Does hot weather affect battery performance?
I have four 12 volt lead acid deep cycle batteries in a vented metal box on the tongue of my Toy Hauler. We recently have gone through several days of 100 degree temps. Made me start thinking about...
Forum Discussion
MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
Traditionally, high temperature and a flooded battery can be corrected by adjusting electrolyte gravity and the temperature compensation primary voltage.
It takes wool clothing, a 5-gallon bucket, safety glasses, gloves, an accurate hydrometer, a funnel, and a gallon jug of distilled water.
The battery must be brand spanking new. Then top charged and left overnight disconnected from the charger.
Invert the battery and drain the cells into the bucket. Every last drop is not important.
Establish bucket gravity with the hydrometer. OEM should be 1.275 to 1.280
You are going to dilute the electrolyte with distilled water until it weakens to 1.260 on the hydrometer.
You have one shot at this. Or, if over-diluted, buy a 2-1/2 gallon carton of battery electrolyte and start over.
.....ments. Electrolyte is adjusted to 1.300
So, how is this different than pouring in several cups of distilled water when the battery water level is low? Doesn't that dilute it and drop the specific gravity? Or are you saying that getting exactly to this 1.260 number, not higher, not lower, is the key? What happens when you drop it under 1.260? Or, does adding water only add H2O and the specific gravity stay the same? What you do with the bucket is pouring ot the electrolyte which does not evaporate? I may have answered my own question....
