Date:         Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:46:31 -0600
Reply-To:     mcneely4@COX.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: NVC Small battery question
Comments: To: pat <psdooley@VERIZON.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <0LZX003R09M39G51@vms173013.mailsrvcs.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

---- pat <psdooley@VERIZON.NET> wrote:
>
> Regardless, today I emptied out most of the acid heeding Mcneely's advice
> and added distilled water.  Let her charge for a few hours and tried again.
> This time the motor would turn over a complete revolution and quit.  Little
> better but still no good.

Just to clarify.  the battery is likely bad otherwise as others have commented and you have found by trying to use it.  But, emptying out the acid and adding water would not cure the problem of having the acid too strong.  To have the right strength, when you found the fluid low in the battery, you should have added distilled water then.  By emptying later, you are just as likely to now have acid that is too weak.  to solve this particular problem now, one would need to empty the battery, rinse the cells with distilled water, and fill with proper strength fluid.

but it sounds like you need a new battery.  if you have extra proper strength acid handy, you might try your attempt again, after rinsing and refilling.  After all, what are you going to do with leftover battery acid.  Not something one wants setting around the shop or home.

mcneely