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Motorcycle battery fluid level

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maybe73

Motorcycle battery fluid level

It's so hard for me to see Battery levels to add distilled water. Tried different lighting, shinning flashlight through battery. So I wonder if I could add just a drop or two of food coloring to the battery fluid to be able to see levels? I like red, but what would that do to the chemical properties of the electrolyte? Any body know? Just wondering.

birdmannn101

Re: Motorcycle battery fluid level

Whats wrong with looking down the hole?

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Re: Motorcycle battery fluid level

Administrator

In reply to this post by maybe73

I have heard of people adding food coloring. Never heard of it doing anything bad though. But in this day and age with maintenance free AGM battery's so inexpensive, why would you want to mess with an old unreliable lead acid battery?
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maybe73

Re: Motorcycle battery fluid level

Looking down the hole doesn't tell me depth, but if the plates are completely submerged it should be okay. This is a lead acid battery that was brand new at the end of last summer and I got it for free. Had it on a battery tender since then and it seems to have lost a small amount of fluid, and I have to be very budget minded. Two kids away at college $$$.

LukeM

Re: Motorcycle battery fluid level

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If the case is translucent, you can shine a bright light in from the front or the side. That may give you a good reading on how much water is in each cell.

As long as the plates are covered, and a little more, you should be fine. I'm on my 4th year on my lead acid battery. Last year, when my regulator went bad, it boiled out a bunch of water in the battery. Luckily I refilled it, and after a 20-30 mile ride, it came back to full charge.

Luke M

Used to have a 1979 CB750L, sold it as a parts bike, now riding a slightly modified 1984 VT700C. Network/Field Engineer. Central OH, USA, Earth, Sol System, Milky Way Galaxy, Universe.