Re: 12V RV battery repair

On Tue, 03 Jul 2007 10:38:04 -0700, gunderhill@xxxxxxxxx wrote:

My 12v deep cycle/marin RV batteries tipped over and leaked. Can the
batteries be repaired/re-used and charged up again, or do I need to
pop the caps off somehow, add water/acid or something to replace the
leaked acid prior to putting back in service.

"Pop the caps off somehow?" This a "sealed lead acid battery?" In
theory they don't leak even when upside down - or so the hype says.
Doubtless there's some mechanism to vent a case under pressure since
venting is likely to be less likely to create a lawsuit than bursting.

They (regular liquid electrolyte cells) don't "have" to be replaced
simply because you lost a little acid. You do need to add dilute
sulphuric acid to replace what was lost (or if it was an insignificant
amount like 3-4 ounces in a large battery just top off with distilled
or de ionized water.

An old fashioned garage will have a "box" of the correct strength acid
and will likely do it for little or nothing. My local farmer's supply
place sells the whole gallon bag for $4. I've gone both routes - to
fill dry shipped motorcycle batteries.

Now, if the batteries tipped over last season and you haven't done
anything since, a loss of acid is probably the least of your worries.

Dilute sulphuric is dangerous - keep away from metals use only
polyethylene or glass or rubber to handle it. Wear safety glasses.

Concentrated sulphuric is viscous and oily yellow in appearance - and
goes through skin like it isn't there - the so called dilute stuff is
still very dangerous - treat it with respect.
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