filling battery

[kahjdh]

I just bought a battery online for the first time and i have to fill it with acid. Has anybody else here done it? Im just tring not to blow it up or get covered in acid.

[FabricGATOR]

Someone taught me this...

I used to make the common mistake of filling all the way before the topping charge.

Here it is:
1- safety glasses, gloves, access to rinse water etc...

2- fill each cell with electrolyte to just above the dividers (the lead layers of plates)

3- allow a wait period of about 30 minutes

4- rock battery back and forth to help "burp" any bubbles that have formed on the plates. (The object is to burb the bubbles without spilling/splashing the acid ) I rock the battery while on a table gently, allowing the corner to tap alittle. Just do it a little bit, there is no need to get all the bubbles.

5- add more electrolyte to just cover the plates again.
[NOTE} electrolyte is(sulfuric acid and distilled water)(came with the battery kit)(if purchased OnLine possibly mailed without acid because its hazardous material)(MAKE SURE TO USE THE PROPER DILUTION/SPECIFIC GRAVITY) (some motorcycles 1.265, cars 1.275, aircraft 1.285 etc...check battery instructions)

6- topping charge, again follow the manufacture instruction... charge a 6 volt battery (3 cells) at 6 volts and a 12 volt battery (6 cells) with a 12 volt charger. A slow trickle charge is better then a fast, high amperage charge. slow equals 500 MA (1/2 amp) to 1 or two amps) A fast charge is anything higher.THE BATTERY INSTRUCTIONS tell the optimal charging rate and time.

A household appliance transformer (that black plastic weight connected to a cordless phone base, a computer printer-speakers-answering machine-calculator-etc ......that plugs into the wall. The Power Supply........) can be used for a battery trickle charger. READ THE DATA PLATE 12V (something)MA is probably fine for a 12 volt (6 cell) battery/ 6V (something)MA ((milli amp)) for a 6 volt battery.

1000MA = 1 AMP

7- after charging for a few hours then disconnect charger, fill battery with the electrolyte to within the lines painted on the outside of the battery case. NEVER ADD ACID AGAIN! your battery now has its full charge of minerals and should never be service with anything but water again.

Dispose of old acid by dilution with tap water and neutralization with baking soda until it no longer fizzes.....DANGER-dont get it on you or in your eyes

8- Later in the life of the battery you may need to service the battery to bring the fluid level up. ADD WATER (prefer distilled) to the top of the plates, charge the battery, then ADD WATER to the fill mark. NEVER ADD ACID AGAIN

If you add water to the fill mark and then charge the battery it may overflow a little, that is why we charge it before topping to the fill marks. If you just want to add water and ride without charging add water only to the top of the plates where needed. Don't try to remove fluid from any cells.

[kahjdh]

Thanks alot, that was very helpful and i succeeded in not melting my hands.