a float. It has a corresponding scale, graduated in density units. There is a balloon on top. This is where the solution goes. The liquid level must ensure normal movement of the float in a vertical position. The density of the electrolyte in the battery should remain within 1.25-1.3 g/cubic meter. cm. When the level deviates upward, distilled water is used. If this level deviates downwards, then a special corrective electrolyte is used. It significantly increases the density of the liquid used in the system.

How to add distilled water to a battery

If the density is higher than normal, this indicates evaporation of the liquid that needs to be added. How much water should I add to the battery? The level of the solution in the battery must be maintained 1-1.5 cm above the level of the plates. You cannot add distilled water more than the permitted amount. After refueling, be sure to re-check the density of the liquid by first charging the battery.

Conclusion

Based on the above, it is imperative to conclude that in order to ensure the normal operation of the vehicle, the owner must monitor the electrolyte level in the car battery. Otherwise, the driver simply will not start his vehicle. The level should not deviate upward or downward. In the future, this will certainly lead to malfunctions in the system. In addition to monitoring the electrolyte level, you must carefully monitor its density. If the established indicator deviates, certain actions must be taken to increase or decrease the level of density in the system. Is it possible to add water to the battery? Yes, but only if the density of the solution in the battery is higher than normal.

On average, a car battery is in use for 3 to 5 years; some battery models can last up to seven or even 10 years. But in order for the energy storage device to serve properly for a long time, it should be regularly maintained and, if necessary, water should be added to the battery. When the solution level is low, the lead plates in the jars are quickly destroyed, and as a result of sulfation, the battery fails. Maintenance consists of keeping the battery clean, maintaining the density and required volume of electrolyte, and how much water needs to be filled, what the density should be and some other points we will consider in this article.

Automotive accumulator battery ensures the operation of energy consumers when the engine is not running, and also allows for uninterrupted engine starting in different climatic conditions. The battery gets its charge from the generator, but if the electrical equipment is faulty, the battery may lose its charge and may not start the car. We will not dive deeply into theory, but we will try to explain the structure and operation of this unit in simple words. So, a battery for a car:

has six cans with lead plates filled with electrolyte (sulfuric acid solution);
each of the plates has electrodes with positive and negative charges;
When charging, the plates accumulate energy and release it to consumers (including the starter when starting the engine).

For normal functioning of the battery, the sulfur solution in jars must contain a strictly defined proportion of acid and water, which is called density, and various problems with the battery arise when this balance is disturbed. The density would be a constant value, but when the battery is discharged, the plates are covered with lead sulfate, hydrogen leaves the sulfuric acid, reacting with oxygen, the solution becomes too “liquid”, and the density drops.

Only water should be added to the battery, and it is strictly forbidden to add electrolyte. The fact is that when charging a dead battery, the density increases to the required level, the lost capacity is returned, and if this does not happen, then the battery no longer needs topping up, but restoration (if the battery has not yet completely failed). Fill electrolyte only in the following cases:

the very first refueling of a dry-charged battery is performed;
It was definitely established that the electrolyte leaked out of the cans.

In maintenance-free batteries, topping up is not required throughout their entire service life; the cans of this type of battery are sealed, and evaporation does not occur.

We have already sorted out the question of whether to add water or electrolyte; now we need to find out what quality the added liquid should be. Water can be ordinary (raw), boiled and distilled, and although all liquids are not much different in appearance and taste, they chemical composition they have different ones. If you pour in ordinary water flowing from a tap, when it reacts with sulfuric acid, it can give an unpredictable result, as a result of which the battery will not be fully charged. The thing is that this moisture contains many different salts, microparticles of metals, and other impurities, and significantly affects chemical process. Of course, nowadays various filters are used to provide effective cleaning, but they do not fully provide 100% results. Another option - boiled water, bacteria die in it due to strong heating, but salts and other microparticles remain.

Distillate is the only liquid composition acceptable for mixing with an electrolyte; it is freed from dissolved and undissolved particles and does not conduct electric current. Distilled water can be obtained in several ways:

The distilled liquid has no taste or smell, and pure snow and rainwater also have a minimal amount of various impurities, but adding them to the electrolyte is not recommended.

