Community Forums

GaryKD · 12-20-2007, 10:37 AM

There have been posts, over time, mentioning that the above mentioned dealership used tap water to top off batteries.

I traded emails with the Director of Service for North Trail RV. North Trail RV has made the decision to use only distilled water in batteries. The change is effective immediately.

Thanks to those who posted about this topic. In this case, iRV2 members were a catalyst for change. Thanks to iRV2 for being here.

ET · 12-20-2007, 03:58 PM

With good communication positive things do happen.

RVDude · 12-20-2007, 05:12 PM

In advance..
Whew.... I am sure glad we got that one settled!

Geeze, from all the previous postings in nearly every forum you would think that putting tap water in batteries a couple times caused global warming, the sub-prime mortgage meltdown, and bubonic plague.

I'll sleep better now...

Dav5942 · 12-20-2007, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RVDude:

In advance..
Whew.... I am sure glad we got that one settled!

Geeze, from all the previous postings in nearly every forum you would think that putting tap water in batteries a couple times caused global warming, the sub-prime mortgage meltdown, and bubonic plague.

I'll sleep better now...

Exactly have used tap water in cars boats, coaches for over 50 years. No big deal!

soricobob · 12-20-2007, 06:01 PM

Massey's Diesel, a highly regarded Spartan Service Center in Pheonix, uses only tap water for topping off batteries.
If North Trail, where I bought my coach, feels it is necessary to use distilled water, I'd say it's for political/public relations reasons, but not for the good of the batteries.

Gary RVRoamer · 12-20-2007, 06:43 PM

It depends to some extent on what your tap water is like - some of it is full of minerals and salts that can cause problems and some of it wouldn't harm a battery at all.

Battery manufacturer Trojan says this:

Quote:

Do not use water with a high mineral content. Use distilled or deionized water only.

It's a safe bet to use distilled water. Tap water is a gamble.

ET · 12-20-2007, 07:39 PM

Quote:

It's a safe bet to use distilled water. Tap water is a gamble.

Very good point... why take the gamble when distilled water is available just about everywhere. Any internet search explains in detail what can happen to a battery when using tap water. $400-$600 worth of house batteries is a very good reason to follow a manufacturers recommendation.

Spikester · 12-20-2007, 09:52 PM

Atta boy Gary, give the man some Karma!

We need to let ours dealers know when they are tampering/hindering the performance of the products that we have purchased with our hard earned $$.

If you want your lead acid batteries to provide maximum service and life your best bet is to spend the $1.98 for a gallon of distilled water and use it. Industrial lead-acid cell battery manufacturers void battery warranties in a heart beat if you cannot prove by chemical analysis that you have used nothing but distilled water when adding water. Depending on the application of the lead-acid battery manufacturers can required highly distilled water. Thats why "retail" and "commercial" lead-acid battery manufactures recommend adding distilled water to their batteries.

After all if you spent $110+ for a battery whats a couple of bucks for the proper water that will ensure its peak performance.

I speak with 40+ years of Submarine lead-acid battery care and maintenance. Believe me when you are in the deep of the briny blue and the power goes out, you want to make sure your lead-acid battery is their to support you. Take good care of it and it will take good care of you! The only difference between our motorhomes and that submarine is the medium in which it operates, very simplistically of course.

Spike

Ecker · 12-21-2007, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ET:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">It's a safe bet to use distilled water. Tap water is a gamble.

Very good point... why take the gamble when distilled water is available just about everywhere. Any internet search explains in detail what can happen to a battery when using tap water. $400-$600 worth of house batteries is a very good reason to follow a manufacturers recommendation.

</div></BLOCKQUOTE>
______________________________________________
In 2003, an automotive writer challenged on his web site for anyone to provide any source on Internet that had proof of the negative effects of using drinking water. He wouldn't allow statement like "I've used it for 40 years and no problems" He wanted real research based proof. Short story - he never got any.

ajbjrvers · 12-21-2007, 02:14 AM

Distilled water vs tap water

I guess that the analysis that;

A lot of people who smoke get lung cancer and some don't. Some non-smokers get lung cancers.

If the battery manufacturer states distilled, I think it's a good idea to use it.

I know in steam irons and other products , distilled is a must

6 of one, half dozen of the other ??

Aime

ET · 12-21-2007, 02:33 AM

Quote:

In 2003, an automotive writer challenged on his web site for anyone to provide any source on Internet that had proof of the negative effects of using drinking water. He wouldn't allow statement like "I've used it for 40 years and no problems" He wanted real research based proof. Short story - he never got any.

Automotive writer and not an Engineer? Since he didn't get any proof, please post his name so we can view this short story and maybe help him out using google.

Oemtech · 12-21-2007, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Automotive writer and not an Engineer?

Just because someone has a "Engineer" moniker does not mean they are any better than a good "Shade Tree Mechanic".

Common sense tells me that impurities in the water source COULD have an effect on the electrolyte solution. Me I have a source of RO water in my coach and use that as it is "FREE".

Dav5942 · 12-21-2007, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Me I have a source of RO water in my coach and use that as it is "FREE".

Have you seen what "real RO water" does to your pumbing(that is if it has any metal)? Had it on the boat-due to no presence of anything it causes corrision much faster than normal tap water, etc(and yes it it well documented). Sorry to get off subject.

fixed quotes

Lug_Nut · 12-21-2007, 04:32 AM

Well, good for North Trail. I'm sure they were just doing what many, or most, auto industry places do. And now they have corrected it. All in all, they have a very good operation and do a good job. I would definately buy from them as I believe they are one of the better Newmar Dealers.

Peter