How To Check & Properly Fill Water Levels In A Car Battery (Andy’s Garage: Episode - 192)
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- Опубликовано: 19 июл 2024
- Andy Phillips explains battery water levels, and how to check them and properly fill them. This video will help you understand the importance of battery water maintenance, and in return get the most out of your batteries!
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DISCLAIMER:
The individual featured on the Phillips Vision RUclips Channel identified as Andrew Phillips, also known as Andy Phillips is not a professional mechanic, contractor or certified repairman. He does not have any formal training in the automotive field, or any other trade. He is strictly a Do It Yourself handyman.
Phillips Vision, or the individuals featured on this channel, assume no liability for anything you choose to do to your vehicles, appliances, games or any other items featured in the videos before, or after watching one of the videos or utilizing the content from this channel.
All Do it Yourself (DIY) repairs or modifications you perform are at your own risk. Proper safety precautions are always needed, and are the responsibility of the viewer to follow. In some cases, even if you perform everything properly, you can destroy or damage one or more things you are working on resulting is costly repairs.
In addition, if for some reason, the instructions on this channel are incorrect, resulting it something becoming damaged, Phillips Vision and those featured on this channel WILL NOT reimburse or pay in any way the costs that may be incurred due to following wrong instructions.
PLEASE DO NOT PERFORM ANYTHING SHOWN ON THIS CHANNEL (PHILLIPS VISION) UNLESS YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE AND CONFIDENT TO DO SO. 
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All my life I have been filling the battery incorrectly. I was taught by my "elders" to fill the cell to the top. And I have been doing that with my golf cart batteries. I recently had some problems and I was told not to fill the cells to the top. I found a few instruction videos on the subject but this one was by far the best. It was short and to the point. It is amazing that a jack of all trades pushing 80 years old did not know not to overfill. Thanks.
Short??? Ya if there wasn't 6mins of safety at the beginning. Good lord this dude is laughable
@@koreyhayden1368your profile pic is laughable
@MrRedHotChiliMan awww, did it make your cry lib tears? Not sorry, anyone who thinks biden is even close to a good president needs to be locked up
@@MrRedHotChiliMan It is laughable democrats hate democracy so much.
I'm pretty sure I over filled it, Got it on repair mode on my charger, it's an old battery so it's not a big deal if it's a fail. As long as I don't have to wake up and grab a fire extinguisher at least I learned something new. And yes it's charging outside to avoid the expelled gasses
Fantastic Video. Thank You.
I've noticed a lot of comments asking how to see 1/2 inch above the plates.
I'm 66 and I could be wrong about this, but in high school auto shop I was told to fill the water to the where it barely touches the bottom of the plastic ring inside the fill hole. I check this by shinning a flashlight (or bright sun light) in the hole. If the reflection of the water is flat then it's not touching the ring and needs water. Add water to where the reflection becomes convex (curved). That indicates that the water level is touching the bottom of that ring. (the slot that is cut in the fill hole tube allows air to escape the cell when adding water)
You are correct, Sir...that's what those "rings" are for in each cell, to get the EXACT enough of (distilled) water needed, not guess or eyeball it's 1/2" above the plates -- don't know why he says that. Put water in until it's at the level -- just touches -- the bottom of the "rings" -- as you said. Also, don't wash dirt into the cells like this guy did -- CLEAN the top of the battery first to remove all dust/dirt/grit BEFORE adding water. Finally, use something better than he did (a large-mouth bottle) to add water with -- find some sort of old food (like a Siracha sauce bottle) or dish-soap container with a nozzle on it you can control the water going in almost to the drop.
Really...whatever happened to doing a job, ANY job, correctly/professionally nowadays? Even some professionals don't anymore. That doesn't mean we can't.
-- BR
2 years later we're still showing our appreciation and giving thanks for your time knowledge wisdom and video
Awesome, thanks for the support and comment...it is appreciated.
I was a generator mechanic in the army for 4 years. Did this wrong thousands of times. Thanks for sharing, wish I would have known that back then. Thanks for the education!
