Quick Vote: Battery Reservoir Cover Caps -- On or Off?

[CopilotCompanio]

Placed my 12 volt battery on a trickle charger in the garage today. Friend insisted the caps that cover the water reserviors should be opened to avoid a build up of gases that would lead to an explosion. That sounds like a good way for the water to evaporate to me but I didn't want to contradict him. (He'd been kind enough to help me lift a battery that was too heavy for me.). And, to tell you the truth, I wasn't really sure?

I'll watch the battery over the Winter. But should I re-cover the water reservoir with the caps? What say you? Caps on? Or caps off?

Thanks, in advance,

/CC

[CharlesinGA]

CopilotCompanion wrote:
Friend insisted the caps that cover the water reserviors should be opened to avoid a build up of gases that would lead to an explosion.

That is about the *%#*@! suggestion I have ever heard (not condemning you, you asked a legitimate question, I am commenting on your friend)

Automobile alternators put out from 60 to 180 amp, and charge the batteries fairly heavy after a normal start. Does your friend remove the caps on his car batteries when he is driving? Or a golf cart when it is charging, or a electric man lift when it is plugged in, or anything else with batteries with removable caps?

The caps are vented.

Charles

[pianotuna]

Remove them to equalize charge the battery. For normal charging leave them in place.

[MrWizard]

leave them in place

many years ago maybe 50?
when batteries were shipped dry/empty
it was common to add the acid, then hit them with a high voltage charge
and the caps were left off for this initial activation

but normal charging, normal floating/tending does NOT need them to be remove

[red31]

"Tighten all vent caps before charging."
http://www.trojanbattery.com/tech-support/battery-maintenance/#Charging

[ScottG]

Agree with others; they're vented and designed to be left in place when charging.
Does your buddy take his off when he's driving his car? 😉

[gypsmjim]

I would NEVER use a trickle charger, but that's another story. In the old days I would always take the caps of when on the charger, and then put them back on when it was fully charged. Charge them up and then let them sit another month off season before charging again.

Recently I had a problem with a battery that was still under warranty. The dealer said NO NO NO don't take the caps off when charging. Just for laughs I asked several other dealers. They all said the same thing.

Now if you insist on trickling, and thus keeping the acid boiling all the time, then maybe you should check weekly for fluid loss, whether you use the caps or not.

[gbopp]

When the batteries are in service they charge with the caps on.
Leave the caps installed. And, use a battey tender, not a trickle charger.

[Trackrig]

Leave them on, they're vented.

Bill

[w4phj]

Leave caps installed.