[Mike 108]

My 75 amp leisure battery which I’d had for 18 months (which used to last for 2-3 days) started going ‘flat’ after 2-3 hours – so I went and bought another!

Just about to take it to the tip/recycling centre, when I noticed a label on the top face, next to a small plastic ‘viewing window/battery condition indicator’.

It said - Green: fully charged;  Black: discharged;  White: LOW FLUID LEVEL.

 I unscrewed the caps to each cell and there was no water in any of them.

After filling them up, and recharging, the battery is working perfectly again!

Next time, I’ll get a ‘maintenance-free’ one – if I ever need another!.

[Window Washers]

My 75 amp leisure battery which I’d had for 18 months (which used to last for 2-3 days) started going ‘flat’ after 2-3 hours – so I went and bought another!

Just about to take it to the tip/recycling centre, when I noticed a label on the top face, next to a small plastic ‘viewing window/battery condition indicator’.

It said - Green: fully charged;  Black: discharged;  White: LOW FLUID LEVEL.

 I unscrewed the caps to each cell and there was no water in any of them.

After filling them up, and recharging, the battery is working perfectly again!

Next time, I’ll get a ‘maintenance-free’ one – if I ever need another!.

Have you used that battery since ? I did this and was never the same then died soon nafter

[Mike 108]

Yes, I've used it twice - each for 2 day spells (I always put it 'on charge' after 2 days work)

[DaveG]

I always charge my battery (85a) every night..paranoid that its going to go flat half way through the day!( prob doing more harm than good tho?)

[chris@c.m.s]

Best advice I've read on here Re Batteries was from Dave about running from the van battery, must be a couple of months now without any problems and guess what I'm now free of back pain as well.
Thanks Dave st ives.  

[matt]

My 75 amp leisure battery which I’d had for 18 months (which used to last for 2-3 days) started going ‘flat’ after 2-3 hours – so I went and bought another!

Just about to take it to the tip/recycling centre, when I noticed a label on the top face, next to a small plastic ‘viewing window/battery condition indicator’.

It said - Green: fully charged;  Black: discharged;  White: LOW FLUID LEVEL.

 I unscrewed the caps to each cell and there was no water in any of them.

After filling them up, and recharging, the battery is working perfectly again!

Next time, I’ll get a ‘maintenance-free’ one – if I ever need another!.

i allways look for the type that can be topped up, they last longer

[AuRavelling79]

My 75 amp leisure battery which I’d had for 18 months (which used to last for 2-3 days) started going ‘flat’ after 2-3 hours – so I went and bought another!

Just about to take it to the tip/recycling centre, when I noticed a label on the top face, next to a small plastic ‘viewing window/battery condition indicator’.

It said - Green: fully charged;  Black: discharged;  White: LOW FLUID LEVEL.

 I unscrewed the caps to each cell and there was no water in any of them.

After filling them up, and recharging, the battery is working perfectly again!

Next time, I’ll get a ‘maintenance-free’ one – if I ever need another!.

i allways look for the type that can be topped up, they last longer

I suppose you can use 000TDS water for that?

[Window Washers]

My 75 amp leisure battery which I’d had for 18 months (which used to last for 2-3 days) started going ‘flat’ after 2-3 hours – so I went and bought another!

Just about to take it to the tip/recycling centre, when I noticed a label on the top face, next to a small plastic ‘viewing window/battery condition indicator’.

It said - Green: fully charged;  Black: discharged;  White: LOW FLUID LEVEL.

 I unscrewed the caps to each cell and there was no water in any of them.

After filling them up, and recharging, the battery is working perfectly again!

Next time, I’ll get a ‘maintenance-free’ one – if I ever need another!.

i allways look for the type that can be topped up, they last longer

I suppose you can use 000TDS water for that?

that could well have killed one of my battery, held some charge then topped it up with van water and it would not recharge 

[Mike 108]

Malc/Window washers.

That's what I used!  000 TDS straight from the van.  I just assumed that it was the same as distilled water.

I can't see that it could do any harm.

Mike

[scud]

  You are fine to use pure water to top up a battery, it is essentially what is used anyway.

  A friend of mine sells 50 litres a fortnight to one of his commercial customers for their electric forktrucks.

  What kills a battery is letting it run dry, that allows the plates to overheat when charging, they then warp and will not hold charge properly.

[jeff1]

I always charge my battery (85a) every night..paranoid that its going to go flat half way through the day!( prob doing more harm than good tho?)

your doing the correct thing and your battery wll last you 

[wizard]

A trick I learned with a top up battry when they stop lasting there charge I empty there acid out by turning up side down  and refill with battery acid and top with distelledwater and charge.If the plates are not bent by over charging with low water leavel then I get a new lease of life in them.