I wish my car manual would at least mentioned this important point. I had my car completely serviced before a big camping trip and the battery died during the trip. The mechanic who boosted my car told me that the water levels inside my battery were low. It's frustrating that I can't trust the dealership to check on this after paying them thousands of dollars to maintain the vehicle. I watched your video and carefully topped up the levels in each of the six cells with distilled water. Thank you very much Andy. 😎
I agree about not trusting the dealership. I believe that its stupidity or intentional. Both ways insures your early return for some repairs you didn't need for something they screwed up with. Its called job security.
You already know this...Just repeating myself...Its liability involved here...they can't tell people to touch that staff...Its sulfuric acid which can burn your skin and blind you....I will better pay $200 for a new battery, than having a burn on my hands....or even worst splashing that staff on my eyes....RUclips is for DYI,no liability....There should be a disclaimer from the RUclipsr...
If you told me that you could fix most batteries by just filling them up with damn water three days ago I would think you were absolutely crazy but my battery charges and works like it's brand new.
Back in the 70's\80's we had additives at the Auto parts stores Called (?) X6..?
And it would make a 10yr old Battery - CHARGE LIKE BRAND NEW- !! I can't remember which battery company bought the patent so they wouldn't make it anymore
I’m going for it ! I have nothing to lose
@ Bonnie J-- The battery additive is called VX-6. I can remember my dad using VX-6 in his car batteries in the 1960's and 1970's. My dad liked it so much, that he bought a carton of 12 units that included a small poster of NASCAR driver Lee Petty. In the ad Lee Petty would say "I would rather run without tires than not have VX-6 in my battery."
@@bonniej2609 its called VX-6, an they do still sell those on ebay
@@franknew9001 Bunch of people selling it on Ebay alright, but it ALL looks like ancient vintage, which may be fine just as good as new, but doesn't look like anyone is selling it Brand New. Pink colored or almost like ATF. Amazon has Battery renew/restore marketed to golf carts & such.
Thank you for your time. Bought a battery and found out my alternator was cracked on the bottom bolt,so I got a new alternator. Drove it around for a couple months,didn’t have anything to do so I watched your video. My battery,new,was low so I filled it,like you said,which I knew,with distilled water to the mark,so thanks and I will subscribe for that knowledge.👍
Thank you! Finally found someone who can stay on subject. Most get off and on the subject and it confuses some people.. now I can share this when need be!
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Great instructions, thanks for the video. Issue for me though is that I can't see any "plates". Even if I did, how do I gauge 1/2 an inch from the plate up? Very difficult. It's a lot easier to tell us how far to fill from the top/opening, for example, up to 1/2 an inch from the top. It's odd that they don't have markings. I guess battery manufactureres don't want us to do any refill?
My compliments on your video, your presentation is quite professional with an approach that's concise and easy to follow. Well done!
Thanks, I appreciate your feedback
I have 20/20 vision, but I've never been able to determine how far over the plates the water level is. I can only see if the water is over them or not. I've tried using a flashlight in the dark, direct sunlight, etc. How hard would it be for manufacturers to make it easy to see. Ugh.
Jeez man. AGREED
Outstanding video that gets straight to the point of HOW with crystal clear instruction and explanations as to the WHY this type of maintenance is necessary. Much appreciated!!
Right...now look into it more and find out the WAY BETTER (and proper!) way to do it.
-- BR
Thank You I appreciate the video. It really helped
Thanks for this visual I actually enjoyed the information and knowledge you gave. Omw to grab some distilled water so I can return the $200 battery I just bought .
Thanks, I checked the water level, and it is low. I hope this helps my battery. I didn't know about using distilled water or charging it first. Thanks
This video is very helpful and explains everything very well. Thank you!
You’re welcome 👍
I wish there was an easier way to see the level on batteries lol
Something like the TPMS on the tires? lol
@@AMC-eq3jr p
Get a clear battery
@@irishuwould5185 I would if they were good and readily available lol
There is! Use your smart phone light. I just did that.
