Accidental tilt of lead-acid battery

[popotla]

My LR handbook states “Keep the battery upright at all times- damage will be caused if the battery is tilted more than 45 degrees”. Mothing there about can, might or may. It’s definite, they say.

My sealed, lead-acid Delphi was on its end (i.e. perpendiculat, terminals pointing sideways) for about 10-15 seconds, so it sounds like I’ve damaged it. If so, what might that damage be?

[Bundalene]

As long as nothing leaked out it should be fine



Erich

[Toxic_Avenger]

The acid leaks out and can damage paint, corrode panels and electrics.

[DiscoMick]

If nothing leaked out, and it wasn't connected, then I think there should not be a problem. You could put it on your charger and give it a bit of multi-stage therapy and then see if it holds the charge.

[CraigE]

Being a sealed unit and only for a short period of time it should be fine.

[drivesafe]

Hi popotia, “sealed” batteries are not totally sealed and have overflow cambers in the lid of the battery.

As such, even if you did not have any spillage, you may have caused electrolyte to flow into these cambers and then when the battery was place back upright, the electrolyte may have flow back into different cells.

This could mean some of the cells now have to much electrolyte in them but more dangerously, some cells may now have exposed plates, and this can be exceptionally dangerous if you apply a charge or a load to this battery.

There are a number of things you can do to see if the battery is still able to be used.

It would pay you to send an e-mail to the MANUFACTURER and get the correct safety info from them.

Alternatively, and I am not sure of the top of a Delphi battery but many “sealed” batteries have large screw plugs which can be unscrewed with a large flat bladed screwdriver.

If your battery has these screw plugs, try removing them and then inspect each cell and see if the electrolyte is evenly distributed in each cell and that the plates in EVERY cell are covered with electrolyte.

NOTE, YOU MUST WEAR SAFETY GLASSES WHILE WORKING ON THE BATTERY.

If the cells are at uneven levels, DO NOT top the lower cells up with water.

You will need to get some electrolyte from a battery supplier and this may be a problem as most, for safety reasons will normally not supply raw electrolyte.

But you may be able to take the battery to a battery centre and see if they can check and fix the battery’s electrolyte for you. But make sure the plugs are secured back in place properly before you move the battery.

[p38arover]

If the cells are at uneven levels, DO NOT top the lower cells up with water.

You will need to get some electrolyte from a battery supplier and this may be a problem as most, for safety reasons will normally not supply raw electrolyte

A mechanic, or someone with a battery hydrometer, should be able suck up some excess electrolyte and put it back into the low cells thus equalising the levels.

[BMKal]

A mechanic, or someone with a battery hydrometer, should be able suck up some excess electrolyte and put it back into the low cells thus equalising the levels.

Or you can do it yourself with a simple drinking straw.

No - you don't "suck it up" like you would a milkshake.

Hold your thumb over the end of the straw and use it like a pipette. Have done it myself more than once without a problem.

[Chucaro]

Or you can do it yourself with a simple drinking straw.

No - you don't "suck it up" like you would a milkshake.

Hold your thumb over the end of the straw and use it like a pipette. Have done it myself more than once without a problem.

Serve it with or without ice ?

[DiscoMick]

If you still know in which direction the battery tipped, I suppose you could tip it in the opposite direction, hoping fluid might flow back.