Brass Fittings for use with Distilled Water
Ako
Registered Users Posts: 184 ✭✭
Im looking for a way to cut down the time required when topping up my batteries than having to use a funnel , pour water in then remove it , shine a touch in to check level and replete the process a couple of times for each cell .
Today i bought a small water gun with hand trigger so i can control the water flow with one hand while holding a torch in the other to watch the fluid level so making it a single action process .
I am planning using a large plastic container to store about 10 ltrs of distilled water to gravity feed down a plastic tube to the gun . My questions are , can i safely use Brass fittings for the outlet from the tank and the inlet to the plastic gun or would they be unsuitable and possibly contaminate the distilled water and might there be a problem with storing distilled water this way for several months as i normally buy it in smaller quantities and use it within a week or two direct from the container it comes in .
Today i bought a small water gun with hand trigger so i can control the water flow with one hand while holding a torch in the other to watch the fluid level so making it a single action process .
I am planning using a large plastic container to store about 10 ltrs of distilled water to gravity feed down a plastic tube to the gun . My questions are , can i safely use Brass fittings for the outlet from the tank and the inlet to the plastic gun or would they be unsuitable and possibly contaminate the distilled water and might there be a problem with storing distilled water this way for several months as i normally buy it in smaller quantities and use it within a week or two direct from the container it comes in .
2240 Watt Array 4 x 460 Watt Mono Panels + 2 x 200 Watt Panels
Victron Smart 150-70 MPPT Charge Controller
24 volt Battery Bank 4 x 6v 400 Amp/Hr Trojan L16 AGM
LiFePO4 Lithium 100 Amp/Hr Battery for Backup
Victron 1600w Multiplus Compact Inverter/Charger
DC to DC Charger ( Non Isolated )
Victron Smart 150-70 MPPT Charge Controller
24 volt Battery Bank 4 x 6v 400 Amp/Hr Trojan L16 AGM
LiFePO4 Lithium 100 Amp/Hr Battery for Backup
Victron 1600w Multiplus Compact Inverter/Charger
DC to DC Charger ( Non Isolated )
Comments
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From Trojan:
http://www.trojanbattery.com/pdf/TrojanBattery_UsersGuide.pdf
Water Impurity Limits Impurity Parts Per Million Effects of Impurity
Color Clear and “White” -
Suspended Matter Trace -
Total Solids 100 -
Organic and Volatile Matter 50 Corrosion of positive plate
Ammonia 8.0 Slight self-discharge of both plates
Antimony 5.0 Increased self-discharge, reduces life, lower on-charge voltage
Arsenic 0.50 Self-discharge, can form poisonous gas at negative plate
Calcium 40 Increase of positive plate shedding
Chloride 5.0 Loss of capacity in both plates, greater loss on the positive plate
Copper 5.0 Increased self-discharge, lower on-charge voltage
Iron 3.0 Increased self-discharge at both plates, lower on-charge voltage
Magnesium 40 Reduced life
Nickel None Allowed Substantial lowering of on-charge voltage
Nitrates 10 Increased sulfation on the negative plate
Nitrites 5.0 Corrosion of both plates, loss of capacity, reduced life
Platinum None Allowed Increased self-discharge, lower on-charge voltage
Selenium 2.0 Positive plate shedding
Zinc 4.0 Slight self-discharge of negative plate
I would suggest that you do not use brass/copper fittings and pipes with distilled water...
I am not a chemist but distilled water has a "fuzzy" PH (acidity). Since there are no buffering agents (distilled water), it can be kind of acidic and attack the metal fittings.
-BillNear San Francisco California: 3.5kWatt Grid Tied Solar power system+small backup genset -
IMHO, brass should be fine. You could use lead-free potable water fittings if really concerned, but I doubt the difference would matter.Off-grid.
Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter -
NODistilled water is called the Universal Solvent for a reason. It will leach the inside of the tank and tubing.Before you stick the spout in the battery purge the water from the hose, to a bucket for another use. After a couple months, I'd assume the inside of the hose is pretty well leached out and wouldn't have to continue doing it.Powerfab top of pole PV mount | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
|| Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
|| VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A
solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister , -
Long term, brass suffers from dezincification. But no idea of the ppm that would result.
