Interstate Offramp

[Coydon]

After a year of abuse and neglect, I finally picked up a tester and some distilled water and checked on my Interstate GC2 ECL-UTLs. All cells had water above the plates, and all tested in the middle of the green section except for one at the edge of yellow. It was the first one tested and when I went back to confirm at the end it showed a third into the green, so not sure if there was just some oil or something on the new hydrometer that gave an off reading.

I went online to see the manufacturer recommendation for fluid levels. The Interstate site gives no specific info on the product page. It refers to a 'local' specialist to call. Lots of enthusiasm there, not much in the way of helpful info.

I've dealt with starter FLA batteries before and they have had some sort of markings on the side of the semi transparent case for max and min. These GC2s have completely opaque cases and I can barely make out fluid if I drop or touch something into it. The company guy said anything above the plates is fine. Is the bottom of the opening the actual 'max' mark? Seems to me the closer I run them to the plates, the more likely they are to boil too far down between checks, so I should have them close to max. Does relative level between cells matter?

 

[OzSolar]

If the plates are covered then don't add any water until you've fully charged them or you risk a mess when then get fully charged.

The bottom of the "fill well" is as high as you want the level.

 

[Coydon]

Thanks. I was testing them while at full charge. The hydometer instructions nor the website I followed mentioned state of charge, what would I see if I did it after discharging to 50% or so? Does it matter if I disconnect the solar charger before taking measurements?

I'm guessing I should fill the cells up to near the bottom of the well while they are in a state of full charge then?

 

[nycamper62]

Thanks. I was testing them while at full charge. The hydometer instructions nor the website I followed mentioned state of charge, what would I see if I did it after discharging to 50% or so? Does it matter if I disconnect the solar charger before taking measurements?

I'm guessing I should fill the cells up to near the bottom of the well while they are in a state of full charge then?

Everytime I test my bank cells I give the hydrometer about three passes. Reason being well just to make sure and those things are plastic, jazz can get hung up. No need to disconnect the controller. The hydrometer tests the health (weight) of the cell not the charge.