Panasonic Battery

[DC Dude]

Has anyone ever checked their acid level and topped off their battery with distilled water?

 

[Jed]

Yup, it should be filled to the bottom of the vent caps. I added a bit to mine to keep it at the correct level. It's been 6 years now and it is still going strong.

 

[MikesToy]

What's the distilled water brand name?

 

[Jed]

What's the distilled water brand name?

Brand name? All distilled water is just having minerals and impurities and stuff removed. The idea is to keep the battery free of contaminants that can lead to corrosion of the plates. You can pick up a gallon of distilled water at the grocery store for cheap.

 

[MikesToy]

Hmmmmm...... I grew up where distilled water would sting you if spilled on a scar.

 

[810moto]

I don't know about being stung by water but a wasp hurts like H.e. double hockey sticks.

I have had my battery since Sept. 04, put alittle water in it every now and then, still starts right up.

 

[MikesToy]

I had my battery since new (Mar '03) and didn't pour anything in it yet.

 

[Jed]

Sounds like it might be time to pop off the caps and take a look.

 

[DC Dude]

Hmmmmm...... I grew up where distilled water would sting you if spilled on a scar.

That be hydrogen peroxide, not distilled water.

 

[MikesToy]

I'm from old skewl. I'll pop those caps up when the sun comes up.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Here's a good one with pictures: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/general-discussions/39626-06-battery.html

 

[MikesToy]

Thanks Chris. Now, what inside the battery makes the indicator look blue? Mine hasn't turned into white nor red yet.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Thanks Chris. Now, what inside the battery makes the indicator look blue? Mine hasn't turned into white nor red yet.

The white/blue function is a simple hydrometer for the specific gravity of the electrolyte. (Blue is good) The red mode is a triggered by a 'float' type mechanism within the hydrometer that trips to red when the electrolyte level is too low.

 

[MikesToy]

So i went to AutoZone and bought the real battery acid. It came in a bottle inside a box. Costs $5. I couldn't find the brand name but they said they pour this stuff inside a brand spanking new battery. The bottle label said it is an electrolyte fluid which contains sulfuric acid. So i had some safety instructions (wear gloves and eye protection). Tho my battery was still at the blue level, i fill'er up and hope my Panasonic battery would last for another 7 yrs.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Now that you've got that done take a pail of water 1/2-3/4 of a small box of baking soda mixed in. Pour it over the battery and don't be afraid of the fizzing, that's a good thing. Next pour a pail of regular water over the top. You want to neutralize and then rinse away a residue from the battery top, terminals, battery tray etc. Don't worry about splashing a little water around there. Many of us wash our engine compartment...

Hopefully you'll get that 7years you're looking for
:cheers:

 

[Jed]

So i went to AutoZone and bought the real battery acid. It came in a bottle inside a box. Costs $5. I couldn't find the brand name but they said they pour this stuff inside a brand spanking new battery. The bottle label said it is an electrolyte fluid which contains sulfuric acid. So i had some safety instructions (wear gloves and eye protection). Tho my battery was still at the blue level, i fill'er up and hope my Panasonic battery would last for another 7 yrs.

Battery acid? LOL, I think you paid $5 for a bottle of water. I've never heard of anyone selling battery acid. You only need to add water to a battery, not acid.

I'm surprised they didn't sell you some blinker fluid while they were at it!

 

[ALLEGRO]

Battery acid? LOL, I think you paid $5 for a bottle of water. I've never heard of anyone selling battery acid. You only need to add water to a battery, not acid.

I'm surprised they didn't sell you some blinker fluid while they were at it!

You can purchase just the acid. Most motorcycle batteries come with the acid in a bottle for the installer to add. Usually though, the plates give up and that is what causes a battery to die, not a lack of acid.

 

[DC Dude]

So i went to AutoZone and bought the real battery acid. It came in a bottle inside a box. Costs $5. I couldn't find the brand name but they said they pour this stuff inside a brand spanking new battery. The bottle label said it is an electrolyte fluid which contains sulfuric acid. So i had some safety instructions (wear gloves and eye protection). Tho my battery was still at the blue level, i fill'er up and hope my Panasonic battery would last for another 7 yrs.

What made you decide to add more sulfuric acid vice distilled water as recommended?

 

[4RunnerStunner]

Now that you've got that done take a pail of water 1/2-3/4 of a small box of baking soda mixed in. Pour it over the battery and don't be afraid of the fizzing, that's a good thing. Next pour a pail of regular water over the top. You want to neutralize and then rinse away a residue from the battery top, terminals, battery tray etc. Don't worry about splashing a little water around there. Many of us wash our engine compartment...

Hopefully you'll get that 7years you're looking for
:cheers:

What do you wash your engine compartment with CJ3Flyr?

 

[MikesToy]

What made you decide to add more sulfuric acid vice distilled water as recommended?

I asked the salesman at AutoZone that i need distilled water for my battery and he recommended me the real stuff. He kinda laughed that they don't put .99 cent distilled water on their new batteries.