Dangit. Did I hurt my batteries?

Silverstreak

My batteries are only 1 year old........new Trojans. I had been very good about checking the fluid levels on them, but I guess time got away from me this summer. They never needed any fluid before. Well, today I checked them and probably 3-4 of the 6 batteries had the tops of their plates exposed.
I immediately filled them and apologized to them like crazy.

I have been charging them every night and the charge never gets low. The batteries don't appear to have any fluid that overflowed. Did I give them a "terminal" disease? I'm so mad at myself.

Have I shortened their lifespan? Anything I can do to make it up to them, besides change my irresponsibility? I don't deserve my cart.

BGW

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kernal

After living with these things for almost 13 years I've learned that batteries are tricky like that. You check them for months and they never need water and as soon as you skip a month BAM! they're down a quart or more. It's like they know when your not paying attention! I have to check them at least once a month no matter what---more in the summer.

Hard to tell if any damage occurred. I suppose it will depend on how much of the plates were exposed and for how long. I have done the exact same thing and I don't think it hurt the battery longevity, at least not much. The worst I ever got out of a set of Trojans was a set of 605s that lasted exactly 6 years before they no longer would meet my requirements. ( they need to run 20 miles on no more than 50% SOC or I get range anxiety and swap them)

Mmmmmm think I'll go check mine right now

Silverstreak

Thanks kernal. I think you're right about them knowing when to pull a fast one on us. haha
We had a drought this summer. I wonder if the extremely dry air would have evaporated it faster?
Well, I've learned my lesson. I'll just have to sweet talk them even more now.
thanks for your reply!

JohnnieB

Yes, you hurt your batteries. The question is how much?
Hopefully not much, but only time will tell.

What you have encountered is called "Resistentialism", which is defined as "Seemingly spiteful behavior manifested by inanimate objects."

Fortunately deep cycle lead acid wet cells have been known to respond with a positive and forgiving attitude when a Black Cat is fed mushrooms grown on a tree stump that a politician has spoken from, during a Waning Gibbous moon on All Hallows' Eve.

Kidding aside, in addition to checking the electrolyte level every month, toss a $10 in a mason jar.
That way you'll have the money for a new set when it is time to replace them. Or at least a good down payment.

Silverstreak

LOL.......thanks JohnnieB.

simple man

Since the tree stump the politician was standing on probably got some bovine fecal matter deposited on it and the mushrooms grew out of that, you will have a very happy kitty so your batteries will be fine!

Gonkulor

Oh crap, That sucks. I'm going to go outside now and plug my charger in and check the batteries. It appears that black cat could visit at anytime to anyone, even if they think it won't.