[Shop-talk] Battery Fluid

[Bob Spidell]

On a recent road trip (4K miles in 10 days) in my Austin-Healey 3000 I had a battery spillover problem.  I first noticed 
my arm would itch after I went to retrieve something from the boot (trunk), then saw some fluid near the battery.  When 
I got home I pulled everything--including the gas tank--out of the boot and flushed with baking soda solution to 
neutralize the acid.  I discovered the voltage regulator was overcharging and replaced it.  That problem solved.

Since I'd lost actual battery fluid--concentrated sulfuric acid--I bought some battery acid and topped-up the battery's 
cells.  This got me to thinking; usually, you top up a battery with distilled water.  This is because, presumably, 
you're just replacing the water portion of the acid that evaporates during normal charging and discharging.  I'm 
wondering if a) after topping-up with distilled water a few times would it be a good idea to top up with acid, and b) 
would it be even better to always top up with acid?

I'm thinking maybe yes to "a," but probably no to "b," since I know from my days as a chemistry student that acid 
strength depends on a proper mixture of water and the acid agent (in this case sulfur trioxide).

Thoughts?

Bob

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Bob Spidell           San Jose, CA            bspidell at comcast.net

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