Servicing Car Batteries

flutsy

Being cheap, don't want to go to a garage!

I have a motorhome with car and leisure batteries.

1) How can I tell what % it is working at? I hear it depleats over time.

2) How easy is it to top up the battery electrolites? I heard you use distilled water - but how safe if opening up a battery?

3) You should disconnect batteries when not using them, correct? Well how do you do this?

Sorry blonde!


Oh also forgot to ask:

Do batteries charge when the engine is on but not moving - or does the vehicle need to be move to charge batteries?

Many thanks

jackhack

How can I tell what % it is working at? I hear it depleats over time.

It does

2) How easy is it to top up the battery electrolites? I heard you use distilled water - but how safe if opening up a battery?
depends on the on the make of the battery on how easy. Best take it a local garage and ask them to look at it for you. Should not cost more than £10

3) You should disconnect batteries when not using them, correct? Well how do you do this? again depends on the fitments of the battery might be bolts, crocodile clips screws etc. A good garage will show you how when topping it up...

Sorry blonde!


Oh also forgot to ask:

Do batteries charge when the engine is on but not moving - or does the vehicle need to be move to charge batteries? 99% of batteries only need the engine to be turning to charge the battery

anewman

Aldi is currently doing a cheapie battery checker that gives an estimate of charge strength. They also have a cheap battery charger for £12 or thereabouts (shameful I can't remember exact price as I just bought one 2 hours ago.)

In general, a 12v battery should read maybe 12.5v or maybe more when fully charged. 11.5v is probably getting near fully discharged.

The alternator should charge the battery whilst the vehicle is not in motion, but not by quite so much as when in motion, but remember leaving a vehicle with the engine running is against the law. I would just remove the batteries and get them indoors where they won't freeze etc, and charge them every-so-often to keep them in good condition. Put them back in vehicle when required.

As for topping up batteries depends on the battery as jackhack says. Some are sealed for life and need no such maintenance.

Also remember a charging battery emits some sort of gas which can lead to explosions so put the battery out of the way where such an occurrence won't happen while charging.

maninthestreet

A 12v battery should about 13.2V to be considered fully charged.
For the last 25 years at least, car batteries have been sealed for life, and do not require topping up with distilled or de-ionised water. It is possible to buy 'intelligent' battery chargers that detect when the battery is fully charged, and switdh to a 'maintenance' mode, trickle charging the battery to keep it fully charged. Such a charger can be left connected to the battery for extended periods of time.

flutsy

Wow what fantastic replies. Thank you guys