AWESOME VIDEO THANK YOU 👍💯
An excellent and informative video. Thank you. I just wish your audio levels were a bit higher, but other than that -- great work!
You should probably clean up all that crap around the holes so it doesn't fall in. other than that, excellent video.
Only other thing I would do is VERY carefully clean away all the debris around the holes before adding water!
Seems like a design flaw if it’s that important.
and use a funnel
Thank you so much for this video 😭
You’re welcome
Thanks for sharing
Haha....who all is watching this and has never checked their battery??? The same battwry thats been in their rig for 4 or 5 yrs
This is wild, at 51 I have always filled it to the top jajaja thanks for the info
😶😶 CHARGE UR BATTERY 1ST-!!!! Makes an EXCELLENT POINT!
So how did you measure the water level you never said? Just eyed what looks like half an inch? Is that the same as the bottom of the fill caps?
thanks for this video it helps me.
You’re welcome
Thanks for the video; very well done. I just bought an RV which came with a 12v battery which requires maintenance (as you described). My previous trailer had a maintenance-free battery. Why are they still making these batteries since the advent of maintenance-free batteries? As you describe, they are dangerous (gloves, goggles). Should I just swap it out?
These batteries are more suited to lower-amperage draw and for discharging to lower levels without as much damage.
Thank you!!
Help...I used a turkey bayster to fill battery with distilled water because the location was so difficult. Halfway through I realized I had used that turkey baster to put oil in a hard to reach oil spot on my generator. What in the world have I done?
About the distilled water. Where I work (Rex Industrial Equipment Ltd in Auckland,New Zealand) we top up the electric forklift batteries with plain old tap water and it's been done that way since long before I started working there.
I always used tap water.... I'll try distilled next time
The minerals in tap water can act as a pathway for dendrites to form between the lead plates, leading to further damage and degradation of the battery, ultimately resulting in a completely unusable one.
@@mobilemodular5725
Ah yea.... those damned dendrites.....
Some places have less impurities. In Texas we have super hard water; it destroys coffee pots, washers, dish washers, faucets etc and that's the kind that'll ruin a battery. Distilled just makes the battery last longer
Would you want to run a "Battery Recond" cycle after doing this?
That teach me a lot
Thanks for your good videos. 1 more quick question on car batteries: do NOT mix/top off a battery w/ acid from another battery?
Even if the acid from another battery tests good/okay w/ a specific gravity tester?
Just use Distilled water instead right?
Thanks again.
take care,
- Leeroy
I had a car that had been sitting for 3 months. I charged my battery on the quick-charge, it reached 70% then shut off. I let it rest for a day, then let it charge on the 2A trickle charge overnight. The next morning I checked, it said “battery error”, and looked at the display that ready its last milestone was 70%.
I checked the fluid levels, the 2 outside holes were pretty low (added 13.5oz to each), the 2 middle ones were low (added 10.5 oz to each) and the inside holes required 6.25 oz each).
I assumed this is the issue, and considered the battery charged (as much as possible).
I just put it on the 2A charger.
Is this acceptable?
WOW ,YOU REALLY EXPLAINED EVERYTHING VERY WELL. THIS VIDEO IS THE BEST EXPLAINED THAT IVE SEEN 👍💯🏎
**CHARGE UR BATTERY 1ST! Should be in the Title😏
Can we add distilled water in all kinds of car battery.. Or only in sealed or flooded plzzz answered me??????
What if when I takeoff the caps? I don’t see any discs, but a whole bunch of gunk?
I know you said to charge the battery first. Im sure thats the proper way to do it, but if I dont have access to a charger, can i hook up jumper cables to it, charging it that way? Thanks in advance for your info and help.
Yes, you can recharge the battery with another car. What I’m not sure is if it fully charges it to the max like when you leave it on a charger to 100%
@@PhillipsVision Thank you very much for the response. I guess I couldnt make it much worse. Appreciate it.
