Dang Battery Leak

[BudTX]

I did a radiator flush and fill last weekend, and after I got everything wrapped up I topped off my washer fluid reservoir. Fluid ran out onto the ground when the level got about 1/2 way up the filler neck.

It was then that I noticed some corrosion on the positive terminal wire of the driver's side battery, and figured that the POS Everstart battery (2 years old) was leaking and ate into the fluid reservoir

Tonight I pulled the battery, and sure enough it was leaking. It corroded the battery tray, and ate a hole in the tube that runs from the washer fluid reservoir to the pump at the wiper, but not the reservoir itself

I removed and cleaned the battery tray and the washer fluid reservoir (that reservoir is certainly securely attached to everything in the vicinity), and cut out about 2" of the corroded washer fluid line. I spliced a sleeve over the line with some siphon tubing that I had, and used mini zip ties to hold it all together.

I need to get some better batteries this weekend.

Does anyone have experience with a battery that will not end up leaking?

 

[ak diesel driver]

I bought some top of the line diehard AGM batts for my plow truck I like them better than my Optimas

 

[btfarm]

Truth be told, I've gotten long life out of the batts from wallyworld.

 

[BudTX]

These Everstarts were from Wallyworld.

 

[whatnot]

Everstarts are made by Johnson Controls. Almost every brand you find will be. They usually have their name at the bottom of the label but I don't think it always is.

 

[btfarm]

These Everstarts were from Wallyworld.

nevermind...:nonod:

 

[Pepperidge]

I have optima reds...they never leaked... but I did have one go bad after about 7 years... If they ever need replacing I will go with the yellow tops...

...or maybe some other if I read some good information in this thread...

 

[RI Chevy Silveradoman]

DEKA makes batteries in the USA, in Pennsylvania.

http://www.dekabatteries.com/

AGM
http://www.dekabatteries.com/assets/base/1143.pdf

I still have my original batteries, but I have heard good things about these.

On edit, I found this interesting info about spiral gel batteries.



http://www.windsun.com/Batteries/Battery_FAQ.htm#Gelled electrolyte

Gelled electrolyte

Gelled batteries, or "Gel Cells" contain acid that has been "gelled" by the addition of Silica Gel, turning the acid into a solid mass that looks like gooey Jell-O. The advantage of these batteries is that it is impossible to spill acid even if they are broken. However, there are several disadvantages. One is that they must be charged at a slower rate (C/20) to prevent excess gas from damaging the cells. They cannot be fast charged on a conventional automotive charger or they may be permanently damaged. This is not usually a problem with solar electric systems, but if an auxiliary generator or inverter bulk charger is used, current must be limited to the manufacturers specifications. Most better inverters commonly used in solar electric systems can be set to limit charging current to the batteries.

Some other disadvantages of gel cells is that they must be charged at a lower voltage (2/10th's less) than flooded or AGM batteries. If overcharged, voids can develop in the gel which will never heal, causing a loss in battery capacity. In hot climates, water loss can be enough over 2-4 years to cause premature battery death. It is for this and other reasons that we no longer sell any of the gelled cells except for replacement use. The newer AGM (absorbed glass mat) batteries have all the advantages (and then some) of gelled, with none of the disadvantages.
AGM, or Absorbed Glass Mat Batteries

A newer type of sealed battery uses "Absorbed Glass Mats", or AGM between the plates. This is a very fine fiber Boron-Silicate glass mat. These type of batteries have all the advantages of gelled, but can take much more abuse. We sell the Concorde (and Lifeline, made by Concorde) AGM batteries. These are also called "starved electrolyte", as the mat is about 95% saturated rather than fully soaked. That also means that they will not leak acid even if broken.
AGM batteries have several advantages over both gelled and flooded, at about the same cost as gelled:

Since all the electrolyte (acid) is contained in the glass mats, they cannot spill, even if broken. This also means that since they are non-hazardous, the shipping costs are lower. In addition, since there is no liquid to freeze and expand, they are practically immune from freezing damage.

Nearly all AGM batteries are "recombinant" - what that means is that the Oxygen and Hydrogen recombine INSIDE the battery. These use gas phase transfer of oxygen to the negative plates to recombine them back into water while charging and prevent the loss of water through electrolysis. The recombining is typically 99+% efficient, so almost no water is lost.

The charging voltages are the same as for any standard battery - no need for any special adjustments or problems with incompatible chargers or charge controls. And, since the internal resistance is extremely low, there is almost no heating of the battery even under heavy charge and discharge currents. The Concorde (and most AGM) batteries have no charge or discharge current limits.

AGM's have a very low self-discharge - from 1% to 3% per month is usual. This means that they can sit in storage for much longer periods without charging than standard batteries. The Concorde batteries can be almost fully recharged (95% or better) even after 30 days of being totally discharged.

AGM's do not have any liquid to spill, and even under severe overcharge conditions hydrogen emission is far below the 4% max specified for aircraft and enclosed spaces. The plates in AGM's are tightly packed and rigidly mounted, and will withstand shock and vibration better than any standard battery.

Even with all the advantages listed above, there is still a place for the standard flooded deep cycle battery. AGM's will cost 2 to 3 times as much as flooded batteries of the same capacity. In many installations, where the batteries are set in an area where you don't have to worry about fumes or leakage, a standard or industrial deep cycle is a better economic choice. AGM batteries main advantages are no maintenance, completely sealed against fumes, Hydrogen, or leakage, non-spilling even if they are broken, and can survive most freezes. Not everyone needs these features.

 

[Mad Maxx]

I have Odyssey's and they are Awesome.

When these Crap Out, I'm gonna get some XS Power ones. They are a lil Smaller than the Odyssey's, but put Out more Power.

 

[SfcJones]

I am using the Exide Optima's, no issues at all.

 

[THEFERMANATOR]

I know I need to get some new batteries as well. I put in 2 new DURALAST GOLD's last year(I traded in 2 78's for 2 75's and it only cost me $30 after pro-rate warranty), and I've got the wonderful white corrsion all over my battery trays now after only a year. I don't need to be digging in and fixing electrical because of crappola batteries. I may go with CARQUEST batteries next time around. I know DURALAST is now made by JOHNSON CONTROLS, the same people who make the wonderful batteries for WAL-MART(a red top DURALAST is the same as a WAL-MART regular battery, and there MAX-START is the same as a yellow top). Would like to find some AGM's as I know they are some good batteries, but can be quirky about overcharging if your not careful.

 

[RI Chevy Silveradoman]

Interesting: I just went and looked at my OEM Original batteries again, and it states 7 yr battery on the cover. They are AC Delco.