Ok, dont laugh...

I left my battery charger on one of my trolling batteries for WAAAAAY to long.  Lets just say that the cells were full of water when it started, and there isnt a bunch left in there.

Is the battery now crap?  Will adding distilled water to the cells even matter at this point?

If anyone has a link to a battery charger that shuts off at full charge, I would greatly appreciate it.     :-[

Thanks

Wayne

8-)That sounds like something a Pennsylvania guy would do.  8-)

If the plates are still covered just add distilled water.  If the plates are dry then the battery may be toast.  It won't cost much money to put water in and try to recharge.

I bought one of these Vector brand automatic/smart battery chargers last year and have been very pleased with their performance. I recommend them. I have the 2/10/30 (with 80 amp starting) model.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/VECTOR-SMART-12-VOLT-BATTERY-CHARGER-SYSTEMS/GP_2006100_N_111+10201+600000922_10101.jcw

Cover the plates with distilled water you can buy anywhere (like a Walgreens or CVS) and give it a charge and see what happens. Good luck.  

8-)That sounds like something a Pennsylvania guy would do. 8-)

I resemble that last remark ;D

I did this once and it really messed up the plates inside. The battery indicator would say full charge ,yet the battery ran down very fast, I had to get a new one

 I have been using the wAL mART EVERSTART group 27, keeps me on Mauch Chunk for 12 hours , no problem!

Speedbead this is the one I got it's cheap and I've left it on my batteries for a month (forgot about it) and nothing happened to it. After it was done charging it went into trickle charging mode

http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay_10551_10001_36433_-1______14297%7C14299%7C14301%7C14303%7C36433?listingPage=true&Special=false

hopefully it don't happen again  

I have a similar Ship N Shore charger and leave it pluged in 24/7.  3 phases of charge: bulk, top off, float.  it will stay in float indefinetly and keep the battery as full as posible.

Hey Wayne,

 I used to work in the battery repair industry for forklifts. That was a long make that long long time ago and I am by no means an expert on batteries.

 

  The battery might need more than water. I'm not sure of the ratio but it is a combination of acid and water. If you boiled out most you boiled out acid as well as water. I'd check with a decent auto parts store and see what they have to say.

 good luck,

FFI - AKA Matt Crum

Minnkota makes a fluid that you can add to batteries that they SAY will bring them back to life. I saw it yesterday at a Academy store and it was located with the TM parts. Have never used it and do not know anyone that has. Might be worth researching though. I am not far from the store so I could get you the name if you like.

Best I remember you add a 1/4 oz to each cell. Price was around 12.00.

Again, have never used this product.

Add water, charge , take to local parts place an have the battery tested. It should be fine....... I think..

memo

I bought some distilled water and will be following the suggestions on here.

Thanks for all the replies!!

I did that once too to a Stowaway that I had a while back. It doesn't sound like it went as dry as what yours did though. I filled mine up with distilled water and that got me through the majority of that year. Picked up a new battery the following year. Good luck!!!!

http://store.schumachermart.com/sc-1000a.html

You can go to Wall Mart or Sears and pick up the same charger for about the same money also.

Wayne,

I think everyone has killed a battery or two at some point!

There are literally hundreds of chargers that switch to maintenance mode when charged. I think all the onboard chargers are that way now. I leave my boat plugged in 24/7/365 when it's not on the water. Have been doing it this way since I bought this particular boat in '94. Never a problem.

**One thing I do these days is buy battery acid (electrolyte) from the auto parts store... instead of water I top them off when needed with the acid. It's only a couple dollars for about 1/2 gallon... since I started using it I am getting longer and stronger battery life.  

Hey 2 questions

Do you use a funnel?

How do you know when they cells are full? I usually stop when it just is barely overflowing ahen I have to rinse the battery, I have ruined a lot of tshirts and shorts because of this!

Hey 2 questions

Do you use a funnel?

How do you know when they cells are full? I usually stop when it just is barely overflowing ahen I have to rinse the battery, I have ruined a lot of tshirts and shorts because of this!

I am sure you have ruined the rear end of your shorts on numerous occasions.... ;D

Muddy,

If you are overflowing them then my understanding is that you are filling them to full.  I've read you are supposed to fill them to the bottom of the vent holes.  I believe that is to the bottom of the plastic insert.

Hey 2 questions

Do you use a funnel?

How do you know when they cells are full? I usually stop when it just is barely overflowing ahen I have to rinse the battery, I have ruined a lot of tshirts and shorts because of this!

Some guys ought to stick with cooking...

8-)

I had the same problem pretty much a few days ago and the help I recieved proved very helpful, here is the link;

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1230363573/0#0

I hope it works for you as well as it did for me.

Hey 2 questions

Do you use a funnel?

How do you know when they cells are full? I usually stop when it just is barely overflowing ahen I have to rinse the battery, I have ruined a lot of tshirts and shorts because of this!

Some guys ought to stick with cooking...

8-)

Ya got a point there Kent

HOW DO YOU TELL IF THE CELL HAS ENOUGH WATER IN IT? You can't see the cell, so how do you know until it's leaking over the top?

I took a flas light and shined it into the cell. That is how I was able to fill them correctly. Also another way to do that without using a light is take a pencil and stick it into the cell and rest it on the plates. Once the acid/water get 1/4" on the pencil then you have added enough.

Thank you so much, I like the pencil idea! Wow, I have ruined a lot of denim shorts because of the acid on the battery !

HAHAHAHAHA ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Thank you so much, I like the pencil idea! Wow, I have ruined a lot of denim shorts because of the acid on the battery !

Amen Brother. I look like I live in a house full of moths.Made that mistake many times recently and I won't even talk about the condition of the carpet in my car or the seat :-/