At the very beginning of the article we already noted that low level electrolyte in battery banks can lead to the destruction of lead plates, so the electrodes cannot be dry, they are completely filled with solution. But the water level must be certain, 10-25 mm above the upper edge of the plates (depending on the battery model and the manufacturer’s recommendations), any deviations from the norm in any direction lead to undesirable, and sometimes even disastrous consequences:

if there is not enough electrolyte in the battery, the battery quickly runs out, often fails completely, and the battery may even explode under load;
if the level is too high, the required density is not achieved (the standard is 1.27 g/cm³), liquid begins to come out of the cans, and oxides appear on the body and terminals.

But overfilling of water is not as bad as underfilling, although it also does not bode well; for example, at low temperatures there may not be enough density to start the engine with the starter.

How to add water:

If the level is too high (under the very “neck”) the density drops, and it cannot be raised even with the help of charging. Therefore, in this case, it is allowed to use a pear to pull the solution out of the jar a little more than normal and add electrolyte rather than water. Such actions should be trusted to professional battery technicians; due to inexperience, you may fail to cope with the task and ruin the battery.

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 twisting them, and connect them to the terminals Charger, 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.

Video: Water or electrolyte, what should I add to the battery?

When the battery begins to “boil,” the electrolyte level drops and its density becomes greater. If you miss this moment and do not correct it in time, then the battery may lose its capacity over time. To prevent it from boiling, you need to add the required amount of distilled water to it. Before you start doing 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 clothing.

Second. Dirt can get inside the battery and further damage it. Third. Doing a clean job is simply a lot more enjoyable. 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. The recesses on the top cover, especially around the plugs, are easiest to clean with a match or a cotton swab. Only distilled water can be poured into the battery. Moreover, only in jars in which the electrolyte level is below the minimum. The level in translucent batteries is determined by special marks - marks on the sides of the case. You can see the tides inside the filler holes, which indicate the upper and lower levels. If there are no marks, then you can focus on a level approximately 10-15 mm above the top of the plates.

It is recommended to add water to the battery using a regular rubber bulb, a large syringe, or using an aerometer (more precisely, its external flask) to measure the density of the electrolyte. After adding water, the density of the electrolyte is not restored immediately, since in the battery there are small gaps between the plates and the liquids mix therefore rather slowly (sometimes the density is restored only after several weeks). For this reason, after adding water, the battery must sit for at least several hours. Only in this case will density indicators become more or less 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 the measurements before and after is not very large, this means that the battery is ready for use again after a short recharge. The most common mistake made by car enthusiasts with little experience is adding undistilled water to the battery. If you fill the battery with ordinary tap water, which contains a lot of different impurities and salts, the density and chemical composition of the electrolyte are disrupted. Because of this, the battery then begins to lose charge faster, sulfation and destruction of the plates occurs, and the battery capacity decreases.

Another common mistake is adding water in the cold. This should not be done for obvious reasons - the top layer of electrolyte in this case simply freezes without having time to mix with the bottom. The result may be destruction of the battery housing itself, as well as its failure. If in winter, immediately before a trip somewhere, you discover the need to add water, then it is better to do this before leaving, otherwise you will have to tinker on the road, and then, possibly, buy a new battery. In order for the electrolyte density to return to normal faster after topping up, you can run it for a little while (up to 40-50 minutes) while running at idle speed car. You can also add water to the battery while the engine is running.

Another of the most common mistakes made by car enthusiasts is forgetfulness or simple negligence. Many people 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 even a new battery simply stops performing its functions properly or stops working altogether and goes to the recycling market.

There are times when the battery requires topping up water to restore the electrolyte level. Under no circumstances should it be added before recharging begins. This is also a common mistake made by inexperienced or lazy drivers. It’s just that during recharging, the volume of electrolyte increases, and excess liquid can simply overflow through the lids, damaging cables, clamps, stands and floors. You can add water no earlier than 2-3 hours before the end of recharging. Mistakes are often made by those who have never read the battery operating instructions and by those who inattentively, “between the lines” read the advice given on forums on the topic of how to add distilled water to the battery.