Checking battery acid levels

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• Color of Our Primitive...
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I was asked how to check fluid levels in a lead acid battery from my video on emergency battery back up systems inspired by Steven Harris ( • DIY Emergency Battery ... ). If you are using solar or other method of charging batteries, it is important that you check the fluid levels from time to time. Also, the use of a hydrometer can show the charge level of the batteries. Always be safe and use protective items (Rubber gloves, Safety Glasses) when checking acid levels. Thanks for watching and I hope to see you in the woods!
Music By: D.Baird, EWSB, C2014

[@kkman30kVw]

Thanks for pointing out and showing that the battery fluid should only come up to the bottom of the plastic in the filler chamber and should not be coming up the sides of the chamber. Only possible improvement to the video would have been to show what the low cell looked like before and after filling to the correct level,

[@zeros_knives_and_bushcraft.]

Thanks for this, I recently made my own crank-a-watt style generator and was thinking about battery up keep.

[@popswrench2]

good vid and
another thot as hydrometers get more scarce ; voltmeter . start red to positive and just set black into electrolyte of nearest cell , usually readings 1.99-2.1 volts for a charge ,resting battery . now move leads black out , red in , black into next cell electrolyte , and same ; do not touch plates , just fluid . same reading range . now if memory serves , last cell to NEG term is near 0 volts . only need 6 readings , total should be near full volt reading across POS. & NEG. and near 12 volts & a setting battery should be BELOW 13 volts . one just off charger will have surface charge and be 13- 13.5 volt .use a light for 5-15 minutes to remove some of that surface charge for good testing . just another method that parallels your hydrometer well.
BOTH methods have proven BETTER , more often than fancy electronic wunders costing hundreds to thousands $$ .

[@EastWoodlandSurvival]

Good comment and great info. Thanks!

[@theeabster1983]

instead of distilled water would it not be better to replenish the liquid with battery acid?

[@EastWoodlandSurvival]

+the eabster Works just as well with distilled water, cheaper too. Thanks for watching!

[@thomvp9665]

NO, NO and NO !! It will cause a reaction that may come back in your face/hands. Add ONLY distilled water. A small baster or squirt bottle is best and great for this job. (adding acid to a DRY battery when new if ok.)

[@pinkameanadianepie3387]

i did not know that comes off

[@cheryldahl9192]

My battery is leaking... is it safe to drive to the mechanic?

[@EastWoodlandSurvival]

Should be.