Did I make a big mistake with battery water?

[DuPont Spinner]

This afternoon I topped off each battery cell with regular tap water. How bad off am I? The battery is relatively new and this is the first time it needed tipping off. The water level in each cell was 1/4 to 1/2 inch low. It's been holding a good charge all winter, with an occasional 1/2 hour charge to keep it fully charged. Any advise? DuPont.

 

[Old Jarhead]

Re: Did I make a big mistake with battery water?

Don't sweat it...<br /><br />I'm sure I'll be trounced for this but I've never used anything other than water from the tap to top off batteries.<br /><br />Been doing it since I was a kid (55 now) and never had a problem (at least that I knew of) See no reason to change now...

 

[fireship1]

Re: Did I make a big mistake with battery water?

Hello, I have been doing the same...for years now. I never had a problem either. I have had batteries last for many years, and I never filled them with anything but tap water. Unless you live in an area that has the worst water quality (minerals and such) I believe the battery will die of natural causes long before the tap water kills it!

 

[ThomWV]

Re: Did I make a big mistake with battery water?

Distilled water is prefered but I'll tell you my rule of thumb for this one. If its clean enough to drink its clean enough to put in your battery. I suspect that clorine isn't doing things much good but I also suspect that it is the first thing to vent out when the battery warms.<br /><br />Thom

 

[crab bait]

Re: Did I make a big mistake with battery water?

that's all easy for you's to say..<br /><br />YOU AIN'T NEVER HAD DELAWARE WATER.. ..<br /><br />use that stuff an the cells will short out bettween cells...

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Did I make a big mistake with battery water?

Distilled water only! … but if needed, any clean water (tap or bottled) is better than no water.

 

[ZmOz]

Re: Did I make a big mistake with battery water?

Those of you using tap water might get good life out of your batteries, but they would last longer if you would have used distilled. Being "dirty" isn't a problem. It's the minerals in the water that are bad for the batteries. It's the same reason you should use distilled water in the cooling system of your car. Just filling it once with tap water won't hurt much, but I wouldn't make a habbit of it.