Battery Overcharge

[j30t_Dan]

I am getting some residue on my posts. Apparently i am getting a slight overcharge on my battery and its boiling over. I clean them every couple weeks and make sure my battery is full till just over the copper but its getting tiresome. Anyone have ideas on problem solving. Little disconcerting given the price of gas, would like the car not to be doing extra work.

[gr8scott72]

I am getting some residue on my posts. Apparently i am getting a slight overcharge on my battery and its boiling over. I clean them every couple weeks and make sure my battery is full till just over the copper but its getting tiresome. Anyone have ideas on problem solving. Little disconcerting given the price of gas, would like the car not to be doing extra work.

What does a volt meter show while the car is running?

[j30t_Dan]

haha tried... says norms

[GerryO]

haha tried... says norms

?? Tried what?

A battery that requires filling? I didn't know they still sold those.

Over the copper? Filling with distilled water?

Should be a lead/acid battery with plates that are dull grey in color.

Clean your posts and cables again, re-connect things and spray some WD40 on things and look at replacing/insulating the top hold-down from the battery case.
Modified by GerryO at 9:54 PM 10/29/2008

[gr8scott72]

haha tried... says norms

Volt meters show volts. How many volts are across the two battery posts while the car is running? 12 volts? 14 volts?

[GerryO]

Exercise caution with those probes sparkey.

Have the specific gravity of your battery filling solution (caution: sulfuric acid) checked.

Each cell contains (in the charged state) electrodes of lead metal (Pb) and lead (IV) dioxide (PbO2) in an electrolyte of about 33.5% v/v (6 Molar) sulphuric acid (H2SO4). In the discharged state both electrodes turn into lead(II) sulfate (PbSO4) and the electrolyte loses its dissolved sulphuric acid and becomes primarily water. Due to the freezing-point depression of water, as the battery discharges and the concentration of sulphuric acid decreases, the electrolyte is more likely to freeze. Because of the open cells with liquid electrolyte in most lead-acid batteries, overcharging with excessive charging voltages will generate oxygen and hydrogen gas by electrolysis of water, forming an explosive mix. The acid electrolyte is also corrosive.

or invest in a maintenance-free battery, at which time they (Sears) should evaluate your charging system for free?
Modified by GerryO at 3:10 PM 10/30/2008

[yodawill2000]

lol

reminds me of an ole Aggie Joke.They separate the post on car battery's so an Aggie wont kill himself seeing if its charged. hehe

(Picture the tongue test on a 9 volt)

[j30t_Dan]

Exercise caution with those probes sparkey.

Have the specific gravity of your battery filling solution (caution: sulfuric acid) checked.

Each cell contains (in the charged state) electrodes of lead metal (Pb) and lead (IV) dioxide (PbO2) in an electrolyte of about 33.5% v/v (6 Molar) sulphuric acid (H2SO4). In the discharged state both electrodes turn into lead(II) sulfate (PbSO4) and the electrolyte loses its dissolved sulphuric acid and becomes primarily water. Due to the freezing-point depression of water, as the battery discharges and the concentration of sulphuric acid decreases, the electrolyte is more likely to freeze. Because of the open cells with liquid electrolyte in most lead-acid batteries, overcharging with excessive charging voltages will generate oxygen and hydrogen gas by electrolysis of water, forming an explosive mix. The acid electrolyte is also corrosive.

or invest in a maintenance-free battery, at which time they (Sears) should evaluate your charging system for free?

Modified by GerryO at 3:10 PM 10/30/2008

Yea I was reading low voltage... Mechanic ran the volts for me. He grabbed a battery and redid the test and said it might overcharge, however if i get res I should just ignore it and clean it off with water and a post cleaner. Problem fixed Thanks for the help Gerry