Community Forums

Ross G · 04-20-2008, 11:36 AM

I have two Trojan batteries for the house in my motorhome, on this last trip we were dry camping and the battery seemed to drain a bit faster then normal. I was told that perhaps my batteries need water? If so how high do I fill them and do I only use distilled water? Any help or advice would be appreciated! I am on a Ford 2007 Chasis!

Ross G · 04-20-2008, 11:36 AM

I have two Trojan batteries for the house in my motorhome, on this last trip we were dry camping and the battery seemed to drain a bit faster then normal. I was told that perhaps my batteries need water? If so how high do I fill them and do I only use distilled water? Any help or advice would be appreciated! I am on a Ford 2007 Chasis!

Richard S. · 04-20-2008, 11:59 AM

Ross,
If you follow the link attached below, it will give you all the answers you need. This is the manufactures link. http://www.trojan-battery.com/Tech-S...intenance.aspx

Mich_Camper · 04-20-2008, 12:06 PM

Ross - always use distilled water. Use long sleave rubber gloves, roll the outside to form a cuff, splash proof googles. Battery acid WILL CAUSE A CHEMICAL BURN to skin, eyes clothes etc. Have baking soda handy for spills. Just safety stuff so that you can camp for a long time..

With care and precautions, this is easy to do. Inside the battery cap there is a lower ridge with side slots. These are to let air out as you fill with the distilled water to the lower tab. DO NOT fill to the top. As the battery charges, it will create gases and the acid needs to go someplace. The gas bubbles will rise with vibration and go away.

After filling, put the tops on do a little rinse off and you should be good to go.

jerseyjim · 04-21-2008, 01:22 AM

I really don't know about this "distilled water" thing. I've been using tap water for at least 30 years...and except for one battery "giving up" (just 2 months after any warranty) I almost always get 4, sometimes 5 years before failure.

speed racer · 04-21-2008, 04:23 AM

I am a retired mech. and can count on one hand the number of times I had distilled water to put in a battery. In my opinion (and every one has one) bottled water is the next best thing. The object is to keep harsh cemicals out such as you find in well water and bottled water has been filtered good to get the calcium and other small particals out.

two2go · 04-21-2008, 12:44 PM

Does anyone use one of those central fill systems? If so, what do you think of it?

Rick 2005 Dolphin 5376 · 04-21-2008, 01:01 PM

I've looked at them but instead I use Thermoil
http://www.thermoilbatteries.com/
Never had to add water again. It's been in the batteries for over a year. Thermoil is cheaper and it works
P.S. When I was adding water on a regular basis, I used a turkey baster to do the job. Draw water from a gallon of distilled and pump it in to the battery. Simple solution for a messy job.

Fred and Bonnie · 04-21-2008, 02:30 PM

I installed the Pro-Fill system and have been very satisfied with the ease of servicing. In addition to the basic system you will need to purchase the hand pump, also sold by Pro-Fill.

Fred

Mich_Camper · 04-21-2008, 03:22 PM

Distilled water does not have the calcium / magnesium carbonates and other nasties that kill batteries and radiators. These are the white flowers that would form in radiators around the tubes. Read the Trojan and other battery sites.

Trojan Maintenance

From the Trojan Site:

<span class="ev_code_BLUE">3. Do not use water with a high mineral content. Use distilled or deionized water only.</span>

H. Dossett · 04-21-2008, 06:46 PM

I like to do things as cheaply as possible while doing them properly. I use A/C condensate drain water from the home A/C unit to top off the batteries and radiators.

TropiCal-Tex · 04-22-2008, 04:23 AM

I always use distilled water for my batteries. At about $1 for a gallon, it is cheap insurance. For filling my batteries, I found tubes that are about 1 foot long, that are attached to screw caps, and start/stop the flow with a twist of the tube (Wal-Mart for a couple of dollars each). I got several, and labeled them with a "sharpie" pen. I have one for windshield washer fluid, one for battery water etc. They screw onto the tops of most containers, and work great for pouring fluids into hard to reach places.