Starting battery question

[free_radical]

Have a one year old starting battery which works fine,
but figured it would be good idea to check electrolite level just to be sure.

The problem is,the sticker on it says ..do NOT open !

What would happen if I open it?

Its Motomaster 010 4800 8

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Yet another buzzword

At best it is a hybrid liquid battery. 1% antimony positive plates and calcium negative plates.

• No way does this battery have recombinant caps -- 0% chance
• Recombinant caps and case cost 15x as much as a standard jar
• You would not see any moisture on the lid if the battery had recombinant capabilities
• Some so-called maintenance free batteries have flat individual caps. Tear off the label and fund flat disc type filler caps with a straight screwdriver slots in the caps to be unscrewed to access the cell
• Most OEM battery warranties have such a time restriction any semblance to a real warranty is utterly useless
• IMHE calicium calcium batteries are worthless for automotive use

Remove the 'Cal Worthington And His Dog Spot', top label and see what lies beneath. How far down was the level of the electrolyte?

You lose nothing by removing the label.

[2oldman]

website says 'maintenance free design'

[fj12ryder]

Well, you can be pretty sure if you pull the caps to check the electrolyte, you no longer have a battery with a 3 year warranty. 🙂

[wa8yxm]

free radical wrote:
Have a one year old starting battery which works fine,
but figured it would be good idea to check electrolite level just to be sure.

The problem is,the sticker on it says ..do NOT open !

What would happen if I open it?

Its Motomaster 010 4800 8

"Maintenance free" batteries are not supposed to be opened. YOu are NOT supposed to add anything to them.. That is why they are called "Maintenance free" THe formal name is Valve Regulated Sealed Lead Acid by the way.

Check your car battery.. Bet it's the same

They are designed to not vent as much as a Flooded Wet. and to "Recyle" the gasses produced to some extent. You have to really abuse them to boil off the liquid. Mine lasted 9 years. I (Same as the house batteries .. well about 1-2 months less) and I've heard of some going as long as 12 years. Other than a bit of attention to the terminals every few years, and of course proper feeding (electrical charge) they do not need much attention.

[free_radical]

rk911 wrote:
i might call the mfg and ask why. i've not seen that warning before. maybe it's a "do not remove this tag under penalty of law" thing or a liability thing. open the cover, get hurt but since you ignored the warning the company can decline liability.

Could be,
Or maybe its just to prevent people from adding water and have the battery die sooner LOL

This one has 3 years warranty

I had starting bateries last about five or six years even in extreme cold here..never had to add any water..

[rk911]

i might call the mfg and ask why. i've not seen that warning before. maybe it's a "do not remove this tag under penalty of law" thing or a liability thing. open the cover, get hurt but since you ignored the warning the company can decline liability.

[Ron3rd]

free radical wrote:

Ron3rd wrote:
Personally I would not open it if it said that on the battery. Other than that I have no idea what you're talking about.

Thanks
I noticed bit of hydrogen vapor on the top from venting I guess,
so Im just concerned the acid level may be bit low..

It doesnt say maintanance free so I figured checking electrolite would be good idea.

Perhaps I misunderstood. If the battery has removable caps then by all means pop them off and check the electrolyte

[free_radical]

Ron3rd wrote:
Personally I would not open it if it said that on the battery. Other than that I have no idea what you're talking about.

Thanks
I noticed bit of hydrogen vapor on the top from venting I guess,
so Im just concerned the acid level may be bit low..

It doesnt say maintanance free so I figured checking electrolite would be good idea.

[time2roll]

Nothing will happen if you can easily open the battery caps. But don't break into it.

[Ron3rd]

Personally I would not open it if it said that on the battery. Other than that I have no idea what you're talking about.