Two-parter question here:

 

Just purchased this battery from Advance Auto Parts, fully expecting it to be a battery I'd have to maintain (i.e. top water off, trickle charge, etc.), but the guy at the store said he'd never put distilled water in his battery ever, and that this battery should be totally maintenance free! I find this hard to believe, as it looks like a lot of the lead-acid batteries I've seen where you need to top off water occasionally, but there's literally nothing on the battery to give me guidance here. What should I do, and how should I maintain this battery?

 

Also, assuming it is a battery I need to maintain, any tips on how I should go about it? From what I've gathered, the basics are; keep the battery on the smart charger pretty much at all times if you're not using it, only fill up the water until it covers the plates if the battery is discharged, then fill it up all the way once it's fully charged, and that's all.

 

This is the battery:

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/autocraft-marine-pro-battery-group-size-29hm-675-cca-29hm/10312646-p?product_channel=local&store=7773&adtype=pla&product_channel=local&store_code=7773&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0ZL2qdu76QIVEJSzCh3QPAPbEAQYAiABEgLPn_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

This is the charger:

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/schumacher-15a-6v-12v-fully-automatic-battery-charger-sc1304/11824422-P?searchTerm=schumacher

In the Q & A section of the link you supplied,

 Seems your question was asked & answered.

A-Jay

 

@A-Jay I saw that too! I guess that employee who gave me that messed up info is gonna be needing a new battery for himself soon...

 

 

When in doubt read the side of the battery "Deep Cycle"

Do what you said and use distilled water and don't overfill them. A gallon is less than a buck at the local grocer.

 

Fwiw, I bought 3 Group 31 Walmart Maxx batteries early in 2014. I used them for over 3 years and still have two that get fairly light use. They have never required watering.

Almost 3 years ago I bought 2 Group 31 Duracell Ultra batteries that have had pretty heavy use and it seems like they frequently need a little water. 

So who knows. I use the same 3 Schumacher chargers on everything, so it must be the batteries. Beats me.

The more a battery is on a charger,  being recharged up, the more likely it will need a little fluid. From what I understand. I'm not sure if it's the same for a charger "maintaining" a fully charged battery while not in use. I've always charged the trolling motor battery(s) and checked it within 24hrs or so. If it's fully charged at that time I'll pull the charger.

 

What do you think guys? Is that correct? 

I've always unplugged the chargers when the charged light came on. During the winter I charge the batteries every month or so.

 

I started working with computers in 1985 and like them, but I don't trust them.     I don't care about ruining the batteries, I don't want to burn the garage down.

@Johnbt I also don't want my house to explode haha, so I'll probably charge whenever necessary, and once a month in the off season.

 

Also, I've got an RODI filtration system that I use for my saltwater tank, and that water's something like 99% pure so I think I'll use that.

I have two boats, 4 ATVs and two lawn tractors. They are on full time battery chargers or Battery Minders all the time. I do use maintenance free batteries on the lawn tractors because I get them cheap. I cannot check or ad water to the lawn tractor batteries. 

 

The rest are standard batteries that take water.  The batteries that take water are replenished with water as needed and they frequently need water because they are on charge full time.   

 

The battery you bought appears to have caps meaning it is not maintenance free. In that case you will need to add water as needed. 

When you charge a wet cell deep cycle marine battery the water turns into a acid electrolyte, the activation process creates heat and gasses need to escape through the vented caps. You need to check the fluid level after each charging cycle to insure the plates are covered with fluid. If the plates contact air they oxide immediately, the oxides short out the plates killing the battery. Make sure your boats compartment cover is open with good air circulation when charging your wet cell battery.

Back in the dark ages before AGM's I use Flow-Rite Qwick Fill watering system to keep my Trogan 225's maintained, worked good.

AGM maintenance free deep cycle marine batteries are easy to use no mess or maintence other then keeping connections tight.

Tom

PS, use distilled water to eliminate mineral build up on the plates.

 

@WRB thanks! Two things, is RODI water a proper substitute for distilled, and is charging next to an open window in the garage proper enough ventilation?

2 minutes ago, oysterk said:

@WRB thanks! Two things, is RODI water a proper substitute for distilled, and is charging next to an open window in the garage proper enough ventilation?

Yes and yes.

What type of charger? 10 amp with auto shut off feature?

Tom

@WRB Smart charger, adjustable settings but from what I gathered I believe it ramps down the power of the charge until it's full, then goes to a 3A trickle charge

 

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/schumacher-15a-6v-12v-fully-automatic-battery-charger-sc1304/11824422-P?searchTerm=schumacher