All plastic fittings is best.I am available for custom hardware/firmware development
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Will stick to using plastic fittings then , just need to find the right ones , Spain's not the best place to get things .2240 Watt Array 4 x 460 Watt Mono Panels + 2 x 200 Watt Panels
Victron Smart 150-70 MPPT Charge Controller
24 volt Battery Bank 4 x 6v 400 Amp/Hr Trojan L16 AGM
LiFePO4 Lithium 100 Amp/Hr Battery for Backup
Victron 1600w Multiplus Compact Inverter/Charger
DC to DC Charger ( Non Isolated ) -
@Ako how's the SG situation?1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Battery Bodyguard BMS
Second system 1890W 3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.
5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding. -
Few days and everything seems stable and around where they should be with no more than .01 between cells , been a week sinse i increased the voltage back to where it should be 29.76 so fingers crossed things will remain that way . After i reduced the voltage and toped them up all readings were at the lower end of the 100% ( 1.255 - 1.275 ) for a week but now with correct voltage im seing around 1.265 . Im convinced its that these batteries are being sensitive to water levels when they are operating at higher temperatures .2240 Watt Array 4 x 460 Watt Mono Panels + 2 x 200 Watt Panels
Victron Smart 150-70 MPPT Charge Controller
24 volt Battery Bank 4 x 6v 400 Amp/Hr Trojan L16 AGM
LiFePO4 Lithium 100 Amp/Hr Battery for Backup
Victron 1600w Multiplus Compact Inverter/Charger
DC to DC Charger ( Non Isolated ) -
You should test distilled water for purity. A TDS meter is cheap on ebay.
I am available for custom hardware/firmware development
-
Ako said:Few days and everything seems stable and around where they should be with no more than .01 between cells , been a week sinse i increased the voltage back to where it should be 29.76 so fingers crossed things will remain that way . After i reduced the voltage and toped them up all readings were at the lower end of the 100% ( 1.255 - 1.275 ) for a week but now with correct voltage im seing around 1.265 . Im convinced its that these batteries are being sensitive to water levels when they are operating at higher temperatures .1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Battery Bodyguard BMS
Second system 1890W 3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.
5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding. -
Distilled water should have a pH of 7.0 with 0.0 ppm Total Dissolved Solids. If it varies significantly from that, something is wrong at the distillery. Since I see claims of "triple distillation", I may assume that a few impurities can manage to get through the distillation process.
Don't use a "torch" to check your battery levels. The fumes are pretty flammable. You could lose your eyes and some face material.First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries -
softdown said:
Don't use a "torch" to check your battery levels. The fumes are pretty flammable. You could lose your eyes and some face material.1500W, 6× Schutten 250W Poly panels , Schneider MPPT 60 150 CC, Schneider SW 2524 inverter, 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Battery Bodyguard BMS
Second system 1890W 3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.
5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding. -
mcgivor said:softdown said:
Don't use a "torch" to check your battery levels. The fumes are pretty flammable. You could lose your eyes and some face material.First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries -
mcgivor said:softdown said:
Don't use a "torch" to check your battery levels. The fumes are pretty flammable. You could lose your eyes and some face material.2240 Watt Array 4 x 460 Watt Mono Panels + 2 x 200 Watt Panels
Victron Smart 150-70 MPPT Charge Controller
24 volt Battery Bank 4 x 6v 400 Amp/Hr Trojan L16 AGM
LiFePO4 Lithium 100 Amp/Hr Battery for Backup
Victron 1600w Multiplus Compact Inverter/Charger
DC to DC Charger ( Non Isolated ) -
You folks do know that there is a device called battery filler? saves alot of time... Sorry I had to
"we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
htps://offgridsolar1.com/
E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net -
I already bought one Dave , problem is that they all use the same not adjustable nozzle and fill to less than 2.5cm below the top of the battery , they are fine for car batteries but not for Deep Cycle , Rolls Batteries for instance has a fluid level 4cm from the top of the battery .2240 Watt Array 4 x 460 Watt Mono Panels + 2 x 200 Watt Panels
Victron Smart 150-70 MPPT Charge Controller
24 volt Battery Bank 4 x 6v 400 Amp/Hr Trojan L16 AGM
LiFePO4 Lithium 100 Amp/Hr Battery for Backup
Victron 1600w Multiplus Compact Inverter/Charger
DC to DC Charger ( Non Isolated ) -
Really thanks for telling me that after 25+ years living offgrid.... I think you need to shop around a bit more."we go where power lines don't" Sierra Nevada mountain area
htps://offgridsolar1.com/
E-mail offgridsolar@sti.net -
you could always just slip a piece of vinyl hose over the existing spout cut to the desired length. it will still shut off as before, just at a lower depth.
