Repro battery charge question

[Garry Barnes]

I have a reproduction battery (bought from restoration battery) for my '56 and have had it on a battery minder system for several months now while doing a frame off. Periodically it seems as though one of the cells boils over and leaves water on top of the battery. It seems to always be the same cell. Am I headed for trouble with this battery or is this normal? I also don't want it to leak after getting the car back together and spraying battery water and acid all over the engine compartment. Any thoughts? Thanks.
Garry

[Craig S.]

Re: Repro battery charge question

Garry - that would be acid not water on top of the battery....it is possible that cell has too high an acid level. If you can remove the cap and check compared to the other cells, I would. If high, draw some out with a syringe or suction unit of some sort. If the level looks Ok.......I would think about a different battery...it is not worth corrosion in the car.....Craig

[Garry Barnes]

Re: Repro battery charge question

Craig, thanks for you response. I do have a gauge that draws up some of the fluid and is suppose to detect the level of acidity in the battery. I will try this and see what I can find. Do you think I should disconnect this battery minder in the meantime? The way these things cycle on and off, it shouldn't make a difference right?

[Craig S.]

Re: Repro battery charge question

I would just disconnect it until you see if the cell level is too high. And, you are right, the specific gravity can be checked with the tool you mention, giving you an overall wellness state of the cells and charge...Craig

[Ron Hambrecht]

Re: Repro battery charge question

Sounds like that cell was overfilled.