Add acid to batteries?

VintageRider

My old batteries need some attention. I purchased a hydrometer and have discovered that the specific gravity on some of my cells do not even register. Is it possible to add acid or electrolytes to the mix to get a reading and possibly a little bit more life out of these batteries?

BGW

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erict

Use distilled water only.

VintageRider

They have boiled over a few times. My old 1972 Lester charger does not(in my opinion) detect the state of the charge on the batteries. Plus the timer is broken, so it pumps the full charge on the batteries round the clock. I try to control how long they charge, but things happen and I either forget or can’t get to them in time. That is why I was wondering about the acid. If they boiled over wont that make them lose a bit of acid?

scottyb

You could try, but adding acid is not going to fix the real problems here.
1st off fix your charger. This is what's hurting your batteries the most right now. Chargers that are 'hot wired' or jumpered, charge only at the highest bulk rate, not the proper phasing of progressively reduced amperage as these batteries require.
I'm afraid the damage is done to this pack. But fix the charger and maintain proper water and charge levels and you may see an improvement.

VintageRider

Okay,I have a Power Wise charger that was made for an ez-go. I wired a new end on it to fit my Melex. Now I suppose its time to get a full charge, test specific gravity and add some acid to counter the boil overs I had from the older charger. Any words of wisdom? I have no idea whether I should add an ounce, or 5 ounces. Of course I'm going to start with just a little bit, but adding to little and charging could take a long time to achieve the desired level I bet. Any advice would help.

scottyb

I have forgotten what the original 'charge' was you can add a few ounces and see.
It is sold as a pkg for 6 or 12 v so you can split up what you get by 3 cells.
Adding electrolyte (acid) is not going to make your batteries rejuvenate if they are sulfated.

You can experiment here but don't be terribly disappointed if the new 'acid' fails to breath new life into otherwise old lead plates.

Typically a battery should never need new electrolyte unless like you said, the electrolyte has been forced out under heavy gassing, which in itself is hard on a battery..
Keep us posted on this.

VintageRider

I gave the batteries a good charge, and checked thier specific gravity with a hydrometer. I found 3 cells, each on a different battery, that were bad. I also cleaned the batteries and every terminal. I suppose sometime this week I'll try and rejuvenate those 3 cells and see what happens. I’ve also heard you can dump the battery fluid out and start over with distilled water and Epsom salts?!? Either way I'm going to give this a full and honest chance, considering the cost of new batteries who wouldn’t? On a side note is seems my batteries are discharging as the cart sites idle. I place it in neutral and turn the key off but I still think it is losing charge. The charger comes on randomly throughout the day. Is it possible to have a battery disconnect for a 36v system?

rib33024

This will save you some time, and money,



http://www.buggiesgonewild.com/elect...batteries.html

erict

That is normal on any cart.