Educate me on battery acid

[TnAndy]

I guess here as good a place as any to post this.

About 12-15 years back, I bought a battery from a local place for my previous tractor. They got them in dry, and added the acid to them there. I asked about buying one dry with acid separate, guy said sure, I'll sell it that way. So I bought the additional one, and a 'box' (plastic bag inside) of acid.

Year or so ago, I notice the 'box' was leaking acid, not much, but it told me the bag was breaking down, so I poured the acid into a couple of gallon glass jugs. It came out to 1 and 1/2 gallons. Might have lost a few ounces, if that, to the leak, it wasn't much.

So now I could use the battery, and have the following questions I can't ask the place I bought it since they have closed and gone. (Yes...I realize that would have been prudent to find out in advance.... )

1. Looks like WAY more liquid in the 1 1/2 gallons than that size battery could hold (but maybe it isn't).


2. How I would know if the acid is the proper strength to pour directly in the battery, or does it need to be diluted with water to some point. I assume I can use a hygrometer (?) or something to test what is in the jug, and what reading should it be to go in the battery.


Thanks !

 

[Billrog]

Just put the acid in the battery and add water if necessary. That's all there is to it.

 

[TnAndy]

So you're saying the liquid I have is the proper ratio of acid/water ?

Pretty sure that gallon & half will more than fill the battery give the size it is.

Additional question: Will the battery have to be charged after filling ? I have a charger that will do 2amp/10amp/50amp. What setting to use IF it does need charging after filling ?

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Sulfuric acid is fickle. Adding water to concentrated sulfuric acid can cause an exothermic reaction that is basically an explosion, that will blow acid and water everywhere. It gets REALLY hot. In the lab, we were taught to pour the acid into the water, instead of the other way around. Sulfuric can, and will blind you and burn you before you can get it off. Don't get it on you, and especially don't get it in your eyes.

 

[TnAndy]

Sulfuric acid is fickle. Adding water to concentrated sulfuric acid can cause an exothermic reaction that is basically an explosion, that will blow acid and water everywhere. It gets REALLY hot. In the lab, we were taught to pour the acid into the water, instead of the other way around. Sulfuric can, and will blind you and burn you before you can get it off. Don't get it on you, and especially don't get it in your eyes.

Yeah I remember high school chemistry....acid into water, not water into acid.

 

[LouNY]

Battery acid as delivered in the container is ready to use, don't dilute it.
Fill your battery to the proper level.
You should take a few precautions while handling the acid,
it will burn you and eat clothes and flesh for that mater.
Pour carefully rinse will anything that it gets spilled on.
The battery should be ready to use after filling it.
Usually charging is not required prior to use.

 

[TnAndy]

Thank you sir !

 

[KennyG]

The battery acid you were given should already be diluted to the proper concentration. Fill the battery to the marked full level. Battery acid is about 30% sulfuric acid, if I recall. Clearly dangerous and should be handled with care, but not high enough concentration to cause a reaction if water is added. You may have more acid than you need because it was a standard package and has enough for the largest batteries.

After the acid is added, the battery will have a charge. However, I would probably give it a slow charge for several hours. If your battery charger has an automatic setting that will monitor the battery and taper the charge, that would be ideal.

Your next question would be how to dispose of any leftover acid. (Once the battery is filled, you never add more acid, only water.) The leftover acid can be diluted and put down the drain. Even though your acid is already diluted, dilute if further by pouring a small amount of acid into a large amount of water. (No matter what the concentration never pour water into acid.) Eye protection and rubber gloves are recommended when doing anything with acid.

 

[RNeumann]

OTC 4619 Professional Battery Hydrometer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0050SFVHO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_.1oxCb94Z0QG8

This old school but since you are in that mode......

 

[Tractor Seabee]

If I remember right a hydrometer measurement varies with the state of charge. As the battery discharges the specific gravity of the acid drops. It then rises until fully charged. In the early days of lead acid batteries they were tested with a hydrometer and compared on a chart to determine level of charge. Not possible with sealed batteries. The acid concentration varies by manufacturer and type. Acid maintained in a airtight container that is matched to the battery should be OK. If the water fraction has evaporated and concentrated you can ruin your battery. To be safe you need to know the original specific gravity of the acid. From your story of the leaking container I would suspicion that the breakdown of the plastic and the leaking has changed the acid concentration somewhat and added impurities from the action on the plastic. Don' be surprised if things do not come out good. You may luck out, worth trying. LOL

Ron