battery watering system

[SimonV]

This should be an easy answer. If you use LA batteries do you use a watering system? How have you set it up? What are the disadvantages.

[Sailmonkey]

No, but when I replace the 4 GC2's I will. I can't see any downside.

[john61ct]

Just the little extra cost.

Only "needed" when access is difficult.

[Pete7]

None required because I use solar to charge the batteries, whilst before, with the genny and shore power we did need to add water regularly. So disconnect the shore power when you are away as it also saves the anodes.

Pete

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Pete7

None required because I use solar to charge the batteries, whilst before, with the genny and shore power we did need to add water regularly. So disconnect the shore power when you are away as it also saves the anodes.



Pete

We still water every three months on solar. Don't even have a battery charger on board. The batteries require emptying the cockpit lockers to access.....so new batteries get the watering system.

[Captsteve53]

OR if you dont want to go to that extent think about using Rolls battery caps ashttp://www.rollsbattery.com/wp-content/uploads/documents/RollsR-CAP.pdf

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by SimonV

This should be an easy answer. If you use LA batteries do you use a watering system? How have you set it up? What are the disadvantages.

I use a 1 gallon jug of distilled water, a red solo cup, a funnel, a flashlight, and a paper towel

[wyb2]

Thanks CF, another thing to buy. Considering I can't even check the water level on 2 of our 4 batteries without disconnecting and removing the other 2, this might be a seriously useful one.

Brand recommendations/thoughts from anyone who does have it? We have Trojan 6V's, so I'm seeing Trojan Hydrolink and Flow-Rite Pro-Fill as my options.

[Vasco]

I've found these bottles are the best thing for hard to reach batteries.

[john61ct]

No best is a watering system. Trojan's isn't worth paying the premium.

[john61ct]

But some say otherwise

http://svdenalirosenc43.blogspot.com...-watering.html

[nigel1]

I fitted the Trojan Hydrolink system two years ago, and other than for the price (I am in the UK), have no regrets.

Previous to the hydrolink system I used one of these

This bottle does help cut down on the mess. Insert the nozzle into the battery filler hole, and then press down. That opens a valve in the bottle cap which allows water to enter. The water flow cuts off when the liquid level in the battery reaches the nozzle.

I have 6 Trojan T125 batteries in one bank, but two of these batteries are remote from the other 4, so I needed to split the watering system.
The Hydrolink system came with 8 masterlink caps (leaves me two spare), a female coupler and pump.
As I needed to split the system, I had to get hold of a second coupler which I got from Flow-Rite (who were very helpful). I also needed some additional barbed straight and 'T' connectors for the hose.
The first lot of barbed connectors I bought and fitted where a plastic/nylon material which became brittle and broke apart. These were replaced with stainless steel connectors, any exposed metal being carefully wrapped with amalgamating/butyl tape.

The system has made watering the batteries so much easier and far less mess.

On reflection, it should be possible to make up your own system with parts from Flo-Rite, something like this
https://flow-rite.com/battery-wateri...rv/pro-fill-rv

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by nigel1

I fitted the Trojan Hydrolink system two years ago, and other than for the price (I am in the UK), have no regrets.

Previous to the hydrolink system I used one of these
Attachment 153409
This bottle does help cut down on the mess. Insert the nozzle into the battery filler hole, and then press down. That opens a valve in the bottle cap which allows water to enter. The water flow cuts off when the liquid level in the battery reaches the nozzle.

I have 6 Trojan T125 batteries in one bank, but two of these batteries are remote from the other 4, so I needed to split the watering system.
The Hydrolink system came with 8 masterlink caps (leaves me two spare), a female coupler and pump.
As I needed to split the system, I had to get hold of a second coupler which I got from Flow-Rite (who were very helpful). I also needed some additional barbed straight and 'T' connectors for the hose.
The first lot of barbed connectors I bought and fitted where a plastic/nylon material which became brittle and broke apart. These were replaced with stainless steel connectors, any exposed metal being carefully wrapped with amalgamating/butyl tape.

The system has made watering the batteries so much easier and far less mess.

On reflection, it should be possible to make up your own system with parts from Flo-Rite, something like this
https://flow-rite.com/battery-wateri...rv/pro-fill-rv

I have one of these but its useless where the batteries are in a tight spot. You need a lot of clearance to use it.

[d design]

Use a garden presurised watering can with some tubing on the nozzle. Makes life easy.