My Screwy 31

landyacht318 wrote:
No Francis Freas bobber. East Penn in a OTC baster.

I know it is not as accurate, but should still compare accurately against earlier readings.

With the current electrolyte levels and charging profile, the battery is holding higher voltages overnight. If it held these voltages 6 months ago I would not have started this thread.

But I worry about exposing the plates as I did on my Crowns.

I assume the fully charged SG will keep rising as the level drops, and will drop when refilled.

My Crowns always had more voltage sag after a refill.
I'm reluctant to refill this battery before absolutely necessary and see the same "performance" drop off.

But the weaker electrolyte should be less erosive on the plates, no?. Would the difference in lifespan of the plates/ battery be measurable depending on how high or low the average electrolyte level is kept?

Should I just get some distilled H20 and refill them and expect a max SG of ~1.270 and see 12.0 minimum where as now it is 12.2?

HOw much of a max SG range should there be comparing electrolyte levels just below the split rings, compared to just over the plates?

BTW this last dipping was the first time the cells read different from each other, at least with the battery in this easy access/easy read location under the hood.

My personal take...

It's summer time. It's hot. You can adjust the top off voltage downwards, you can adjust the top off time downwards, but no matter how you slice it, you're going to go through more water in the summer, all other things being equal, and I'd want the acid level and the chemical reaction between the plates and acid a little less stout in the summer time, with the lower SG. Less erosive on the plates. I think they refer to the lower SG for hotter climates as "tropical blend" for the electrolyte. Good if you are in and around the South West and temps near or over triple digits F*

Ask Mex, but if you want the battery to last, I'd top the water off on all the cells.