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Aguarancher said:you could always just slip a piece of vinyl hose over the existing spout cut to the desired length. it will still shut off as before, just at a lower depth.
Actually the vinyl hose would cover the outlet port which is very close to the end of the nozzle in the side so it wouldn't flow at all .
2240 Watt Array 4 x 460 Watt Mono Panels + 2 x 200 Watt Panels
Victron Smart 150-70 MPPT Charge Controller
24 volt Battery Bank 4 x 6v 400 Amp/Hr Trojan L16 AGM
LiFePO4 Lithium 100 Amp/Hr Battery for Backup
Victron 1600w Multiplus Compact Inverter/Charger
DC to DC Charger ( Non Isolated ) -
- I have done it in the past and had it work fine. Maybe put a hole in the tubing over the existing spout if it needs it for a back pressure reference.
- I have done it in the past and had it work fine. Maybe put a hole in the tubing over the existing spout if it needs it for a back pressure reference.
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The part of the spout that the water flows from is only exposed when the large top section with the spring in it becomes depressed , the spout then comes out telescopically by about 7mm . There are 3 different diameter plastic sections and you can see in the photo the telescopic spout is the smallest section and concealed within the 2nd section when not in use , all you can see of of is the small O ring on the end of it that stops the water flow when not in use . Where would you slide a Vinyl tube , if its over the next section then it wouldn't stop the flow because the fluid still has to reach the hole at the bottom of the valve to shut it off , it would continue to flow until it reaches that point . Its the fluid covering the hole at the very end that you can see that stops the flow .
I agree you could make a hole in the vinyl tube to correspond with the outlet hole in the nozzle so the fluid can pass but firstly the large spring loaded section would have to remain permanently depressed to expose the end that does all the work but then how would you overcome the problem of the fluid level still needing to cover the hole , the fluid covering the bottom of the tube when it reaches it wouldn't do it , there would be air in the vinyl tube and air wont stop the flow , it has to be fluid .
https://www.amazon.com/Lumax-LX-1620-Plastic-Battery-Filler/dp/B000MD4YLQ
2240 Watt Array 4 x 460 Watt Mono Panels + 2 x 200 Watt Panels
Victron Smart 150-70 MPPT Charge Controller
24 volt Battery Bank 4 x 6v 400 Amp/Hr Trojan L16 AGM
LiFePO4 Lithium 100 Amp/Hr Battery for Backup
Victron 1600w Multiplus Compact Inverter/Charger
DC to DC Charger ( Non Isolated ) -
mike95490 said:NODistilled water is called the Universal Solvent for a reason. It will leach the inside of the tank and tubing.Before you stick the spout in the battery purge the water from the hose, to a bucket for another use. After a couple months, I'd assume the inside of the hose is pretty well leached out and wouldn't have to continue doing it.2240 Watt Array 4 x 460 Watt Mono Panels + 2 x 200 Watt Panels
Victron Smart 150-70 MPPT Charge Controller
24 volt Battery Bank 4 x 6v 400 Amp/Hr Trojan L16 AGM
LiFePO4 Lithium 100 Amp/Hr Battery for Backup
Victron 1600w Multiplus Compact Inverter/Charger
DC to DC Charger ( Non Isolated ) -
Ako said:I already bought one Dave , problem is that they all use the same not adjustable nozzle and fill to less than 2.5cm below the top of the battery , they are fine for car batteries but not for Deep Cycle , Rolls Batteries for instance has a fluid level 4cm from the top of the battery .First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
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jonr said:Long term, brass suffers from dezincification. But no idea of the ppm that would result.
All plastic fittings is best.Ako said:Will stick to using plastic fittings then , just need to find the right ones , Spain's not the best place to get things .Most plastics leach various chemicals. While still preferable to metals, it isn't as simple as just using plastic. Though I might hazard a guess that plumbing PVC might be generally acceptable. Shoot, everyone used copper pipe for decades while the utilities used iron pipe. Which all beats the Romans with their lead plumbing pipes.First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
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