Can boiled water be used as a substitute for battery water?
3 Answers
Boiled water cannot be used as a substitute for battery water because it contains ions, which can increase the self-discharge of the battery. You can add battery fluid or distilled water instead. Battery water can be replaced with purified water: 1. Definition of battery water: Battery water, also known as electrolyte, is a dilute sulfuric acid solution made from distilled water and sulfuric acid. It reacts with the plates in the battery to facilitate charging and discharging. 2. Overview: Battery water is typically used only in lead-acid batteries. There are two types of battery water: one is supplementary acid solution, and the other is purified or distilled water. High-quality lead-acid batteries are mostly maintenance-free and may not require additional fluid. Electric vehicles generally use maintenance-free lead-acid batteries. 3. Mixing ratio: Battery water is prepared by mixing specialized sulfuric acid with distilled water in a certain proportion, with a density usually ranging from 1.24 to 1.30 grams per cubic centimeter. The specific gravity is 12.75-12.85G/CM3 of sulfuric acid mixed with pure water. If the water in the battery is depleted during use, simply add pure water and charge the battery.
An old friend of mine who works as a car mechanic told me never to use boiled water as battery fluid. Boiled water may leave impurities like calcium and magnesium, which can corrode the battery plates and ruin the entire battery if mixed in. The essence of battery fluid is pure distilled water, which helps maintain a stable concentration of dilute sulfuric acid. Adding boiled water disrupts this balance, leading to difficulties in starting the car at best, or short circuits and fires at worst. Once, while helping a neighbor check his car, I found out he had done just that, resulting in the battery dying prematurely and costing him over a thousand yuan to replace. So, it's best to keep some distilled water from the supermarket on hand or go directly to a 4S shop for refills. Safety first—don't cut corners to save a little money or effort.
As a chemistry enthusiast, I must emphasize that using boiled water as a substitute for battery fluid is a major mistake. Ordinary water, after boiling, may contain ionic precipitates, and these impurities can contaminate the acidic environment inside the battery, leading to reduced conductivity and accelerated corrosion. Batteries require pure distilled water to maintain the dilution of the electrolyte; otherwise, an imbalance in concentration can drastically shorten the battery's lifespan. I recall seeing experimental records showing that adding boiled water causes voltage instability within just a few days, often resulting in breakdowns mid-drive. I recommend always checking the maintenance manual and using the specified distilled water for top-ups. Don't underestimate this small action—it affects the entire vehicle's performance. If distilled water isn't available, even adding some mineral water as an emergency measure is better than using boiled water.
