Quick question about battery watering

[Hit it like a champ]

Ok from reading all the posts I understand that if you are planning on checking and adding water you should do it right after you charge it. My question is why? Do you really have to get it done right after the charging is done for some reason or does it just need to be fully charged meaning like its setting at 51v right now it has been on the E.R.I.C. Charger plugged in now for a couple weeks. I have heard that the water level is higher right after charging. I also know that i can hear a lot of bubbling right after a charge it sounds like a bunch of soda cans opened. Is there some kind of chemical reaction at that point that makes the distilled water better to add at that point? O and sorry it turned into a long question.

[Mooncarter]

It is my understanding that one would check and make sure the level is above the plates before charging. It is further understood the water should be at least 3/8 inch above at all times. I keep mine about 1/2 to 5/8 above and have never had problems.

And no I don't shove a tape measure in there.

[NoleFan4Ever]

And just to add, the electrolyte level rises as the battery is charged. It is at its lowest level in the cell when the battery is discharged. Its common to add water to a battery before it is charged, but only to the lowest level to cover the plates. Once the charge has completed, you will know the true electrolyte level and can then add water to the proper level. Batteries differ in the extent of this change in level, so it is difficult to make a blanket statement.

[Hit it like a champ]

Ok I made the question to long sorry. Should water be added right directly after charging or anytime after it’s fully changed.

[alchemy]

as nole said, but put another way, the level changes with charge but you also don't want to be charging a battery that is to, or below, the plates.
I'll add here, at least when you finish, if not before, you need all cells at the same level too and you don't want to be taking any back out either once in, that will mess up your batteries and make cells weaker than others.

[alchemy]

Originally Posted by Mooncarter

And no I don't shove a tape measure in there.

That literally did make me laugh out loud.
I don't like to get into how people get them all even because the ways are probably endless and people should be able to figure out their own way that works. However, if it were all plastic
I've considered making a bobber with a vertical stick rule. Battery filler bottles are made so it stops at a certain place. I just recently made a nice filler using a glass jug that seals and an end plastic fitting from the hose that sits on the opening and another piece protrudes to the level I want. The idea is the same with a filler bottle. With the right size opening, and the feed container is sealed, it will always stop when the level reaches the water outlet. You don't want a container that will flex easily either like a 2L bottle or distilled water thin plastic jug. For all the time before I just used a 1/4" poly tube siphon and watched closely til it "squints" like an eye when it hits the indicator at the base of the inlet cylinder. They are sayng that's too full now though.
See, that's what I mean, I made it seem too complicated with just 4 ideas.

[Sergio]

Charge the batteries at night and check the water in the morning, that way the batteries will no longer be gassing due to the charging process.

Use distilled water.