Is this battery ruined?

[Superman51]

Had a little accident the other day and ended up with a puncture wound in the side of the battery. Didn’t notice until my cart lost its run time so I investigated and found that one of the 3 compartments was completely empty. I have charged the system several times with this part of the battery dry. First question is did I ruin the battery by doing this? Second question is if not, can I just add distilled water to it or do I need battery acid as well? Thanks in advanced for solutions.

[kab69440]

I'd replace it. If you have to pull it out to fix it anyhow...

[Volt_Ampere]

Replace it - and clean up your cart or the acid will make a mess wherever it went.

[JunkYardDog]

I've seen them fixed, but a new one would be best

[JohnnieB]

If the plates have been exposed for several days, the cell won't fully recover.
If the leak was in the bottom of the case and the entire plates were expose, little if any recovery is possible.
If the leak was on the side and some of the plate area remained cover, that plate area may still function.

Since battery acid was what leaked out, that is what should be replaced.
(During normal operation, only water is used, so only water should be replaced)

Patching the leak and filling with battery acid may improve run-time because doing so will lower internal resistance of the damaged cell, but you'll probably end up with something more akin to a 46V battery pack than a 48V battery pack.

Personally, I would replace it and I would spray the battery tray and everything else the leaking acid might have gotten on, with a baking soda solution to neutralize it.