I never fully charged my batteries and never had issues
I only have one hole in my battery and when I opened it , it had a grey slime and no water , what could it be ???
i have found a skunk spray/cobra venom mixture to work well for extending battery life. however, it is very pricey.
I've had my car for three years and never checked this, didn't even know batteries had water... Oh no.
same, same :O
Me either ! My battery went out on me rite now and my friend is telling me to refill it with water
I have been driving for over 10 years and just realized my batteries need water. It probably doesn't have a drop in there at this point, lol
Not all of them can be refilled. Some are sealed.
hey, thanks for the video - do you will water till the brim?
No, only approx 1/2” above the plates
Thank you all this time i thought that you have to ad led acid and distilled water
Anyone have experience with the
Battery MINDer (brand name) with Smart Technology 12V Charger - Maintainer - Automatic Full-Time Desulfator?
Do you know if it actually does extend the life of a battery?
I have a classic car, and although I charged the battery, the car would not start. All the cells were dry. I will fill them as directed.Do I have to charge it again after I add the distilled water. I will also check the battery with a volt meter. Your thought's? Live in Florida
I would recharge it just to be safe but use a charger with a trickle feature so you don’t overcharge
I've added water to car batteries I've owned in the past but it appears the Duralast Gold in my car right now does not open. Most batteries clearly have caps that you can remove but this one does not appear to be able to open I can't figure it out. There is a narrow strip that goes all the way across the top of the battery but it's flush with a level of the battery. It does not appear to be removable. Are there some batteries you can't check the water level of? Thanks
There are maintenance free batteries on the market.
I regret replacing mine with a water-based one to be honest. It's just one more thing to do and has the added risk of dealing with acids.
What is the actual reason for sulfation over filling or under filling of distilled water????
Can you use REVERSE OSMOSIS water in filling a car’s battery?
That should be fine since it is free of impurity’s
What if i overfilled what is gonna happened?
The battery in my wife's 2003 Civic does not appear to have any water in it. It is a genuine Honda battery and the plates "appear" to be covered with some sort of plastic sheeting. Never seen this before, always been able to see the plates. Is this something new in battery technology and should I add water to it anyway? Thanks.
I’m not familiar with a battery like this. All the batteries I’ve dealt with are the standard type
not all batteries have refillable water
I've been told to bring the water level up to the rings in each cell,but never in my life have I been able to see the so called rings. Anybody have insight?
Can you do this with any batteries even the ones that don't work? If so, Can you charge a bad battery and then add distilled water? or add little distilled water, then charge it before adding more distilled water?
If a battery is completely gone you cannot recharge it
Hello, do you have some videos about battery charge?
I have this one on how to charge a battery: ruclips.net/video/MOVwJGO8-7c/видео.htmlsi=3eDJWspkLA9Lt4yb
Brighter light can’t see water level what is plate?
What if my batteries completely dead and there was no water in it I added water and I put my charger but my charger wouldn't start I think because my battery was dead I have one of those new Dewalt yellow looking car battery chargers and it won't come on I'm thinking because the battery is completely dead where is my charger broken
Is de-mineralised water ok?
Honestly I can't see anything in those holes that would teach me how much water is enough. "above the plates", sure, that I can judge, but how much visually is "half an inch above them" I cannot say.
I'm confused about the fill your battery prior to charging. My battery charger manual states to fill the batteries to proper level with distilled water prior to charging. So what if you are charging a battery that has proper water levels in it already? Do you have to take water out? ....something does not compute here, can you clarify if you have time? Great video by the way - thanks !
If the levels are fine, you are good to charge. Only fill prior to charging if the levels are low
I totally agree with you. I would refill, then recharge.
@@PhillipsVision I think at the 3:53 mark you said charge it prior to filling with the distilled water, that is why I was confused. Maybe you don't add water prior to charging unless it is super super low. I'm a newbie at charging so sorry for the questions.
Could this be why my battery light turns on under heavy loads? I have a new alternator and lots of other new parts. But I’ve never checked my water.
