Battery Water

[GordMay]

As a matter of periodic planned maintenance, I’m not usually very concerned with the bare minimum, that I can (or might) “get away with”.

Given the ready availability & low cost of Distilled/Demineralized water; I see no routine reason to plan on using anything else in flooded batteries.

MidLandOne is correct, that a water analysis (or TDS reading), along with Table 3, can be used to determine the acceptability of alternate sources, when unusual conditions require.

BTW: I’ve owned several TDS meters, ranging in cost from $14 to $125; and never noted a significant difference in their readings. I recommend that every cruiser (using a watermaker, or taking water from unknown shore supplies), obtain & use one.

I’m certain that Alan (redcobra) did far less harm (if any) to his batteries, in replenishing them with bottled water; than would have occurred with exposed plates had he not replenished at all. I'm just as certain that he would have been wiser to obtain distilled water, if possible.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Given the ready availability & low cost of Distilled/Demineralized water; I see no routine reason to plan on using anything else in flooded batteries.

I can tell you it's close to impossible to find distilled water in Panama and if you succeed it's not going to be low cost at all! It's easier to find an acid-booster so I think everyone just uses tapwater for batteries here. And we have been to places where you can't buy any at all.

In the US it's easy as people like to drink that stuff (yuck!) and we found it all over the Publix super's in gallon bottles. But it's very different elsewhere!

cheers,
Nick.