Community Forums

lundy · 01-06-2006, 05:53 AM

Other than finding that you have a damaged battery due to no water, what is the best way to check that each battery is getting sufficient water from the auto fill system? How can you tell if you have the proper fill caps? I have read that many have had the problem for a couple of years and I am wondering if my '06 has the problem solved.

lundy · 01-06-2006, 05:53 AM

Other than finding that you have a damaged battery due to no water, what is the best way to check that each battery is getting sufficient water from the auto fill system? How can you tell if you have the proper fill caps? I have read that many have had the problem for a couple of years and I am wondering if my '06 has the problem solved.

Wayne R · 01-06-2006, 06:12 AM

Lundy,

This is a quote from Engineermike.

"You need to check the floats. Flip open the cap @ top & use a skinny probe like a coat hanger to push on the white button; that is the float indicator & should be fully up but depressable like against buoyancy pressure when cell is full.

There should be 1/8-1/4" from full up position to bottoming out. If it is up, but cell not full, you have ESP (error some place) w/the float."

On mine after I got the proper floats installed some of the floats would bob up and down slightly when I added water.

AccessoriesCtrMike · 01-06-2006, 01:52 PM

Not to be a wise-guy, but the BEST way to check your batteries is to replace them with AGM's. No water, no muss, no fuss...install 'em and forget 'em!

hf · 01-08-2006, 05:50 PM

Lundy, keep close eye on those batteries there is discusion this forum AUG 1 and APR 23 on this I have 04 with correct floats(now) and fill system still does not work properly and I have talked to other 04 nowners and NONE of them trust that fill system for some reason it does not work. not sure what year you have but 04 and05 seem to have bigtrouble with the system

Wayne R · 01-09-2006, 05:26 AM

HF,
What problems are you having? Mine seems to work good now that the correct floats have been installed.

hf · 02-01-2006, 05:19 PM

wAYNE , sorry took so long to answer was at DRR in QUARTSITE. the little white "button" does not depress it seems to be stuck in up position giving false reading of water level, Harry

Wayne R · 02-02-2006, 06:42 AM

Sorry I missed you at Q. If the white button is stuck up, that would make me suspect you still have floats that are too long.

EngineerMike · 02-02-2006, 09:17 AM

hf- That's the classic condition for wrong float. The offset of the "wrong" float from bottom of float to top of plates may be incorrect, i.e. the two are touching. The correct float leaves a gap w/the spring effect evident as discussed above when the cell is full.
IIWY, I'd pull a float & measure its insertable length (this has sulfuric acid on it, so all caveats of acid handling apply). Then cut a piece of plastic to insert into the cell to mark & measure from top of battery to top of plate (call it headspace). If the insertable float length is = or more than the headspace, then the float will bottom out on plates & keep the cap from working and you need the correct floats. Your headspace measurement will help in identifying the proper float when you call WRV or your supplier if you bought the system aftermarket.

VAGABONDMAN · 02-02-2006, 09:47 AM

I HAD THE WRONG FLOATS IN MY '03 - RECENTLY REPLACED BY WRV. THE NEW FLOATS HAVE CLEAR PLASTIC CAPS OVER THE WHITE FLOAT LEVEL INDICATOR, SO YO CAN'T PUSH ON THEM TO SEE IF THE FLOAT MOVES. I THINK EM'S SUGGESTION WORKS WAY BETTER THAN OTHER GUESS WORK METHODS.

EngineerMike · 02-02-2006, 12:36 PM

Frank- You may have the same caps as mine; the top flips up like a ketchup squeeze bottle top to allow pushing on the white float indicator.

Snuggery · 02-08-2006, 06:24 AM

I had my floats replaced with the shorter ones which WRV sent for my 2005 Alpine. I am still not convinced that the water refill system is working correctly. Some of the cells don't look completely full - the white indicator is not completely UP. When I push the button to start the water pump, the white indicators seem to bob up and down, but it is not clear that water is getting into the cells since the water level in the reservoir doesn't move much.