Dry battery. Can I add distilled water?

zac808 · 08-02-2010, 10:07 PM

I've been having charging problems with my battery since I bought it. Today I took the caps off and the battery is completely dry. Could this be my problem? What do you think about adding distilled water to it?

LEOGM5150 · 08-02-2010, 10:17 PM

i think that is for radiators. i think batteries need the acid from the packs that come with them.

ssjeff · 08-02-2010, 10:57 PM

yes you can add distilled water but the acid would probably be better. We add water to our batteries all the time at work and when I was in the military. In fact that was a PMcheck we had to do.

huskyrider · 08-03-2010, 12:36 AM

Wouldn't hurt to have it checked, you also may be over charging. Or maybe just adding the water will take care of it. Put a voltmeter on it and check the charge volts with it running.

dcc1089 · 08-03-2010, 12:52 AM

Honestly, you should replace the battery and thoroughly check out your charging system. Batteries just don't go dry on their own. Either it has a leak in the case, wasn't filled properly when you bought it, or your charging system is over-charging the battery causing the electrolite to boil off. If you have had issues with it from the start, I would just go ahead and replace it. These smaller lead-acid batteries aren't as durable as larger ones, like car batteries. Once they start showing problems (like not holding a charge), chances are the damage is done and it will never be right.

LEOGM5150 · 08-03-2010, 01:06 AM

i have been told my whole life that you can restore auto batteries with distilled water. i have never had one last very long after the fill up. i have restored many batteries as good as new with spare battery acid from new batteries. just my experience.

ssjeff · 08-03-2010, 06:50 AM

The acid is diluted with water. The water in the acid will evaporate over time. It is very normal. You could have issues with the system like mentioned above and it boiled the battery dry. Like Leo said, if you can get acid, use it.

if you use tap water the minerals will cause corrosion on the plates. that will lead all sorts of issues. You can see through some of the battery walls and see white spots. Those are corrosion spots.

These Polaris batteries are some of the best small batteries i have ever had. Most of my motorcycle batteries only last a year in my Triumphs.

08-02-2010, 10:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
zac808 Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: North Las Vegas Posts: 72	Dry battery. Can I add distilled water? I've been having charging problems with my battery since I bought it. Today I took the caps off and the battery is completely dry. Could this be my problem? What do you think about adding distilled water to it?

08-02-2010, 10:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
LEOGM5150 Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Powell Posts: 4,620	i think that is for radiators. i think batteries need the acid from the packs that come with them. __________________ 2007 OUTLAW 525 IRS 2001 400 TWO STROKE SCRAMBLER

08-02-2010, 10:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
ssjeff Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 8,085	yes you can add distilled water but the acid would probably be better. We add water to our batteries all the time at work and when I was in the military. In fact that was a PMcheck we had to do. __________________ Visit the new Polaris Tech Site www.POLARISPROS.com Established Sept 2010 I do not ride with a driver that text messages while driving, say NO also and put this in your signature. 2009CUSTOM OUTLAW525XCR8/06 CAM 2009 OUTLAW525IRS 8/33 CAM Outlaw How to Section

08-03-2010, 12:36 AM	#4 (permalink)
huskyrider Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: armstrong co. Posts: 263	Wouldn't hurt to have it checked, you also may be over charging. Or maybe just adding the water will take care of it. Put a voltmeter on it and check the charge volts with it running. __________________ 08 OUTLAW 525 S trail tech endurancewilson racing fox shoxtwin airMaierR.E.MPRM desert frontPRM 6 pack HMF QRS**

08-03-2010, 12:52 AM	#5 (permalink)
dcc1089 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Edwards AFB Posts: 1,228	Honestly, you should replace the battery and thoroughly check out your charging system. Batteries just don't go dry on their own. Either it has a leak in the case, wasn't filled properly when you bought it, or your charging system is over-charging the battery causing the electrolite to boil off. If you have had issues with it from the start, I would just go ahead and replace it. These smaller lead-acid batteries aren't as durable as larger ones, like car batteries. Once they start showing problems (like not holding a charge), chances are the damage is done and it will never be right. __________________ 2009 outlaw 525S Rath +3 Rear Hubs, PEP Shocks (built by Rath), Flexx bars, Hiper Wheels, Razr 2 Tires, Pro Armor Kill Switch, Trail Tech Dash and Vapor Computer, HMF Exhaust,Rath Nerfs and PRM Bumper/Grab Bars... more pending $$$ 2005 Pred Twin Air clamp-on, Edelbrock, Rath A-arms, Dyna FS, P&P cylinder head (Nicholas Cycle), Rath Head Pipe, Yoshimura slip-on, Pro Armor nerfs, JE 12.5:1 Piston, Trail Tech Dash and Endurance Computer, Home made radiator scoops and chassis skid, PRM Bumper and Grab Bar, 5hp sticker removal, and many custom scratches and minor cracks!!

08-03-2010, 01:06 AM	#6 (permalink)
LEOGM5150 Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Powell Posts: 4,620	i have been told my whole life that you can restore auto batteries with distilled water. i have never had one last very long after the fill up. i have restored many batteries as good as new with spare battery acid from new batteries. just my experience. __________________ 2007 OUTLAW 525 IRS 2001 400 TWO STROKE SCRAMBLER

08-03-2010, 06:50 AM	#7 (permalink)
ssjeff Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 8,085	The acid is diluted with water. The water in the acid will evaporate over time. It is very normal. You could have issues with the system like mentioned above and it boiled the battery dry. Like Leo said, if you can get acid, use it. if you use tap water the minerals will cause corrosion on the plates. that will lead all sorts of issues. You can see through some of the battery walls and see white spots. Those are corrosion spots. These Polaris batteries are some of the best small batteries i have ever had. Most of my motorcycle batteries only last a year in my Triumphs. __________________ Visit the new Polaris Tech Site www.POLARISPROS.com Established Sept 2010 I do not ride with a driver that text messages while driving, say NO also and put this in your signature. 2009CUSTOM OUTLAW525XCR8/06 CAM 2009 OUTLAW525IRS 8/33 CAM Outlaw How to Section