Car Battery Maintenance and junk

Chanus

So, it's been about a million years since I've done this, so just want to double check and see if I remember things correctly.

You can add water to a battery to extend its life a little, right? I know where the water goes, I just don't remember things like if it needs to be filtered, or if filtered is worse.

illig

You seriously still have a battery that requires maintenance? Is this for a period correct restoration? I'm curioius...

And you shpuld only add distilled water.

Chanus

Doesn't require maintenance... just need a week before I can afford a new one, so figured I'd try to extend the life :P

Chanus

Am I getting the impression that's something that doesn't really work with newer batteries?

webguy20

Here's a complete article on battery maintenance.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/how_to_central/automotive/1272361.html?page=2

Chanus

Awesome, thanks!

I also need to clean the terminals... I popped the hood and saw this on the negative:

:P

John Matrix

Chanus wrote: »

Awesome, thanks!

I also need to clean the terminals... I popped the hood and saw this on the negative:

:P

hahahaha, that's greatness

Djeet

If you can pop open the caps to the cells you can (and periodically should) add distilled water. Do not overfill. There may be a big sticker on the topside of the battery that you need to remove to access the caps.

If it's not obvious from looking at the top of the battery that you can open the cells, then it's likely a sealed battery and don't try to open it and add anything.

wallaka

That article is pretty good.

Baking soda and water is a cheap, good terminal cleaner.

illirica

The baking soda and water thing is good. Just use a small amount of baking soda - I use about one spoonful in a large (16 oz?) glass of water. Pour it slowly over the gunk, and expect it to fizz a lot. Repeat if necessary until the terminals look pretty clean, you can dry them off with an old rag if you like. Probably best not to touch the fizzygunk, I think.

Chanus

illirica wrote: »

The baking soda and water thing is good. Just use a small amount of baking soda - I use about one spoonful in a large (16 oz?) glass of water. Pour it slowly over the gunk, and expect it to fizz a lot. Repeat if necessary until the terminals look pretty clean, you can dry them off with an old rag if you like. Probably best not to touch the fizzygunk, I think.

Oh, but the fizzygunk is so delicious! :P


Thanks for the tip.

Lord Yod

Should go without saying but wear gloves and be very careful not to splash anything on your skin or especially your eyes. Most of the time when people say this they mean 'because it will hurt a lot' but in this instance it means 'because it is acid and will sizzle and scar you for life'.

Chanus

Oh, I know... I've cleaned terminals before

Thanks, though.