Easier/better battery maintenance

[The Danes Are Coming]

Because we store our MH for extended periods at a time, I am interested in improving the maintenance of especially the house batteries. Our main problems seems to be the loss of water combined with our inability to check and refill them.

I have seen 2 products on the marked that may assist us:

1) Batteryequaliser

2) Battery-de-mister

Both products sound like a good idea and they do promise a lot, but have anyone had extended experience with either product?

["007"]

The one with oil may work but some people use mineral oil and float on top of the water to eliminate water lost and the mess with all that corrosion that comes with wet cells.

[bob109]

I'm a convert of mineral oil! During my last 5 month stay in Fl. on shore power, I added 3ozs. of oil to each cell of my Interstate House Batteries. This completely eliminated the need to constantly clean the batteries and surroundings areas of acid residue and add distilled water. Since returning home I've only run the inverter/charger one time to top the house batteries. They keep their charge over long periods (weeks on end) and and require no water top off. Sure is nice to have a spotless battery compartment

[The Danes Are Coming]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob109 I'm a convert of mineral oil!

Bob - are we talking just ordinary mineral oil or are you using an oil especially made for this purpose?

[Mr_D]

I added 4oz of mineral oil (from Wal*Marts drug section) to each cell of our Interstate U-2200's about 7 years ago. The batteries, battery tray and surrounding area are almost totally free of corrosion. Dirty, yes, corroded? No! Plus it cut way down on the amount of distilled water I had to add. In fact, our battery compartment is cleaner after 7 years than our 2000 DSDP was after 2 years.
My batteries are still the OEM's that were in the rig when delivered on June 28th 2002 and still work fine. I'm sure they're not "as good as new" but still adequate for us.

[clarkgriswold]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D I added 4oz of mineral oil (from Wal*Marts drug section) to each cell of our Interstate U-2200's about 7 years ago. The batteries, battery tray and surrounding area are almost totally free of corrosion. Dirty, yes, corroded? No! Plus it cut way down on the amount of distilled water I had to add. In fact, our battery compartment is cleaner after 7 years than our 2000 DSDP was after 2 years. My batteries are still the OEM's that were in the rig when delivered on June 28th 2002 and still work fine. I'm sure they're not "as good as new" but still adequate for us.

Can this be done to any wet battery? This is a new one on me. Any info on this on the web or forum?

[bob109]

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Danes Are Coming Bob - are we talking just ordinary mineral oil or are you using an oil especially made for this purpose?

Plain old mineral oil! The kind you can drink. It's available at any Dollar General or Wal Mart Store

[Mr_D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by clarkgriswold Can this be done to any wet battery? This is a new one on me. Any info on this on the web or forum?

AS far as I know it works on any wet cell battery. I don't know about info on the web, I do know it's been hashed over on a forum I run.

[puttin]

I give up...The image is of a 2 qt. battery filler available at Napa Auto Parts...here is the site. https://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/C...006384132&An=0

[bob109]

Quote:

Originally Posted by puttin I give up...The image is of a 2 qt. battery filler available at Napa Auto Parts...here is the site. https://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/C...006384132&An=0

One of the best items for filling battery's are liquid soap dispensers. I use a 5oz. Era squeeze container. Never a drop of liquid spilled, small enough to fit in tight spaces and they are free Have the DW save one after it's empty and mark it with a Sharppie Pen. Here's a pic of my "super duper" battery filler

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6195/...d494f1b4_z.jpg

[Tincup]

One more recommendation for mineral oil. When I was gainfully employed, I maintained AT&T remote microwave sites in New England. We put mineral oil in the starting batteries for the generator and never had a problem with corrosion and it dramatically cut down on the need to add water.

I have 8 Trojan T-105RE batteries and the first thing I did was add mineral oil.

[Harry B]

About 7 months ago I also added mineral oil with great results so far. Haven't added water yet.

The amount of mineral oil you to add seems to be 4 oz to a six volt cell and 2 ounces to a 12 volt cell. This will give you roughly the same level of mineral oil surface coverage.
This is why some people indicate to add 2 oz. and others 4 oz. of mineral oil.

Don't forget to remove either 2 oz or 4 oz of battery acid prior to adding the mineral oil.

[Mr_D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob109 Plain old mineral oil! The kind you can drink. It's available at any Dollar General or Wal Mart Store

Uhhh... You do know the "results" of drinking too much of it don't you?

[sharkie51]

I changed my batteries over to the gel type battery. They are more expensive but you never have to add water.