BajaNomad - battery report...

battery report...

Bob and Susan - 8-31-2010 at 09:17 AM

this is the week we check the batteries

they took 3 1/4 gallons of distilled water

the HOT weather really "burns" acid

looks like i'll need to get more distilled water
the next trip to walmart

they don't sell it here in mulege :light:

my "stockpile" is down to 6 gallons

Trueheart - 8-31-2010 at 09:24 AM

I've never seen this many batteries in one locale. How many? How many panels up top?

Pompano - 8-31-2010 at 09:27 AM

"They don't sell it here in Mulege"

Bob...wrongo!

You can get distilled water from Saul Davis. Just have him or Saul, Jr. put it on the next truck coming south.

I buy mine in 3 gallon containers and always have 4 on hand.

[Edited on 8-31-2010 by Pompano]

Mexicorn - 8-31-2010 at 09:28 AM

Smart and Final

maspacifico - 8-31-2010 at 09:33 AM

Impressive! Logistics keep you from getting bigger ones?

monoloco - 8-31-2010 at 11:15 AM

Have you ever tried the combiner caps?

Trueheart - 8-31-2010 at 11:18 AM

Pompano:

Yep, Saul is most accommodating. If he doesn't have what you want, he will find a way to get it for you.

Steve

Bob and Susan - 8-31-2010 at 11:36 AM

yea saul's can get distilled water
but he doesn't carry it
he'll order anything you want
great guy

no store in mulege carries distilled water
ALL the time

what i've seen is the combiner caps
put a layer of gassius (sp) mist over the top of the batteries and
corode them faster

they let a surface charge loose
on top of the batteries and
the batteries act weird when it's hot

it's actually better not to use them

El Camote - 8-31-2010 at 12:26 PM

I've always heard R.O. water will work as well as Distilled.

Bob and Susan - 8-31-2010 at 12:32 PM

mexray "the battery guy" pointed out that reverse osmois
water will still have minerals in it :wow:

these minerals can "attach" to the plates

my "RO" water bottles need to be
"cleaned" all the time from "those" minerals

distilled water doesn't have minerals

since we're in it for the "long run" we're not taking ANY chances :light:

snowcat5 - 8-31-2010 at 03:35 PM

Hi, I've been making my own distilled water for years and putting it in my batteries with no problemos. Just boil clean, fresh water for 30 minutes or more, cool off, pour/use all but the last 1/2" of water from the pan (that's where the minerals are). :cool:

Baja&Back - 8-31-2010 at 03:51 PM

Hey, Bob. Have you ever heard of putting a half teaspoon of pure mineral oil in each battery cell? Cuts down evaporation to almost nothing by forming a thin layer on top of the water. No effect by the acid if you use 100% PURE MINERAL oil.

I have used it for years. Never had to add water, even when batteries gassing off. Great for anyone with RV batteries.

With that enormous bank of batteries, you, if anyone, need to do this!

Hope this helps.

[Edited on 8-31-2010 by Baja&Back]

landyacht318 - 8-31-2010 at 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by snowcat5
Hi, I've been making my own distilled water for years and putting it in my batteries with no problemos. Just boil clean, fresh water for 30 minutes or more, cool off, pour/use all but the last 1/2" of water from the pan (that's where the minerals are). :cool:

Boiled water is not distilled water.

Glad your method has worked for you, but collecting evaporated steam(distilled) is a far cry from boiled water.

Once could argue boiling water merely concentrates the minerals.

comitan - 8-31-2010 at 04:21 PM

Can someone tell me about the water that the Air Conditioners make is it the same as distilled?

BajaBlanca - 8-31-2010 at 04:36 PM

we need some scientists to explain all this talk about waters.

Bob and Susan - 8-31-2010 at 06:50 PM

i'm checking on putting in ...
"100% PURE MINERAL oil"

alot of people put it in the toilet when they leave a house vacant

we'll see...

ac's make distilled water but...
it's contaminated as soon as it touches that dirty metal

Pompano - 8-31-2010 at 06:55 PM

Saul always had distilled water on hand.

Unless some hog bought it all? :lol:

[Edited on 9-1-2010 by Pompano]

Mexray - 8-31-2010 at 07:23 PM

Bob, I wouldn't put mineral oil in your battery cells - you can't use a hydrometer to check cell status, etc, as the oil gums up the float making readings inaccurate...not a good idea!

There was a battery company selling batteries that they called 'Oil filled Batteries' for several years in the 90's...they didn't make it! They used a layer of hyd oil and tried to sell on the theory that the oil would keep the electrolyte from evaporating - not so, as during charging, the hydrogen gas still bubbles through the oil, allowing some water vapor to escape as well - the 'theory' sounded good, but they never were able to make that 'theory' stick with the market...

If you ever want to use a hydrometer - DON"T add oil to the battery cells!!!!

You could buy a small, electrical Still and make you own distilled water - My dad had one and it was about the size of a toaster - a round domed affair make of finned alum to condense the water vapor inside the unit - worked for making brandy as well, but that's another story...

Ray

bajalou - 8-31-2010 at 09:47 PM

You can make a solar still for distilled water. I've seen the plans online several places. Try a search for it. this gives you the distilled water at no cost but the water.

vivaloha - 8-31-2010 at 10:01 PM

forget the solar stuff - too much drama and hassle-
candles are much more romantic and very 18th century...
headlamps for the technical stuff...
baja's a daytime kind of place...

but good luck with the solar stuff...

don't know much about dem battrays...

DavidT - 8-31-2010 at 10:22 PM

Teach the neighbor kids. Then hire them to maintain your system.

Bob and Susan - 9-1-2010 at 04:56 AM

thank you mexray!!!
i was going to send you an email :light:

i tought the hydrometer would have problems
with the oil but who knows

i haven't heard of anyone here using oil in their stationary batteries
but they are getting rid of the "water saver caps"

i'd HATE to ruin those $700 batteries

right now...
keeping the batteries fully charged and
only checking the water once a month
works

we sure are "addicted" to electricty :biggrin:

monoloco - 9-1-2010 at 06:20 AM

A friend of mine in Punta Chivato has set his up with an automatic watering system.

Pompano - 9-1-2010 at 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by monoloco
A friend of mine in Punta Chivato has set his up with an automatic watering system.

I do, too. His name is Adrian.