dual batts??
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
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dual batts??
i have a 2005 25- sd 6.0 with the dual batts...the passenger side batt has a little leakage from the covers. is it ok to fill with tap water to get the leavel up if it is low. would this low leavel be the cause for it not starting today the temps are in the 40s not cold yet???
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
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From: Stephensville WI
No, it's never OK to fill a battery with tap water. Chemicals in tap water can destroy a battery. You should ONLY top off a battery with distilled water.
Yes, that can be enough to cause a PSD to not start, if one battery is verty weak.
Your batteries should be replaced as pairs.
Yes, that can be enough to cause a PSD to not start, if one battery is verty weak.
Your batteries should be replaced as pairs.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,612
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From: Dunwoody, GA
Just FYI, my fire dept has topped off batteries w/ tap water for years and never had an issue. Using tap water is fine as the time it would take for the chemicals in tap water to corrode a battery would be long after the life of the battery. Most batteries only last 5 years. You may not get the "peak" performance, but you probably won't know the difference unless you are in an extreme cold climate.
If your batteries are leaking then it's time to replace them. Filling them up isn't going to solve the issue, but yes if your batteries were low then it would decrease the amps it can put out.
If your batteries are leaking then it's time to replace them. Filling them up isn't going to solve the issue, but yes if your batteries were low then it would decrease the amps it can put out.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,881
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From: Wake Forest, NC
Anything can break before it is supposed to. Batteries are no different. Some last 2 years some I've seen go 7 or more and be perfect! Your's hasn't just gotten worn out, sounds like it has warped a cell and shorted out.
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Elder User
Joined: May 2007
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From: Carlos, MN
You should only use distilled water in batteries never tap water, especially depending considering the tap water quaility from area to area varies greatly. On top of that tap water if softened has salt in which will cause the water to ionize and become electrically conductive, which will basically short across all the cells in the battery and kill it. The reason they use distilled water is because it's not conductive, and works as an insulator as it should.
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Distilled or deionized water is the way to go when topping batterys.
An old biker trick if your battery goes dead on the road is to get two quarts of water, drink the first and cut the top off the other bottle to use as a funnel. Pour the battery acid into the empty bottle and use the water from the second one to "rinse out" the battery. Pour some water in and shake it around, then dump it out. Use a napkin, paper towel or clean cloth in the bottom of the "funnel" to filter the acid as you pour it back into the battery. I have never had to use this emergency repair myself, but have read about it saving a lot of grief. While this might be a good save while out on your bike, I would NOT recommend trying this on a SD....
An old biker trick if your battery goes dead on the road is to get two quarts of water, drink the first and cut the top off the other bottle to use as a funnel. Pour the battery acid into the empty bottle and use the water from the second one to "rinse out" the battery. Pour some water in and shake it around, then dump it out. Use a napkin, paper towel or clean cloth in the bottom of the "funnel" to filter the acid as you pour it back into the battery. I have never had to use this emergency repair myself, but have read about it saving a lot of grief. While this might be a good save while out on your bike, I would NOT recommend trying this on a SD....