Don’t think so. There are a few things that can cause that problem. How is the tension of your belt? You may have a new alternator, but if the belt is slipping that can cause your problem
@@PhillipsVision
My friends older Honda Hy-brid is notorious for the battery light going on every so often. Now l will have her head examined. ( l meant the belts ).
added water before charging since it was just below the plates - how long should someone wait to charge?
After you fill you can charge
So after u fully charge it and then fill it should it be good to go?
As long as it is holding the charge and not completed gone...yes, it should be fine
You cannot actually see the water level you do better telling them to put a measuring stick into the hole and don't go no further than that
So I mistakenly added water first, smh , is there a window of time I need to wait to charge it ?
No, you can charge it
When you buy a charger do you have to charge it first or can u use it right away
Wow !
I still don't understand why we're supposed to charge it before we add water. If I just drove my car for an hour plus the day before shouldn't the battery be full from the alternator already?
Kinda makes sense. I guess you only need to charge it when the car has been inactive for a long period of time.
So i’m an idiot and didn’t watch this video first. Filled up my golf cart batteries too much, now they’ll only charge 50%. Can i remove some of the water to the proper level and save the batteries or did I screw them up permanently? Over $1,000 in batteries so i’m really hoping i didn’t screw them up!
Use a suction tool to remove the access water
So, what if it wouldn't take a charge? I tried for most of the night but wasn't building up. Pulled caps and some were lower but all above the fins.
The battery might be gone
@PhillipsVis¹ion so I filled em, charged it, and it charged to "full". Now hopefully it works too without blowing up. Lol
How do you know when the water is a 1/2” above the plate?
I just eyeball it
You said to charge the battery, then fill the battery with water, but my manual for my battery charger says you need to fill the battery first, then charge.
You should only fill it AFTER it’s completely charged. Now, keep in mind that if the battery is does not have enough water to cover the plates BEFORE charging, you’ll need to add water to cover them and top it off AFTER charging. Hope this makes sense.
@@PhillipsVision thank you for responding quickly.
My other question(s); it's a little tough for me to see exactly how high above the plates that the water level is. Is it alright if it isn't exactly the measurement you listed? How high is too high?
I made sure not to have the water level touch the bottom of the holes on top of the battery (hope that makes sense), is that good?
@@ReCharredSigh try using a flashlight to see, because it is hard
Remember the water doesn't remain water but converts to strong sulfuric acid
How are you measuring from the top of the plates?
Just eyeballing it approximately
After filling up wt distilled water.. do i need to charge it again?
a j no, just make sure it is 100% charged BEFORE you top off the water levels
@@PhillipsVision ok..thanks
NO.Don’t charge it after filling with distilled water he said on the video to charge the battery before adding the distilled water
He said fully charge your battery and then add distilled water And you’ll be ready to put in the car
Can you fill it up while the battery is in the engine bay without disconnecting the negative and positive lines?
Can you put the distilled water in while the battery is still plugged in?
I just did. I'm still here to talk about it, so you know it's safe. To top it off (HA!) I did four batteries...
Can I fully charge the battery before adding the water, and fully charge again after adding the water?
I don’t think you’ll need to. If you fully charge before adding water it should be fine. If you decide to recharge after I would use a charger with a trickle function so you don’t overcharge
@@PhillipsVision Thanks for the reply! Good advice 👍
Umm if battery is in car and car is being drivin do you still have to take battery out and charge it and sorry but I really couldn't see water level would be right before it hits top the plastic like inch before it over flows
The water lever has to cover the plates approx an inch. If your voltage on the battery is not low, then you don’t need to remove and charge. If it’s below 12 volts I’d recommend recharging to a full status.
What about if the charger refuses to fully charge the battery due to low water level
That's why u fill it up
I went through water and it got on my battery and it died
This video is immensely helpful! Tbh though, I’m having a hard time seeing the water levels in the video, is there a drawing or something I could check out?
