Unusual Loss of Battery Electrolyte
I have two 12-volt batteries that I removed from my trailer, topped off the electrolyte, and put on a trickle charger in my garage around mid-October. They are about 2 1/2 years old. I checked the charge level and electrolyte level around Dec 1st. The charge level was 13.25 volts (when disconnected from the charger), and 9 of the 12 cells showed essentially no electrolyte usage. However, 3 cells on one battery (call them #4, #5, and #6 counting from the left) had used about 1/8 inch of electrolyte. (It was still well above the top of the plates.)
I topped off the electrolyte in the 3 low cells and reconnected the charger. Today (about 5 weeks later) I checked the charge level and electrolyte level again. Charge was still 13.25 volts, and once again the same 3 cells were about 1/8 inch low.
Last winter I left the batteries on the charger while we went south for 3 months, and when we got back, all of the cells were down just a little - maybe 1/16 of an inch. This year, I think the 3 cells are losing electrolyte too fast to leave on the charger while we are out-of-town.
Has anyone seen this type of uneven electrolyte usage? Does anyone know what this says about the condition of the battery?
Thanks
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2011 Keystone Cougar 24RKS
2007 Cadillac Escalade
Prodigy P2 Brake Controller
Past Trailer:
Forest River R-POD RP-175
Past Tow Vehicle:
2008 Toyota Sienna
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