Boiling water in my battery

[Dray]

I was charging my battery the other day.  I went out to the garage to check on it and heard a noise.  I put my ear closer to the battery and heard a bubbling sound.  It sounded like the water inside the battery was boiling.  It kind of freaked me out.  Is that normal?

[JimS]

Yes, that is normal.  You will some gassing as the battery charges.  This helps to mix the electrolite.  As long as it is not boiling the battery to the point that the plates are exposed, you are OK.

[Jim K in PA]

That gas is Hydrogen, so make sure the battery is in a well ventilated area and there is no ignition sources nearby.  The H2 gas WILL explode if in high enough concentration.  BTDT.

Also, batteries should only off-gas during a de-sulfation charge phase, and that is not necessary all the time.  Just make sure you refill the electrolyte like Jim says.  You can boil them dry by over charging, which will shorten it's life.

[ForestCreature]

When you do top off the battery, be sure to use purified water not regular tap water.

[wavery]

When you do top off the battery, be sure to use purified water not regular tap water.

"Distilled water" not purified water (unless it's purified water like they use in nuclear reactors....$$$$$$...). Big difference. Distilled water has no minerals in it. Purified water from the grocery store does. The minerals are not good in the battery and will cause plate failure.

I think Marcy knew that and just got her tongue a little tangled there.......

[ForestCreature]

"Distilled water" not purified water (unless it's purified water like they use in nuclear reactors....$$$$$$...). Big difference. Distilled water has no minerals in it. Purified water from the grocery store does. The minerals are not good in the battery and will cause plate failure.

I think Marcy knew that and just got her tongue a little tangled there.......

Yes she did know that, thanks for untwisting it for me :banghead:

[LACamper]

+1 on NOT charging in the garage... I know someone that ended up loosing a detached garage a few years ago charging his boat batteries.

[oreo57]

"Distilled water" not purified water (unless it's purified water like they use in nuclear reactors....$$$$$$...). Big difference. Distilled water has no minerals in it. Purified water from the grocery store does. The minerals are not good in the battery and will cause plate failure.[/SIZE]

I think Marcy knew that and just got her tongue a little tangled there.......

[/SIZE]
 
 
Look here

[wavery]

 
 
Look here

It's the "range of purities" that is the problem. The less expensive the "Purified water" the more minerals (metals) that it contains. Typical grocery store "purified water" has the chlorine, most bacteria etc removed but the minerals remain because it is sold as drinking water and the minerals are what give water it's taste.  "Purified" is often a marketing word, like "Narural"........what the heck does "Natural" mean ? Isn't EVERYTHING "Natural" (meaning, coming from Nature).