Can I safely remove water from batteries?

[Machetero]

2016 CC Precedent Electric

I thought I overfilled my batteries so I removed water from each with a turkey baster.

Turns out I removed too much water and had refill again a few days later.

Did I ruin the batteries? Will they recover the necessary acid dilution?

Thanks.


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[Volt_Ampere]

Not a smart move. But I doubt you removed enough acid to ruin the battery.

[AZgolfcartguy]

Originally Posted by Machetero

Did I ruin the batteries? Will they recover the necessary acid dilution?

Probably not, but no.

As water naturally evaporates from the batteries the electrolyte portion of the solution is left behind, like evaporating salt water leaves behind sea salt. Anytime you have a boil over or otherwise remove liquid from the cells you are removing a portion of the electrolyte solution diluted in that liquid which the batteries need to work properly. What's gone is gone.

If you had just filled the batteries before removing the water the largest concentration of the electrolyte content will be below the top of the water, just like slow pouring the final ingredient in a cocktail. Maybe you lucked out and most of what you removed was just water. As long as you didn't remove a crazy amount, like below the plates, the batteries will still work, but they'll never work at 100% again. In all likelihood you probably won't even notice a difference.

Keep using them and if there's an issue you'll know soon enough.

[Machetero]

Dumb move on my part. Live and learn. Thanks guys.

Suppose there’s nothing I can do to repair the batteries?


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[ThreeCW]

If you kept the "acid water" that you removed, you can use that to fill your batteries the next time you need to add "water". That would restore the acid your removed from those cells.

If not, I agree with Volt-Ampere that you likely will not see any change in battery performance by doing this once.

[Bama Brad]

I don't that the amount you removed will make any noticeable difference, I wouldn't worry anymore. But do read the "stickies" to learn as much as you can about battery care.

[Volt_Ampere]

If you have not learned this already, you never add water to batteries except when they are fully charged. The level rises during charging.

[Todd D]

Always fill batteries after a full charge. What happens if you water them before you charge is once they are filled and you start charging them the acid is being released from the lead plates and when that happens the electrolyte level rises and you get boil over. Granted there is a very low portion of acid boiling out. But If you do that a few times the batteries become junk.

[Machetero]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the advice.


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[Bama Brad]

Read "stickies", best investment you can make for your cart......