You can use a Bright flashlight - Just need to cover the Lead Plate you'll see if you Lean it Slightly(and the Water is a Lil Low
What if I, per say, dumped all the water out not knowing it was supposed to be in there…what steps do I take?
You will need to refill to the proper level
No because u would have lost all the battery acid, u either need to know right ratio acid to water or get a new battery, and not addressing when water is so low won't take a charge so needing to fill before charge is quite the oversight. Not trying to be Karen but these are pretty simple concepts not too mention not know what a gel battery is, I don't know this channel but definitely not an experienced car guy
@@shaneludington66 I ended up putting some distilled water in each of the cells and it has been working fine ever since. Not saying you are wrong, but its worked thus far
If you dumped all the electrolytes out of your battery, I'm doubt that it is still working. Batteries do not contain only water so dumping it all out and adding water will lead to a failed battery or an underperforming one.
fill all the levels evenly
I dint know anyone that unhooks their battery every month
Are each of the plates isolated from each other..in seperate compartments.
Yes. Each hole is like a well surrounding each plate. I just had mine die and not charge, tried to jump it for a hour and a half and didn't work. Had O'rileys charge it on their machine and then filled it up and my car started.
why does no one use a hydrometer anymore?
That's hydrometer is only for pros! This video is like a add water to a battery for dummies!!! It took him 8:30 minutes to explain that and I laugh the entire 8:30 minutes! Is like Mr Ed explaining!!!😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
Can you use purified water?
Should be distilled
I just wonder how do you know that you level is half an inch above those plates? You did not measure it, maybe I missed smth
Can i use Purified Water?
yes
Too many people do it differently and i got mislead. Now my battery is overflowing 😢
You are only supposed to just barely cover the plates. You overfilled it if it’s overflowing
What are the plates ?
Each cell has a positive and negative plate which causes a reaction in the acid. That creates the voltage
@@PhillipsVision Thank you
Drop level up
My friend said the reason he fills his with water is bc it won’t take a charge .
On my batteries, there is no way to tell really accurately how full the cells are!
I can't see at all what the water levels actually are.
You want it to be about an inch above the plates
@@PhillipsVision is it ok if i accidentally put just a little bit much above the level?
@@veloriccajenson3962 if it’s just a little, yes
@@PhillipsVision whoaa thank you for the reply 😀😀
Shouldn't you use electrolyte and not distilled water? The solution in battery consists of 65% water and 35% sulfuric acid. By adding water only, aren't you diluting the ratio? Unless sulfuric acid can't be lost and only water is lost. But I'm not sure.
You’re not diluting the chemicals because it is only the water that diminishes in the battery, not the chemicals themselves. Make sure you use distilled water only since it is void of minerals.
@@PhillipsVision I see. It's just that I saw numerous times electrolytes for car battery in shops. Which is kinda weird knowing that you shouldn't use it. Anyway, thanks.
@@dual7779 electrolytes and distilled water are basically the same thing
@@PhillipsVision Lead acid battery electrolytes that I see for sale in my country have corrosive sign on the package. Pure distilled water never does. That's why I was confused in the first place.
@@dual7779 your electrolyte is what it is in the battery cells the liquid the combination of the battery acid and water what they are selling you in the stores is the electrolyte the battery acid for the laymen
It would make sense for the manufacturer of these types of batteries should have added a mark inside or just stop making these...
Can't see the water levels at all
My battery won’t charge so i guess water won’t fix it then ?
If the battery is completely dead, you can try charging it. If it’s gone, you will need to replace it
I don't know u hv to charge the battery B4 adding the distilled water. 😮
I just add it in the engine battery on my car. It was really low.
I could really see the level that it should be in ur video at the end.
Instructions must've been unclear; you do not put water in your engine
@@MadoushiLegion lol I meant in my engine battery.
This is a tutorial for a mid 20s city girl.....and 0.002% of city girls in their 20s would do this, they will take it to a shop. Good effort man, but...this is like teaching a teenager how to cook ramen noodles, yes tjeres a process but, not this extensive